What is Brain Integration therapy (BIT)?
Many people struggle with learning and being able to balance their emotions. "When your brain works in multiple pieces instead of one unit, you may have a harder time with the following: reading, writing, hearing, organization, remembering, and balancing your emotions." If we repattern the brain to work as a single unit, then learning will become much easier for the individual. Think of the brain as a multilane highway. When all lanes are open, traffic moves at an optimal level. However, when you close only one lane, traffic still flows, but slower and less efficiently. Same can be said for the brain. With BIT we use eye accessing cues and other modalities to retrain the brain to work together and more efficiently. The brain is an amazing organ and has the ability to change itself based on experience. We call this "brain plasticity". There are two types of brain plasticity: functional and structural. With functional brain plasticity the brain has the ability to move functions from a damaged area of the brain to an undamaged area. With structural brain plasticity it is able to change its physical structure from learning. With BIT we are able to rewire the brain to make these learning struggles become more manageable.
About MindRevival
Meet Michelle/Owner
Michelle is a military spouse to her husband Ryan and a mother of three wonderful children. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration and is Certified in Brain Integration. Her passion in Brain Integration began when her son completed brain integration and she saw that it helped him tremendously. Her passion has grown exponentially with helping in the Veterans Trauma Court. She offers Brain Integration for adults and children.
how bit works
How MindRevival Brain Integration Works
Brain Integration is a holistic approach to promote whole brain function. Brain Integration Therapy is a merging of applied kinesiology, learning theory, trauma theory, and acupressure as well as other modalities. We use eye accessing cues that come out of the research that Neuro-linguistic programming and others did. Where your eyes look, indicates what region of the brain is being accessed. It has been proven to help with dyslexia, ADD, handwriting, and coordination problems associated with learning disabilities in most children and adults. It is effective in memory, learning, processing issues, trauma, TBI’s, PTSD, stress, anxiety and panic disorders.
People who struggle with emotions or learning, have learned to use their brain in pieces instead of as a single unit. When your brain is working as a single unit then reading, writing, hearing, memory, and organizing will become much easier. With this therapy we teach all parts of the brain to work together more efficiently. In each session we will determine the area in which work must be done by using applied kinesiology. Next, we set the objective and complete the designated activity for the objective. The last step we utilize is the “Cross Crawl” activity to activate both hemispheres in the brain at the same time while having your eyes look in certain areas to activate different parts of the brain. By using this process, it allows the electrical pathways to open up in the brain which will help the brain to work as a single unit. Ten to fifteen sessions are needed.
Who needs bit?
Anyone can benefit from Brain Integration, however those who have learning struggles that are affecting their lives should consider BIT. We work with occupational therapists, speech therapists, and other therapists who help with learning struggles.
Signs of Brain Processing Difficulties
· Those who study hard but can't remember the answers to a test
· Generally disorganized
· Trouble with self-expression whether it is written or spoken
· Inability to stay on task or have a difficult time moving from one task to another
· Easily overwhelmed
· Delayed speech
· Excessive craving for sugar
· Frequently falling or bumping into things
· Trouble with rhythm
Visual processing issues
· Skip lines or words when reading
· Reversing letters when writing or reading
· Have difficulty hitting and catching a ball
· Car sickness
· Have a difficult time making pictures in their minds of what they are reading
Auditory Processing Issues
· Have a difficult time following spoken directions
· Cannot hear their own silent voice when reading
· Have a difficult time doing mental math
· Are easily confused and have a hard time controlling their temper
· Trouble with phonetics and spelling
· Those who move their lips when they read
Hand/Eye Coordination Issues
· Poor spacing when writing
· Poor handwriting
· Trouble holding a pencil
· Clumsy and have a difficult time with left vs. right
· Difficult time copying work from one place to another (i.e., white board to paper)
· Trouble moving from printing to cursive
The above information was taken from Dr. Paul Dennison's book, Switching On, p.113
HOW CAN BIT HELP OUR MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS?
Brain Integration Therapy has been able to help those who serve or who have served in the military. Those who have developed PTSD, emotional trauma, TBI, anxiety, sleep issues, and have a difficult time regulating emotions should consider Brain Integration. BIT has been able to help reduce these symptoms and improve the regulation of emotions. It is my honor to give back to the men and women who have served our country by helping them with the wounds they have acquired while serving.
Faqs
How does Brain Integration work?
We start with an objective and use certain physical activities to activate both hemispheres of the brain and make them work together. By activating certain parts of the brain we can create new electrical pathways so that reading, hearing, organizing, regulating emotions, and writing becomes much easier for the individual.
History of Brain Integration
Brain Integration concepts began with Dr. Doman and Dr. Delacoto in the 1960s. The two of them were trying to figure out how to help those who suffered brain injuries regain abilities once lost. They discovered that performing certain activities can help to rewire the brain and create new electrical pathways. Over the years Brain Integration Therapy has improved its techniques, and thanks to Rebecca Kennard we incorporate the Acuspark as well. Rebecca discovered that utilizing the Acuspark has improved the therapy greatly.
How long does the therapy take to complete?
There are a total of 15 sessions. Not everyone will need to complete all 15. Once, all the sessions are completed clients do not need to return for therapy unless there is something that has disrupted the electrical pathways. For example, car accidents, surgery, a hard hit to the head or another form of trauma. Often times, if this occurs then completing a couple of the sessions can restore the broken connection.
What is Muscle Testing
Muscle testing has been used for over 60 years by doctors and therapists to assess the muscle. Muscle testing is used in the sessions to determine whether or not both hemispheres are working together and that prior sessions held.
Related health issues
There are many health issues that can affect one's learning. It is very important to address these health issues so that BIT will be effective. There are several conditions that can make BIT less effective if left untreated. Children and adults who have taken many antibiotics in their lifetime can develop yeast in their gut which can affect your brain in many ways. Those who have multiple ear infections can develop ADD symptoms because they do not have the ability to hang on to what they hear and have a difficult time processing. Allergies to foods and environment can cause behavioral and cognitive issues because it causes inflammation in the brain from the toxins which can be misdiagnosed as ADD.
Proper nutrition is very important for your whole body, but especially your brain. Research has shown that poor nutrition can negatively impact the brain cognitively. It is vital to feed your brain the food it needs to improve brain function. This is why we recommend Vitamin B6 and magnesium as this is an essential vitamin and mineral that can improve attention and hyperactivity. We will help you pinpoint any additional problems and may recommend a healthcare professional if need be.
Testimonies
Navy Veteran
"I am a veteran with a Traumatic Brain injury. My brain has partially atrophied. Through my struggle with constant headaches, brain fog, PTSD and depression, I was having a very hard time learning to cope. When I started Brain Integration Therapy, I was skeptical about how well it would work. I have been both surprised and relieved by the results. After a number of sessions, my brain fog has been very minimal, my headaches have been further apart, mostly due to barometric pressure changes and my ability to communicate has improved substantially. I have even noticed that my emotions are easier to handle and I am not nearly as likely to have the same emotional reactions and swings like I used to. This therapy has helped me immensely and I am very grateful to have been able to participate in it."
-Ted
Father
"After our son started Brain Integration Therapy my wife and I noticed his handwriting improving, and he was having better balance and coordination. All of the sudden he was able to balance on a curb and not fall off. He has never been able to do that! His focus has improved greatly. We are so grateful for what Brain Integration has done for him!"
-Ryan
Speech Pathologist
"I have been attending Brain Integration with Michelle and have been truly grateful for her. She has helped me to be able to focus better and to stay on task. I have noticed my memory and handwriting has been improving. I only wish I had done this sooner!"
-Abby.
Special Forces Operator
I'm a 45-year-old male diagnosed with chronic adjustment disorder, chronic PTSD and suffering from TBI. Until recently all I have been offered is medication to mask the symptoms. Over the years I continue to have more and more medication thrown at me in order to treat the side effects of other medications that I was already prescribed. Through circumstances I created I was enrolled in the Veterans Trauma Court Program. While attending weekly court sessions I was able to quickly develop trusted relationships with the program personnel assigned to provide care and assistance to those of us enrolled in the program. Immediately the people in the program noticed I have a whole-body tremor, difficulties with speech and balance and coordination issues. I expressed my concerns and frustration with the lack of consistent or accurate diagnosis and treatment. I was approached one day while attending a weekly court session and asked if i knew what Brain Integration Therapy was. I explained that I had never heard of it and didn't understand how the treatment worked. Having developed trust and understanding that the people working with the program have your best interest in mind I agreed to set up an appointment to attend Brain Integration Therapy conducted by Michelle Alter. My initial session with Michelle went well. Michelle immediately makes you feel comfortable and welcomed. She has a wonderful way of communicating with people and building trust and rapport. I explained to Michelle that I had no knowledge of how the therapy worked but I was all in due to the fact that it was recommended by someone from the Veterans Trauma Program. During my initial evaluation sessions, I noticed Michelle was able to really connect with me and was able to identify areas of the brain that were not functioning as they should due to past trauma and TBI. I am in the beginning stages of the number of sessions recommended by Michelle but have already noticed an improvement with my coordination, balance and tremor issues. I am amazed that such a noninvasive treatment can be so effective given the previous recommendations of extremely high doses of medication and even an electrical device implanted in my brain. Having quickly developed confidence in the therapy I have recommended it to others and have even brought my spouse along to sit in on one of the sessions. After one meeting with Michelle my wife decided that there was something to benefit from the therapy and now sees Michelle herself. I highly recommend anyone dealing with trauma, TBI, or any other cognitive issues to explore Brain Integration Therapy. If anyone is seeking treatment in the Colorado Springs area, I overwhelmingly recommend Michelle Alter as she has been very professional accommodating and has genuine concern for your well-being.
-Special Forces Operator
Army Veteran
Michelle has been inspiring as far as my TBI. She constantly asks me to come in every week. I've seen improvements in a drastic way as far as the technology she uses. On a scale of one to ten I've improved from a 1 to a 4 in just 5 sessions. She is an absolute asset to TBI patients, and I'd recommend her to anyone who has a TBI. She's friendly and knows her stuff.
-Brandon
Martha
Doing Brain Integration Therapy with Michelle has been completely life changing. I started out with the goal of breaking some negative relationship patterns but I quickly saw that the therapy would impact every facet of my life. I've suffered from Sensory Processing Disorder for as long as I can remember, and the self-talk and emotional abuse from my family related to my disorder have formed who I am as an adult, without my realizing it. BIT not only addressed the emotional issues and helped me feel more confident in who I am, it also lessened the severity or even eliminated some of my SPD symptoms! This was absolutely shocking. Doctors do not understand SPD, so I've always been told theres nothing that can be done to help in adulthood. Wrong. Brain Integration Therpay helps immensely. I am more focused, less irritable, and my husband is stunned when symptoms he's been adapting to for 20 years just aren't a big deal anymore. Techniques I learned from Michelle have helped me finally end the torture of an abusive relationship I've been tied to my entire life, and move forward into a healthier version of myself without all the old strings tying me to old ways of thinking and behaving. This is an enormous relief! I started our therapy curious but skeptical and completed it feeling completely renewed. Everyone close to me can see the improvement in my life!
Malessa
Michelle is such a safe and wonderful person to work with in an area that can feel vulnerable. She made me feel at ease and was super informative about every process we walked through. We met for 12 sessions, each time building upon the next. Each week she would check in with me and see how the results were going. Before Brain Integration Therapy I had no idea that I could experience the freedom that resulted from our time together. I now have much more clarity in my decision making. I feel confident in areas that I used to spend too much time overthinking. I have gained a bold sense of my own voice and identity outside of what others think of me. There were circumstances that I had experienced in the past that would completely shut me down before. After therapy, I can handle these relational situations with peace and clarity of mind. I am able to walk away with emotional stability instead of becoming completely rattled. I am so thankful that I have been able to get unstuck in brain patterns that I've lived most of my life with!
