Carol Ann Brayley, MSW, RSW, SEP

Welcome to my website.  I am a neurodivergent psychotherapist who has been in practice for over 28 years, in addition to being a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP).  

I am trained in a very long list of cutting edge approaches that are based upon the latest research on the brain and the nervous system, including Brainspotting (Phase 1, 2, 3, 4, Addictions, "Hero's Journey", "Brainspotting & Parts Therapy", and "From Freeze to Thaw"), Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems Therapy, Integral Somatic Psychology, a long list of Energy Psychology approaches, Energy Medicine, and more.

Some high tech tools that I have available for use at home, are the Koji's Quest VR program for neurological rehabilitation, NeurOptimal Neurofeedback, the Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) by Stephen Porges, as well as the Focus System by Unyte-iLs.

Each of these systems, in different ways, help to promote optimal functioning of the brain, nervous system, and associated bodily systems. Improvements are often noted with concerns such as tinnitus, brain injuries, chronic pain, fibromyalgia, misophonia, chemo brain, learning disabilities, migraines, alzheimers, dementia, sports performance, academic performance, autism spectrum disorders, and more - depending upon the system.

In recent months I have shifted my practice towards offering consultations to SSP providers and creating trainings for them, as well as offering group for neurodivergent women, as well as Somatic Experiencing skills groups.

With NeurOptimal neurofeedback, our focus is upon restoring brain resilience and flexibility.  
NeurOptimal is easy to use, safe and gentle. It does not require first having any kind of assessment, or complicated and expensive brain mapping as, with NeurOptimal, the brain is in charge.

NeurOptimal is designed to be completely safe. Unlike some forms of neurofeedback that require extensive training and run the risk of user error, with NeurOptimal no frequencies are sent to the brain. The system is on a tablet, and five sensors are attached to the scalp and ears.

The sensors monitor brain functioning. During sessions, music - or children's TV shows or movies, if desired - are playing through the tablet. When the sensors detect that the brain is about to shift from one state to another, there will be a little crackle or gap in the audio - kind of like a record "skip".

Because this pattern keeps happening over and over again, the brain begins to recognize it is being given feedback about itself.

It's kind of like if we had been doing yoga our whole life but we had never had a mirror in front us. Then one day a mirror appears and all at once we can see that our downward dog has been a bit "off".

By increasing the brain's awareness of what it has been doing, it gives the brain a chance to course correct. The brain itself decides what it does with that information and how it wants to proceed.

Because the brain is in charge with this system, there does not tend to be any risk of side effects as the brain does not tend to push itself faster than it is ready to go.

Neurofeedback is not considered either a treatment or a therapy but rather a form of brain training - basically it is like "going to the gym" for the brain. However, when we optimize brain functioning an extremely wide range of areas have the potential for improvement as the brain helps to mediate every other system of the body. Areas such as mood, sleep, nervous system, memory, cognition, immune system, energy levels, digestion, allergies, focus, emotional regulation, headaches including migraines, and more are all areas where improvements may occur.

During sessions, you can simply relax. Taking naps, reading, answering emails, playing games on a phone or tablet are all completely fine during NeurOptimal sessions. This system has been used on patients in comas with positive results. Sometimes parents of small children on the spectrum may run sessions on their children during sleep. Kids who struggle with homework, often find their homework much easier when they do it while having a NeurOptimal session.

NEUROPTIMAL PRICING

Those accessing NeurOptimal with me who are based in Ontario and have extended health plans that cover social workers may be reimbursed for their sessions, within the limits of their plan.

In Person Sessions

Sessions done in person are $160 each.

NeurOptimal Rental System Packages

Discounts and free delivery available, please enquire for details.

Unlimited sessions, over 2 weeks......$650
Unlimited sessions, over 4 weeks......$1150
Unlimited sessions, over 8 weeks......$1800
Unlimited sessions, over 12 weeks....$2400

Feel free to share your sessions with friends and family. If a child is doing brain training it is ideal if at least one parent is also having sessions.

When people do brain training together they tend to "synch up" better and feel more connected. As we begin to improve we are able to support the improvements of others.  Family life often becomes more harmonious, even when someone in the home has previously been difficult.

Neurofeedback units are also available for purchase. Should you choose to purchase your own unit after having rented one from me, I will rebate up to $150 of your rental fee. Please enquire for details prior to purchasing.

Integrated Listening Systems (iLs) Focus System

With Focus we combine specially-treated music, bone conduction headphones, and air conduction technology together with physical movement.

This allows Focus to support brain integration and skill-building for anyone. It is wonderful for those with sensory-motor and neurodevelopmental challenges.

Those with concerns such as autism, ADHD, learning difficulties, auditory & sensory processing disorders, brain injury, trauma, sensory sensitivities, sound sensitivities, and more.
Ideal for both children and adults, the Focus System is easily integrated together with other modalities that may be being accessed.

Focus is also easily integrated into daily life.

Ideally iLs Focus is listened to for approximately 3-5 hours per week. Sessions can be done in either 30 minute or one hour increments.

For each full hour of listening, ideally about 15 minutes of special Focus "activities" will be done. These are things such as standing on one leg, tossing a bean bag, playing with a ball, using a balance board, and more.

Over the course of the listening program(s), as brain functioning is improved, the activities will become easier. As this happen the level of challenging with each activity is raised slightly and, as the higher levels are fully mastered, we then move on to new activities.

For the remainder of each hour of listening, both. kids and adults move on to doing other things. For adults this could involve tidying the house, doing yard work, cooking, getting ready for work, going for walks, etc...

For kids this may be different forms of playing. Using fine motor and gross motor skills by doing things such as playing with toys, drawing or colouring, gently bouncing on a mini trampoline, going for a walk, riding a bike, climbing, and more.
iLs Focus includes:
Calming Program
Sensory & Motor Program
Concentration & Attention Program
Reading & Auditory Processing Program
Two Optimal Performance Programs
A Playbook and Integration Kit for movement activities

The process begins with a brief written assessment to determine which of the included Focus programs may be relevant for you or your child.

Programs can be combined and condensed in order to shorten overall timeline.

Pricing

NEW!! Focus has moved to a digital delivery format which now allows me to supervise remote use of Unyte-iLs Focus to people located virtually anywhere.

For those local to Brantford, Ontario, I do have a few physical iLs Focus systems on hand so those could be used instead of the app, and no purchase of the activity pack mentioned below, would be necessary.

To receive Focus through the new app - accessible from almost any location - you will also need to purchase an "activity" pack from the Unyte-iLs company for $299 US.   

The activity pack includes: an amplifier, bone-conducting headphones, waist pack, balance board, 2 bean bags, 1 racket ball, 1 tethered tennis ball, headband, Playbook, manual and carry bag. You then own the activity pack and, if at some point you no longer have use for it, it can be resold - I will be interested in purchasing some activity packs back from clients myself.

You will use the activity pack together with your own device onto which the Focus app has been downloaded.

Monthly fee (pay as you go): $240 CDN (approx $177 US)
6 month access: $960 (approx $710 US)
12 month access: $1620 (approx $1225 US)

Six and 12 month plans can be broken down into monthly instalments.

Family Discounts:

Additional family members accessing iLs Focus within the same time period are 50% off.