Your Questions Answered

Behavioral Coaching

What is a Mid Life crisis or Major life change & how do I know I am going through one?

Mid life crisis is an emotional state of doubt and anxiety, that is normally associated with age and affects adults both women and men between the ages of 35 & 55. It can last up to 2 years and as long as 10 years, recent reports state the average between 5 & 7 years. However for most people they can be thrown into this same emotional state with any major life crises such as bereavement, grief, loss, illness or divorce that can happen at any age.

It commonly involves reflection on what the individual has done with his or her life up to that point, or questions on why things happen. Feelings that not enough has been accomplished or goals still not achieved, thoughts & feelings of fear, frustration, feeling lost and confused about identity are often present.

A person experiencing midlife or major life change will have symptoms such as: Boredom and exhaustion, or frantic energy, Self-questioning & doubts leading to low self esteem, Feelings of lost identity, losing control, fears and frustration, Spending more time alone or wanting to spend most of the time out, Daydreaming, loss of focus and concentration, Irritability, unexpected anger and stress, Acting on alcohol, drug, food or other compulsions, Greatly decreased or increased sexual desire, Increased or decreased ambition, Paying more attention to appearance or buying more expensive items, Contemplating or having an affair, especially with someone much younger.

According to reports at the national survey of mid life development in the USA 25% of adults that were surveyed over the age of 35 admitted to going through or have gone through a mid life crisis associated with the age part. According to midlife dimension surveys & the ladies home journal surveys, 69% of men and 80% of women surveyed admitted to having an affair. Other health reports state massive increases in alcohol and substance abuse as a way of coping with major life changes that can lead to serious health issues.

Are there different types of Mid Life Crises & Symptoms?

Research states from mid life improvement and the national institute of mental health, that there is no one mid life crisis type, it can fall into any of the below 5. Whatever type your crisis may be it will still be an emotional coping skill.

Type 1: A Severe Crisis Triggered by One's Mortality: The first type is the classic form: a severe psychological crisis brought on by the realization that one's time is running out. At the farthest extreme it is very much like an existential crisis, where one may feel that their life is worthless. More common is deep unhappiness with one's life so far, and with where it is going.

Type 2: Knowing You've Got A Finite Amount of Time Triggers a Midlife Assessment, Not Crisis: It's not only possible to assess one's life and future without becoming clinically depressed, it's quite common. Recent research has shown that this is a normal process during midlife, and many argue that it should be embraced, not ignored. If the path you're on at midlife isn't the path you want to be on, why not change?

Type 3: A Severe Crisis, But Not Necessarily Related To Age or Mortality: The next two categories, while commonly called "midlife crises," are really "crises that happened in midlife." They could happen during any other stage of life too. The more severe form is major depression or other significant mental health incident. It could be triggered by a significant event such as divorce, loss of a job, the death of a parent or spouse, illness, financial problems, or some other significant setback or stress that can lead to major depression. Consider these symptoms: Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood, feelings of hopelessness, pessimism, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities that were once enjoyed.

Type 4: A Less Severe Reaction to Important Events or Stresses: The last of the four main categories is a less severe version of the last type. One of those major life events or some other source of stress causes problems such as grief, self-doubt, a perceived loss of direction, or some other unusual feelings. While disruptive, thought, they are not immobilizing. People are frequently equipped to deal with these problems, either on their own or with support from spouse, family, and friends.

Type 5: Smooth Sailing: Some people won't experience anything that could be described as midlife crises. They may be the type of person who constantly makes mid-course adjustments to their life's trajectory, or has never had a setback that challenged their beliefs about themselves, is very self-aware, is able to handle life's surprises better than most, or is happy in all important parts of their life. Whatever the cause, they never have the period of questioning or turmoil that characterizes the four types of midlife crisis above.

What impact does a mid life crisis have on my family, relationships & my health & well being?

The impact on your relationships and family can be greatly affected, if someone is going through a crisis point in their life, the stability, trust and commitment of a relationship is thrown into question, as it is harder to connect with the person going through this crisis. Increased anger and frustration arises causing more arguments, conflicts, resentment and pain for the relationship and family, for some, radical changes take place that can be devastating.

As this is an emotional state of doubt and anxiety, it can have a major impact on your health and well being. Anxiety & stress increase blood pressure and high blood pressure can cause heart attacks or a stroke, the stress alone can lead to depression that has major implications on your health.

If it is a major crisis especially with men the most devastating result could be contemplating suicide. Suicide rates increase with men as they grow older, as this way offers the promise of release from seemingly unbearable emotional pain. Women know how to express their emotions, whereas men are taught to hold their emotions back, to 'act like a man' for some, suicide is the only way to suppress the emotional pain associated with the midlife passage.

What is Quarter life crisis & how will I recognises if my son/daughter is going through this?

The quarter life crisis is a term applied to the period of life immediately following the major changes of adolescence, usually ranging from ages 21 – 29. It is very common now and recognized by many therapists and professionals in the mental health field.

It is another emotional state of doubt and anxiety like the mid life crisis. They normally occur shortly after a young person usually an educated professional enters the "real world". After entering adult life and coming to terms with its responsibilities, some individuals find themselves experiencing career stagnation or extreme insecurity. The individual often realizes the real world is tougher, more competitive and less forgiving than they imagined and find it hard to adapt in the workplace. Furthermore, the qualifications they have spent so much time and money earning are not likely to prepare them for this disillusionment.

The symptoms that occur: Not feeling good enough due to not finding a job suitable to their education, Missing university or college life and friends, not coping in the real world, Frustrated with relationships, the working world and finding a suitable career, Confusion of their own identity, Insecurity for the future and their accomplishments to date, Disappointed within their job or the choices they made, Tenancy to be overly opinionated, find it hard to adapt in the work place, Boredom with social interactions, Stressed due to financial situation, Feelings that others have done better than them, Loneliness, increased alcohol and drug substance & for some women a desire to have children as a solution to how they feel.

The same help is available to quarter life crisis as mid life crisis as they are both emotional states that involve increasing coping skills.

Biofeedback

What are the main symptoms & causes of stress, anxiety & depression?

Causes: Many things (or the anticipation of them) can lead to stress & anxiety: pressure to perform at work, downsizing & restructuring at work, 21st century living of bringing up children & their worries, threats of physical violence, money worries, arguments, family conflicts, divorce, bereavement, loss or grief, unemployment, moving house, Alcohol or drug abuse. Sometimes, there is no particular reason for developing stress, or it arises out of a series of minor irritations. For some extreme stress can lead to major depression and increased anxiety that can have major impact on health and well being.

Symptoms of STRESS: Everyone reacts to stress differently, but there are some common effects that help us recognize it. In times of extreme stress, people may shake uncontrollably, hyperventilate (breathe faster and deeper than normal) or even vomit. For people with asthma, stress can trigger an attack. People who are chronically stressed are also susceptible to any of the following: periods of irritability or anger, apathy or depression, constant anxiety ,irrational behavior, loss of appetite, comfort eating, lack of concentration, loss of sex-drive, Increased smoking, drinking or recreational drug-taking, skin problems, aches and pains resulting from tense muscles, including neck ache, backache and tension headaches, increased pain from arthritis and other conditions, heart palpitations & for women, missed periods.

Symptoms of ANXIETY: The signs and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder can vary in combination or severity. They may include: Restlessness, Feeling of being keyed up or on edge, Feeling a lump in your throat, Difficulty concentrating, Fatigue, Irritability, Impatience, Being easily distracted, Muscle tension, Trouble falling or staying asleep (insomnia), Excessive sweating, Shortness of breath, Stomachache, Diarrhea & Headache. If you have generalized anxiety disorder, you may experience times when your worries don't consume you, but you still feel anxious. You may feel on edge about many or all aspects of your life. For example, you may feel intense worry about your safety or that of your loved ones or you may feel that something bad is about to happen, even when there's no apparent danger. Generalized anxiety disorder often begins at an early age, and the signs and symptoms may develop more slowly than in other anxiety disorders. Many people with GAD can't recall when they last felt relaxed or at ease.

Symptoms of Major Depression (MDD): If you suffer from Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either: (1) depressed mood or (2) loss of interest or pleasure. (Note: Do not include symptoms that are clearly due to a general medical condition, or mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations. If you think you are suffering from 5 or more seek help from your Doctor ASAP.

Depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful). Note: In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood.
markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others)
Significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day. Note: In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains.
insomnia or hypersomnia nearly every day
psychomotor agitation or retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)
fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)
diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others)
recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide

What is the impact of stress, anxiety and depression if left untreated?

Stress & Anxiety that continues without relief can lead to a condition called distress -- a negative stress reaction. Distress can lead to physical symptoms including headaches, upset stomach, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, and problems sleeping. Research suggests that stress can also bring on or worsen certain symptoms or diseases.

Stress also becomes harmful when people use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs to try to relieve their stress. Unfortunately, instead of relieving the stress and returning the body to a relaxed state, these substances tend to keep the body in a stressed state and cause more problems. Consider the following:

43% of all adults suffer adverse health effects from stress.
Up to 90% of all doctor's office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.
Stress can play a part in problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, skin conditions, asthma, or arthritis in addition to depression and anxiety.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) declared stress a hazard of the workplace. Stress costs American industry more than $300 billion annually.
The lifetime prevalence of an emotional disorder is more than 50%, often due to chronic, untreated stress reactions.
Over 15 million Americans suffer from major depression and that figure is growing
58% of US workers are complaining of being overly stressed to burnout stage.

It is down to how we cope with and respond to the situation at hand that results in our reactions. Extreme stress, anxiety and depression can be brought on by major life crisis such as bereavement, grief, loss, divorce, critical illness or mid life crisis syndrome. How each person reacts will be down to their coping skills at that time and not necessarily based on their previous coping skills.

Explain more about biofeedback?

Biofeedback can also used by accredited coaches and educators to help people function better, as long as they have been trained and certified as biofeedback practitioners through recognized biofeedback providers and established biofeedback associations. Clinicians will also use this as part of treatments for many disorders including urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence and constipation, migraine headaches, tension headaches, ADHD, ADD, pain from improperly functioning muscles in the jaws, shoulders, back, etc., irritable bowel syndrome, non-cardiac chest pain, and many others. We use biofeedback for Stress, Anxiety and Depression relief programs not for other medical conditions as mentioned above. If you have any of the above medical issues consult your Doctor.

Biofeedback treatments work by teaching people to recognize how their bodies are functioning and to control patterns of physiological functioning. For example, biofeedback based urinary incontinence treatment works by helping people learn to control the pelvic floor muscles which prevent us from urinating when we don’t want to. Migraine headache treatments and tension headache treatments work by teaching people to control blood flow and muscle tension patterns which cause or start the headaches. ADHD and ADD treatments work by helping people change brain wave patterns associated with severity of these problems.

About insurance coverage for biofeedback: Coverage for biofeedback is often available from health insurers but the plans vary widely. You or your primary care provider may want to check with your insurance company for coverage details regarding biofeedback. Your local biofeedback provider is also likely to be aware of coverage issues

How many sessions does it take? Typically, biofeedback treatment involves a regular series of sessions over a period of several weeks. Some courses of treatment may involve as few as 8 or 12 sessions; other disorders may require 40 or 50. The good news is that biofeedback teaches individuals self regulation. Once the techniques are learned, the patient may never again require biofeedback therapy or only a "refresher" session now and then.

Are there any health conditions for which Biofeedback is not recommended?
Yes. You would be excluded from receiving a biofeedback treatment if you are pregnant, taking photosensitive medication or steroids, have cancer or epilepsy, or use a pacemaker. No adverse side effects have been documented. We do not treat these particular conditions as a precautionary measure. We recommend that you consult with your physician if you have specific concerns related to your medical health.

Hypnotherapy

Is Hypnotherapy suitable for everyone?

Hypnotherapy is not suitable for children aged under five or anyone with a severe mental illness. It's also not advised for people with epilepsy or major depression. Consult your Doctor if you have any concerns. We complete health assessments with all clients before we perform ant hypnotherapy.

How many sessions will I need?

This varies from person to person. Some people only need one session, others need more, and it will depend on the depth of the problem on average for stop smoking would be approx. 3 sessions for weight control programs these are normally longer.

What if I can’t be hypnotized?

Don't worry. The only people who can't be hypnotized are those who don't want to be hypnotized. Everyone else can be hypnotized, but the depths and response levels do differ from person to person. The depth of hypnosis is very important to the success of the therapy, which is why the therapy is generally tailored to your needs and according to the level of hypnosis that suits best.

What is NLP?

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is an incredibly powerful discipline that enables people to unblock the structures of human communication and human excellence. By doing so people can think, communicate and manage themselves, and others, more effectively.

NLP explores the relationships between how we think (neuro), how we communicate (linguistic) and our patterns of behaviour and emotion (programmes).

By studying and learning from these relationships people can effectively transform the way they traditionally think and act, adopting new, far more successful models of human excellence. (This activity is called modelling and is a key feature that distinguishes NLP from psychology).

In effect, NLP is a powerful change tool that transforms the way people think and act to have the greatest impact both professionally and personally. That’s why NLP is one of the most powerful skills used in business management, psychology, sales, sports coaching and all forms of personal development.

Laser Therapy

What is Low Level Laser Therapy?

Low level laser therapy is the application of a cold pure laser light to treat certain conditions. While low level laser therapy relatively new to the United States, for smoking cessation, it has been in practice internationally in countries throughout Europe & Canada for over 20 years. It has been used to successfully treat many musculoskeletal injuries as it promotes healing & tissue repair while reducing inflammation. Low level laser therapy has also been found to be extremely successful in the treatment of smoking cessation, addictions, weight control and stress management.

Is laser therapy safe?

The FDA has classified low level laser therapy devices as "non-significant risk medical devices." They pose no health risk to the patient provided that the protective eyewear is worn. The laser has been compared to an ultra-sound in that it is completely non-invasive, heatless and pain-free.

What parts of my body will be treated?

The points and areas vary depending on the treatment. For smoking cessation and weight loss, a low level laser is applied to several acupressure energy points on the hands, ears, wrist, feet or arms.

How can Laser Therapy help me stop smoking?

We apply a low level laser to your body's natural energy flow points to stimulate the release of endorphins in the body. Endorphins are the body's natural mood elevators. These same chemicals are raised artificially when you smoke. The laser treatment causes the body to feel effects similar to what you get when you smoke - relieving the physical withdrawal symptoms.

How long does the treatment take?

The laser therapy treatment takes approx. 20 minutes. However, you should allow about 40 minutes for the evaluation and paperwork during the first consultation.

How many treatments will I need?

Many patients only require one or two treatments to successfully quit smoking and alleviate cravings. However, tools and advice are given to help with the behavioral aspect.

What does the treatment feel like?

The effects of the laser are immediate and you will feel the tension leaving your body. Many patients feel completely relaxed and some even fall asleep during the laser treatment. Our stress relief treatments concentrate on tension, pain, sleep deprivation & other physical imbalances brought on by stress.

How long does the feeling of not needing a cigarette last after the treatment?

For most people, the physical cravings will be gone very quickly. However the behavioral aspect takes longer, that is why it is very important that your practitioner uses behavioral therapy and behavioral modification tools to help with handling the mental habits associated with smoking to support your success.

Are there any health conditions for which laser therapy is not recommended?

Yes. You would be excluded from receiving laser treatment if you are pregnant, taking photosensitive medication or steroids, have cancer or epilepsy, or use a pacemaker. No adverse side effects have been documented. We do not treat these particular conditions as a precautionary measure. We recommend that you consult with your physician if you have specific concerns related to your medical health.

Are there any side effects resulting from the laser therapy?

The laser is completely safe and provides no known adverse side effects. In fact, many clients feel very relaxed during and after the treatment.

I have been smoking for over 20 years; will this therapy work for me?

All you need is a strong desire to quit. No matter what other programs you've tried and no matter how long you've smoked. We are committed to helping you kick your smoking habit!

Is the treatment affordable?

We offer a package that includes the initial consultation, tools, behavioral modification and 2 laser treatments and then we offer a per session pricing after that if you need more treatments, the reason we do this is simple, we want to help our clients not put them off by price. Some laser clinics will charge you up to $400 for a stop smoking cessation program. See our brochure on the home page for latest prices.

Will I put on weight if I stop smoking?

We treat the energy points associated with appetite control to stimulate your metabolism. If you're concerned, we can discuss further with you during your consultation to ensure all your needs are met. We also offer a comprehensive weight loss program individually tailored to meet each client's weight loss goals and to accelerate results.

Is the treatment guaranteed?

Laser therapy has helped thousands of people and is highly successful. We are confident that we can help you quit smoking with your commitment. Nicotine addiction consists of both a physical and mental addiction. The laser therapy addresses the physical aspect. But, because every person is different and has individual psychological and emotional aspects to deal with, the process cannot be guaranteed. We will work with each person to support success.

What is the success rate?

While low level laser therapy is relatively new to the United States, it has been in practice throughout Europe & Canada for over 20 years. Statistics for smoking cessation from those areas has been reported at a staggering 90% success rate - the highest success rate of all smoking cessation programs. Weight loss has been reported at 85% success rate. Our programs have the same success rate as we use the tried and tested programs from the Europe and Canada.

Will my medical insurance cover the cost of laser therapy?

Several insurance companies are now reimbursing the cost of smoking cessation and weight loss programs. Contact your provider for more information.

How does laser therapy for weight control work?

A low level laser is applied to various points on the body (ear, wrist, and arm, leg) to stimulate the release of endorphins - suppressing the appetite, reducing cravings and raising the metabolism. The laser treatments, along with follow-up nutritional & exercise guidance, motivational support and maintenance are all included in our weight loss program which is customized to fit each individual's needs.

Is the weight loss laser treatment program guaranteed?

Laser therapy is highly successful and will help accelerate your metabolism, suppress cravings and decrease your appetite. Laser therapy works in conjunction with eating properly and light exercise. While there is no guarantee for weight loss due to the many factors affecting it, our program has a high success for those individuals who follow the program and are committed to making the changes necessary.

How much weight loss can be expected?

Individual results may vary, but typical weight loss results are a safe 2-3 pounds a week and 10-15 pounds a month plus inches. However it will depend on the person as results vary for different people.

Is laser therapy effective for weight loss?

Yes - When our laser therapy treatments are combined with an overall nutritional & exercise plan, the pounds and excess body fat are dramatically reduced. The results can be lasting and permanent providing the program is followed.

How many laser treatments will be needed for weight loss?

Again for weight loss this will depend on the individual and as we operate on a per session pricing the client can have as many or as few sessions as they require. On average for weight most people take between 4 & 6 sessions for some it is more and for others less.

How many laser treatments will be needed for alcohol & drug addiction?

This will depend on the severity of the addiction. We treat those with mild forms of addiction; those with severe addictions need to consult their doctors first. The program works the same way as the smoking cessation as it is similar to addiction, only we use the association of drugs and alcohol to stop the craving and pain of giving up. Like smoking for some people it may only take one session to stop the craving for others they need more, it will depend on the situation. However once again we need to mention behavioral therapy and modification tools as these are vital in the success this treatment. Contact us for more information.