Vacc Counseling & Consulting Clinic

University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Ferguson Building – 2nd Floor

536 Highland Avenue

Greensboro, NC 27402-6170

 

We are pleased to announce new services being offered at the Vacc Counseling & Consulting Clinic, UNCG.  Beginning in September we will be offering Biofeedback (BFB), Neurofeedback (NFB), Audio-Visual Entrainment (AVE) Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES), and QEEG Brain Mapping. BFB, NFB, AVE, and CES are stand alone therapies and treatments, however, these treatment modalities are also very helpful as adjunct treatments to traditional verbal counseling work.

 

Issues for which bio and neurofeedback have shown research efficacy include:

 

·         Attentional problems in children and adults

·         Stress reduction

·         Anxiety Disorders

·         Depressive Disorders

·         Addictive disorders

·         Sleep Disorders

·         Headaches & migraines

·         Hypertension

·         Pain management

 

A brief description of the services offered follows:


Biofeedback (BFB) is a growing alternative health care treatment that can assist people with a variety of disorders, including: stress reduction, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, headaches & migraines, hypertension, pain management, attentional problems and other disorders.

 

BFB is a non-invasive, non-medical technique in which people learn to use their own body’s signals to improve their health. BFB training teaches how to consciously change and control the body's vital functions that are normally unconscious, such as breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure, through information provided by electronic devices/sensors that take readings through a software program. This process gives the patient moment by moment information about their physiological conditions, of which they are normally unaware.

 

Audio-Visual Entrainment (AVE) is a technique that provides light pulses complimented by sound at specific frequencies, tones and beats, via a portable Audio-Visual Entrainment (light & sound therapy) device. Using flashes of lights and pulses of tones, AVE safely guides the brain into various brain wave patterns.  AVE is used to treat a variety of disorders including but not limited to stress reduction, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, headaches & migraines, attentional problems and other disorders.

 

This stimulus connects with the brain at the specified frequency which can be programmed into the control device by the user. Typical brainwave frequencies are described as Alpha, Beta, Theta and Delta. Each of these frequencies has a corresponding brain behavior associated with them. Alpha and Theta are associated with a dreamy languid state of mind and less focus, Beta is associated with a highly focused mind set and Delta is associated with a sleep state. Based on the desired change in behavior the light and sound pulses enhance the production of the specific brain wave frequency targeting the desired behavior(s), settles down an agitated mind, increases cerebral blood flow and increases the metabolism of glucose in the brain for improved neuronal function. All of this activity adds up to improved mental performance.

 

Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)  involves the use of the Alpha Stim 100®, an FDA approved, small hand held device that delivers small electrical pulses, one milliampere (mA) or less, directly to the brain, using electrodes attached to the earlobes. Pulses are used to promote relaxation, sleep, and relieve some psychological and emotional conditions like depression and anxiety. CES is 100% safe.  The Alpha Stim is FDA approved to treat insomnia, anxiety and depression.

 

QEEG Brain Mapping (Electroencephalography – QEEG) is a neurological diagnostic procedure that records the changes in electrical potentials (brainwaves, Delta, Theta, Alpha & Beta) in various parts of the brain. The EEG is a recording of the electrical activity of the brain from the scalp, using digital technology, of electrical patterns at the surface of the scalp which primarily reflect cortical activity or "brainwaves". A multi-electrode recording of brain wave activity is recorded and converted into numbers by a computer. These numbers are then statistically analyzed and are converted into a color map of brain functioning (QEEG). QEEG is a recognized form of assessment for differential diagnosis.

 

Neurofeedback (NFB), also called EEG biofeedback (and a subset of biofeedback), is a therapy technique that presents the patient with real-time feedback on brainwave activity, as measured by sensors on the scalp, typically in the form of a video display, and sound. When brain activity changes in the direction desired by the neurofeedback protocol, a positive "reward" feedback is given to the patient. Rewards/Reinforcements can be as simple as a change in pitch of a tone or as complex as a certain type of movement of a character in a video game. The most common uses of neurofeedback include the treatment of ADHD, seizure disorders, substance abuse, panic disorders, anxiety, depression, cognitive impairment, migraines, headaches, chronic pain, sleep dysregulation, post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI). NFB meets the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry criteria for clinical guideline (CG) for treatment of ADHD, seizure disorders, anxiety (OCD, GAD, PTSD, phobias), depression, reading disabilities, and addictive disorders. This suggests that NFB should always be considered as an intervention for these disorders by the clinician.

 

Education, Training, Tutoring, and Mentoring. Mr. Longo provides training and lectures both on UNCG campus as well as nationally and internationally. He is an approved BCIA mentor for NFB & QEEG, and tutors professionals and students in the use of the equipment and treatments described above. Practicum and intern students at UNCG are invited to inquire about  observing sessions and learning techniques.

 

Fees:  Mr. Longo does not take insurance at this time and works on a cash only basis for his services. However, Mr. Longo does work on a sliding fee scale.  UNCG students will receive a significant student discount rate for all services. It should be noted, that biofeedback is covered by insurance if a MD recommends it for a particular disorder or medical problem.

 

These services will be offered by Robert E. Longo, MRC, LPC, NCC, BCIA-EEG who was previously the Clinical Director and the Director of The Stress Reduction Clinic & Biofeedback Lab at Old Vineyard Behavioral Health Services, a psychiatric Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC.  Mr. Longo will provide an initial free consultation to interested persons. Depending upon the condition for which you are seeking help, we will provide you with a complimentary treatment during your initial visit.  There is no obligation.

 

Vacc Counseling and Consulting Clinic office hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please stop by the clinic to set up an appointment: (336) 334-5112 or call Rob Longo (336) 406-3006 for further information.

 

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