I welcome all inquiries and consultations from health professionals.


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To read about Neuroplasticity and how it is applied in Emotional Brain Training


A White Paper on the method

For Health Professionals

What is Emotional Brain Training?

It is a unique, evidence-based program based on cutting edge neuroscience - in particular, principles of neuroplasticity. Its goal is to create new neural networks to support healthy behaviors and emotional states. Maladaptive behaviors are typically driven by emotional factors, often outside the person’s awareness, but can be accessed and altered with the tools and techniques of this program.
It is a highly structured program, given by licensed health care providers, usually in the format of small groups and/or individual coaching.

What it is not

• It is not a stress management program – it is not about managing stress, but creating new neural circuits that make the brain more resilient to stress
• It is not biofeedback or neurofeedback; no equipment is used; the “tools” used are verbal/written/mental techniques that access emotional states and unreasonable beliefs which drive dysfunctional behavior.
• It is not new; it has been under development for 30 years

How can Emotional Brain Training benefit your patients and clients?

Greater resilience to stress. An estimated 80% or more of visits to doctors are stress related. Participants in this program learn skills to bounce back from stress more quickly and more reliably. Stress is a fact of life; the goal is not to eliminate stress but to learn specific skills and tools to bring oneself back to a state of homeostasis and high level well-being.

Specific conditions likely to improve:
medical conditions especially obesity and its co-morbidities, and any condition where stress is a significant or causative factor:
heart disease
hypertension
risk of stroke
orthopedic problems
diabetes
digestive problems
respiratory problems
sleep problems
mental health problems, including
depression
anxiety
PTSD
low self esteem
health life style issues:
mild and moderate overweight
lack of exercise
drinking to excess
smoking
sugar addiction
overspending habits
overworking habits
relationship difficulties

Regarding Referrals

• Referring professionals should be aware that Emotional Brain Training is not a stand-alone program, although for some individuals it may be. Adjunctive therapies and treatments are recommended as needed: comprehensive medical care, medication, nutrition counseling, psychotherapy, marriage counseling, 12 Step programs and other appropriate interventions.
  
  
• Referring professionals should advise patients/clients that it is not a quick fix – about 2 years are needed for brain rewiring to last.

  (I like to tell prospective participants that they will still have a brain two years from now, why not have a better one? – more resilient to stress, and able to experience better health and more happiness than they currently believe is possible.)

• Please inform patients/clients that I offer a free informational meeting to help them decide if this program is appropriate for them. Please also refer them to this website.

Thank you for your referrals
Who can provide Emotional Brain Training?

Providers are Master’s level or above licensed health care providers, and include doctors, nurses, dieticians, psychologists, social workers, mental health counselors, and marriage and family therapists.

Fully Certified Providers have completed the program themselves, and have been in EBT Groups as participants. They have completed a multi-phased training program and continue to receive training and consultation in the method.

Does Emotional Brain Training have anything in common with other theories and schools of psychology and psychotherapy?

Yes. The method is grounded not only in neuroscience, but also in:

• Attachment theory
• Family Systems theory
• Stages of human development
• Trauma theory

It is compatible with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Rational Emotive Therapy, Positive Psychology, Mindfulness Based Therapy, EMDR and other main stream psychotherapy orientations. However, other therapeutic techniques are not blended into the practice of EBT.

Where was it developed?

It was developed at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine by Laurel Mellin, MA, RD,
It is an outgrowth of a pediatric obesity program (Shapedown) that was applied to adult obesity, then to a whole range of stress-related behaviors in addition to overeating.

About the developer

Laurel Mellin, MA, RD, is an associate clinical professor of family and community medicine and pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, and is the director of The Institute for Health Solutions.
Her research and writing have received awards from the American Medical Association, the American Bariatric Society, and the U.S. Department of Consumer Education. Her work has been featured in Fortune, U.S. News & World Report, and Time, and she has appeared on Oprah, Good Morning America, Today, and The Early Show.
She is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Pathway: Follow the road to health and happiness (2003), which is about Emotional Brain Training, and author of The 3-Day Solution Plan: Jump-start lasting weight loss by turning off the drive to overeat (2005).
Her forthcoming book in 2010 is Wired for Joy.

Thinking of Becoming an EBT Provider?

Visit www.solutionmethod.org and click on “Health Professionals” and then “Certification” to learn about the training requirements. Also, call me!

I have been a psychotherapist for 14 years and have never found therapy more predictably effective, as I see clients over and over again move out of states of stress – with out-of-balance feelings and unreasonable beliefs, to states of homeostasis, emotional balance and even joy. This shift is observable – an Aha! moment - accompanied by laughter, a changed facial expression and release of body tension.
It has been the most personally rewarding work I have done as a psychotherapist.

I have taken the training myself, and have no doubt it was one of the most beneficial things I have ever done for my health and happiness.