Other Alternative Therapies
We Offer Numerous Nontraditional Therapies
The variety of alternative therapies available at our center sets us apart from other wellness and mental health clinics in the area. While we excel in traditional therapy, we also provide some therapies that you may not have tried but that could make a world of difference!
At Aspen Valley Wellness, we don’t believe that one size fits all when it comes to wellness and mental health. Our highly trained staff works hard to find the optimal therapy and best outcome for each client. Unlike other mental health clinics, we function more like a “mental health spa,” meaning that we offer something for everyone.
If traditional talk therapy wasn’t the greatest experience — or even if it was — you might like to try an alternative therapy. If you want to feel better but find talking about your problems difficult, then you might want to try something new. Below are descriptions of the alternative therapies we offer to help you feel better — just in a different way.
Alternative Therapies:
qEEG Brain Mapping in Orem, Utah
Quantitative electroencephalograph (qEEG) brain mapping is a process that indicates how your brain works and identifies problem areas. qEEG testing creates a visual representation of brain wave activity in each area of your brain, showing areas with too much or too little activity and pinpointing areas for improvement.
Brain mapping is noninvasive and painless; it simply records your brain’s activity. A cap is placed on your head and connected to an electroencephalogram (EEG) machine that reads the electrical impulses in your brain and creates a brain wave map.
After completing a brain mapping session, your therapist evaluates how your brain works and determines which brain waves require training. Brain waves reveal stress levels, thought patterns and emotions that are associated with impulsivity, cognitive issues, anxiety and other symptoms.
Brain mapping is helpful in conjunction with neurofeedback therapy.
Audio-Visual Entrainment (AVE)
Audio-visual entrainment uses a series of flashing lights and tone pulses to guide the brain into various states of brain wave activity, ultimately putting the participant into a meditation-like state of deep relaxation. This state of relaxation increases cerebral blood flow and the release of serotonin, endorphins and dopamine in the brain.
AVE helps individuals struggling with anxiety, attention-deficit disorder (ADD), attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain and more. Benefits include improved sleep, mood boost, relaxation, decreased stress and anxiety, and better mental performance.
Often, audio-visual entrainment and cranial electrotherapy stimulation are combined for a truly unique experience. Equipment for both therapies is available for rental or purchase.
Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES)
Cranial electrotherapy stimulation is appropriate for people recovering from substance abuse and those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), brain injury, cognitive dysfunction, chronic pain and inadequate concentration levels.
CES uses a small device that applies a low-power, pulsed electric current across the client’s head to stimulate the production of endorphins, serotonin and norepinephrine neurotransmitters. Increases in these substances have been shown to improve cognition, memory and energy level, while reducing situational anxiety, depression and sleep disorders.
The process is not painful, there are no side effects, and it has been proven safe for use in the home without professional supervision. Clients undergoing both CES and AVE have reported deeper relaxation states compared to those using a single therapy.
Technology-Assisted Meditation
Research demonstrates that meditation helps improve focus and attention, reduces anxiety and lowers blood pressure. Some people, especially those with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), find that meditation is difficult to master. That’s why the therapists at Aspen Valley Wellness use the Muse™, a brain wave sensing device that utilizes electroencephalography (EEG) technology to provide real-time information about the individual’s meditative state. Allowing the person to recognize and practice brain state changes makes learning the art of meditation easy.
The Muse™ may be used during individual therapy sessions or rented for in-home use.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a powerful treatment that supports mental health and overall wellness by enhancing the body’s natural healing processes. By exposing the body to pure oxygen in a high-pressure environment, HBOT promotes increased oxygen delivery to tissues, which accelerates repair and reduces inflammation. This heightened oxygenation can help alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and cognitive disorders by improving brain function and reducing oxidative stress.
Additionally, HBOT supports physical health and overall wellness by elevating energy levels, enhancing sleep quality, and promoting optimal cellular function. By increasing oxygen delivery to tissues, HBOT accelerates healing, reduces inflammation, and supports cellular repair. It improves circulation, speeds up recovery from injuries or surgeries, and boosts overall vitality. Integrating HBOT into a wellness regimen provides a comprehensive approach to both mental clarity and physical health, contributing to a balanced and vibrant lifestyle.
Sound Healing Therapy
Sound Healing therapy is a holistic healing practice that uses sound frequencies to promote relaxation, balance, and well-being. During a sound bath session, participants lie down comfortably while a variety of instruments, such as crystal singing bowls, gongs, and chimes, are played. These instruments produce resonant, soothing sounds and vibrations that permeate the body, helping to release stress and tension. The therapeutic sounds create a meditative environment that facilitates deep relaxation and mental clarity.
The vibrations from the sound waves are believed to help synchronize brainwaves, reduce anxiety, and enhance emotional and physical healing. Each frequency targets different aspects of the body and mind, potentially addressing issues like insomnia, chronic pain, or emotional blockages. By immersing yourself in the healing frequencies, you can experience a profound sense of calm and rejuvenation, making sound bath therapy a powerful tool for enhancing overall well-being and inner peace.
Food Sensitivity Testing and Nutrition / Health Coaching
Many people are unaware of the extent to which the food we eat impacts our physical and mental health. Food sensitivity issues may contribute to problems with depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), brain fog, fatigue and migraines, and they may cause behavioral problems in children. Clients who test positive for food sensitivities often find that working with a nutrition specialist helps them experience improvements in mental and physical well-being.
Some symptoms of food sensitivity are bloating, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), mood swings, chronic fatigue, headaches, insomnia and sinus problems. Because determining which food(s) cause your symptoms is difficult, we offer blood tests that measure your immune response to various foods. After you receive your results, you can talk with a nutrition coach who will help you understand what you should eat and what you should avoid to alleviate your symptoms and improve your health.
The tests are differentiated by the number of sensitivity-causing foods that are tested. We offer the following tests, shown in order of the most to the least comprehensive:
- Premium blood test: 200 foods
- Comprehensive blood test: 154 foods
- Standard blood test: 115 foods
- Kosher blood test: 108 foods
- Vegetarian blood test: 104 foods
- Basic blood test: 88 foods
Medication Evaluation and Management
Since medication is part of the treatment plan for some individuals, our nurse practitioner provides medication evaluation and management. For clients who have undergone genetic testing, the nurse practitioner reviews those results prior to prescribing.
However, our nurse practitioner, who is trained in integrative medicine, does more than prescribe medications. She is available to work with clients who have underlying conditions, such as thyroid and hormone issues, that may contribute to their mental health issues. The goal is to make complete healing possible.
Expressive Arts Therapy
While mostly used with children and teens, many adults also enjoy expressive arts therapy. This treatment utilizes expressive skills in lieu of traditional talk therapy to help clients heal. The idea is that participation in some form of creative expression (writing, dance, drama, music, art, etc.) allows individuals to examine their feelings, emotions and thoughts.
Unlike art or music therapy, expressive arts therapy incorporates some or all of the creative arts, not just one. During therapy sessions, clients are encouraged to examine their insights and reactions through journaling, painting, movement and other creative media. Individuals do not have to be skilled artists; the process, not the outcome, is what matters.
Expressive arts therapy is a good treatment for clients suffering from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), developmental disabilities, brain injuries, stress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic illness and social challenges.
Sand Tray Therapy
This form of expressive therapy is mainly geared toward children, but adults and teens tend to enjoy creating and processing in the sand, too. Our office has one Jungian sand tray and thousands of miniatures for exploring this avenue to well-being.
Most often used with clients who have experienced a traumatic event, sand tray therapy combines play and art therapies. The client is directed to a box or tray filled with sand and a variety of small toys which he or she uses to create a miniature world that represents his or her struggles and conflicts. Sand play provides an opportunity for the client to resolve conflicts and remove obstacles — in a safe, nonverbal manner.
Clients often find that this therapy reduces the distress that comes from discussing their personal traumas. The therapist observes and diagnoses mental health issues and may take photos to assess changes in scenes over time.
