Dr. Karen Kiefer

Specializing in the use of Neurofeedback for:      

Professional Background:

Dr. Kiefer is a Board Certified Child, Adolescent And Adult Psychiatrist. She has further certifications in Medical Hypnosis and Hypno-analysis as well as in Guided Imagery. She is board certified in Addiction Medicine and is a Qualified Medical Evaluator. She founded the Family Wellness Center in 1986. Her focus has been on "Wellness" with an emphasis on expanding each person's innate potential for emotional and physical health.

Dr. Keifer

SENSORY - MENTAL / MOTOR -
AUTO-REGULATION - TREATMENT

An EEG Spectrum Affiliate

TRAIN YOUR BRAIN - IMPROVE YOUR LIFE
S.M.A.R.T. Medical is an extension of the Family Wellness Center, which began as a holistic medical center addressing the body/ mind and spirit of the individuals it serves.

The name, S.M.A.R.T. Medical, literally describes the core concept of this method of self-regulation - Sensory - Mental/Motor - Auto - Regulation - Treatment. This self-regulation concept is based on the belief that we have within each of us the ability to have optimum physical, mental and emotional health. Focus is placed on removing any disregulation, allowing the body/mind to return to its normal balance and natural state of wellness and wholeness, and expand and optimize its full potential. Although Dr. Karen Kiefer has specialty medical training, her primary training has been as an Osteopathic Physician. She has a holistic approach to treatment and is open to alternative approaches to healing and wellness.

WHY WOULD I WANT THIS TREATMENT?
We all want to live our lives to their fullest. The advancing technology of the new Millennium necessitates a high level of performance to cope with our rapidly changing environment. The demands made on us require high physical, mental and emotional health. We need the resilience of a well-tuned body and mind to maintain a healthy balance in out lives. No one can afford to function out of that balance for long. Physical, mental and emotional well being are priceless and often are even more elusive as we confront ever progressing demands. Even though we may be at a high level of functioning already, sometimes it feels like another "piece" might make it all run more effectively and efficiently. EEG Biofeedback can be that missing "piece" and provide the "peace" that we all yearn to experience.

The goal of EEG Biofeedback or Neurofeedback is to obtain that optimum self-regulation of body/mind systems. An analogy might be seen in the health club where we exercise our physical system on the treadmill and other exercise equipment. You don't "get to anywhere (a destination)" on a Stairmaster but you are able to exercise the system and expand the range of cardiovascular function and overall physical capacities and endurance.

In Neurofeedback, the goal is to exercise our mental "muscles" with an analogous means of "brain training". We can obtain the ability to better utilize and execute the highest levels of functioning and better regulate the central nervous system with this treatment.

There is often a small margin between being good and being great in our current society. Enhancing that margin with Neurofeedback can result in profound improvement in our emotional and physical well-being. Expansion of those innate capacities can be reflected in all facets of our life, in our work or athletic performance and in our play and relationships. We can more fully enjoy life, experience enhanced relationships and deal more effectively with the "demands of life" when we are on the cutting edge of that margin.

Description of Practice:

HOW WOULD I BENEFIT FROM THIS TREATMENT?
Benefits of Neurofeedback can be seen in people who are already doing very well but want to do even better. Professional golfers, basketball players, baseball players, football players and top executives are using this training and obtaining outstanding results. This is often kept a competitive secret. Among athletes trained by Dr. Kiefer is a successful downhill ski racer aimed at the 2002 Olympics.

Disregulation of the Central Nervous System can result in many medical problems. Further benefit of Neurofeedback can be seen such medical conditions as chronic pain, headaches, seizures, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, stroke and traumatic brain injury.

Correction of central nervous system disregulation can result in reduction of anxiety and panic disorders. Body sensations affected by this disregulation that can be corrected include digestive problems, irritable bowel symptoms, colitis, chest pain, breathing problems, tachycardia, problems swallowing and aggravation of pain symptoms.

Regulation of the emotional system can result in stabilization of mood disorders including depression and bipolar affective disorders.

WHAT ADDITIONAL SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE?
Assessments of cognitive, behavioral and emotional parameters are part of the initial evaluation. This information helps define the optimum programs ensuring the greatest likelihood for the desired success. These assessments are repeated regularly to measure gains and redirect treatment.

Attention to nutritional factors such as food allergies, nutritional deficits, general life style and food choices will also addressed. Optimum nutrition clearly plays a role in a successful outcome. The body and mind function optimally when they are adequately nourished enhancing participation in daily life and the higher cognitive/performance realm of personal and professional success.

Some of the neurofeedback programs can be further enhanced with a form of psychotherapy, Medical Hypno-analysis, which involves cognitive behavioral restructuring, while in an altered state. In essence it is the ability to look at a glass of water with the eyes of seeing it as half full ready to be filled further rather than with eyes of lack and limit.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE TREATMENT?
Training usually begins with re-enforcement in the most optimum brain wave amplitude, Beta (15-18 hertz) and SMR (12-15) hertz. In doing this we increase our ability to have alert, focused attention and relaxed, focused attention.

Deeper states may be accessed with Alpha-Theta training which can contribute to a Transformational/Experiential process, enhancing your personal growth and potential. All forms of creative processes and intuition can expand. Creative/artistic professionals find it enhances the production of ideas and fulfillment of their full creative potential.

WHAT TREATMENT PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE?
S.M.A.R.T. Medical has a variety of Life Enhancement Programs. A few of these are listed. Remote training may be available after initial assessment and office training.

SENSORY MOTOR/MENTAL AUTO REGULATION TREATMENT

All affiliates of EEG Spectrum International, Incorporated are independent practitioners
and their practices are independently owned and operated.