Karlene McIntosh
Originally a successful architect in Perth, after starting a family, Karlene developed a passionate interest in the causes of the various conditions and disorders that were becoming increasingly present in her life circles. Whilst raising her three teenage children, Karlene completed a Neuroscience degree at UWA (2012-2015), escaping to the South West in 2020 to introduce non-invasive brain-based therapies to those in need.
Karlene is a firm believer that negative thought processes, especially long-term patterns, can result in undesirable health conditions. Unusual electrical activity detected in a Quantitative EEG (QEEG) has been shown to correlate specifically with various conditions. Supported by a huge body of worldwide research, Neurofeedback (NF) training can then alter the atypical brain pattern due to the wonders of operant conditioning and neuroplasticity.
On completion of an initial QEEG assessment, a fully personalised training protocol is devised by Karlene to target problem areas and balance the brain. This is achieved by inhibiting negative patterns identified in the QEEG, whilst reinforcing normal activity across the 19 electrode sites. Consolidation of the modified or “rewired” circuitry commonly occurs with more training sessions.
Two of the major benefits of Neurofeedback treatment are that it is medication-free and also that it can provide permanent restoration of improved brain function. Consequently, one of Karlene’s primary aims is to help ween clients off medications that more often than not, can cause side effects worse than the presenting condition.
When linked to symptoms, a brain map can provide invaluable information to other health professionals such as GPs, chiropractors, psychologists, neurologists, naturopaths, etc. Some examples of this are as follows:
- Doctors and psychologists may find critical information in a patients QEEG report with respect to wave activity and its location to determine which type of medication should be prescribed (especially for depression and mood disorders)
- Chiropractors and osteopaths may have a theory on a patient relating to blood flow, and which can be verified by identifying irregular electrical activity in the relevant area of the brain
- Being severely fatigued is a common symptom when a part of the brain is in constant state of hyper-activation, and this can be illustrated by the maps. A naturopath may use this information to gain a better understanding of why a client is experiencing such symptoms.
The treatment is also suitable for anyone who may be curious of their own brain function/symptoms/condition, and want to try an alternative treatment for addictions, OCD, insomnia, migraine, tinnitus, PTSD and chronic pain management. Non-medicated treatment of ADHD and learning disorders have high success rates in studies and are two of the most frequent conditions treated by NF.
Karlene promotes her business as one that can address a wide range of neurological-based conditions. Using state-of-the-art equipment and software packages that continue to produce amazing results particularly in the US and Europe, Brain Mapz provides both diagnostic assessment and relevant associated treatment to improve the overall quality of life of patients.