Gina Strauss, a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, discusses the power of nature in promoting mental and physical well-being. She explains that our disconnection from the natural world has had a profound impact on our health, and Nature Informed Therapy aims to reconnect us with nature as a co-therapist. Gina explains the science behind the calming effects of nature and the importance of intentionality in our relationship with the natural world. She also shares her vision for bringing nature informed therapy to children and families to help build resilience and provide healing.

About Gina Strauss:

For over 30 years, Gina has worked as an advisor, counselor and teacher in a variety of educational settings with children, adolescents, and adults. She currently works as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) at Chesapeake Mental Health Collaborative and as the Program Coordinator and Senior Faculty Member for the Center for Nature Informed Therapy. In addition to her M.A. degree in Counseling Psychology from Towson University, she has a M.A.degree in Applied Healing Arts from Maryland University of Integrative Health (formerly Tai Sophia Institute) which adds a unique perspective to her clinical approach. In her personal life and through her professional experience as a certified nature informed therapist, Gina partners with the wisdom of Nature and inspires others to do the same. She enjoys working with children, teens, and adults and brings an awareness of cultural sensitivity to her practice.

natureinformedtherapy.com

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Use promo code "MHEP10" for 10% off any CMHC event and CNIT booking. (Must be booked by 8/1)

Episode Timestamps:

• (02:30) Nature informed therapy and its focus on reconnecting with nature
• (05:35) Developing a relationship with nature and its therapeutic benefits
• (10:30) Gina’s personal journey into nature informed therapy and the connection to animals and trees
• (12:20) Center for Nature Informed Therapy and its training program
• (14:35) The science behind nature's calming effects
• (20:00) Different ways nature informed therapy is being used
• (25:35) Nature informed therapy vs. regular outdoor activities
• (28:00) Qualifications for attending the training
• (29:30) Gina's vision for the future of nature informed therapy

Connect with Rachel:

Facebook Group: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Website: traumaspecialiststraining.com

Instagram: instagram.com/trauma_specialist

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796

Listen to the Back Porch Bestie podcast:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/back-porch-bestie/id1687988106

Jeff Strong, the founder of the Strong Institute, shares his journey of using drum beats for therapeutic benefits. As a hyperactive child, syncopation exercises helped him channel his behavior and improve his academic focus. Jeff explains the neurology of drumming and how it can create a relaxed brainwave state which can help individuals with autism and ADHD. Jeff also discusses the development of the Rhythmic Entrainment Intervention™ program, as well as Brain Stim Audio, a streaming music site for various mental health needs.

About Jeff Strong:

Jeff Strong is the founder and director of the Strong Institute, a leader in the field of auditory brain stimulation research and therapies. Known primarily for their work with individuals on the autism spectrum, the Institute also has a major impact on ADHD, Anxiety Disorders and Sleep disorders. Mr. Strong is the creator of the evidence-based therapy, Rhythmic Entrainment Intervention™, and founder and music creator of BrainStimAudio.com. He is also a best-selling author of eight books including AD/HD For Dummies and Different Drummer: One Man’s Music and Its Impact on ADD, Anxiety, and Autism.

brainstimaudio.com

calm for anxiety – STRONG INSTITUTE

stronginstitute.com

Episode Timestamps:

• (01:50) Jeff's childhood experiences with drumming and its impact on his behavior
• (06:15) Jeff's involvement in research studies on the effects of drumming on anxiety and behaviors in children with autism
• (11:00) Therapeutic effects of drumming; 10 symptom areas
• (14:15) How the unpredictability of drumming rhythms can help activate the brain
• (18:45) The concept of brainwave entrainment and using binaural beats
• (22:05) Future plans for the Strong Institute
• (25:50) Remaining persistent and finding your voice

Connect with Rachel:

Facebook Group: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Website: traumaspecialiststraining.com

Instagram: instagram.com/trauma_specialist

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796

Listen to the Back Porch Bestie podcast:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/back-porch-bestie/id1687988106

Dr. Libby Stuyt, a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in addiction, discusses the benefits of five-point ear acupuncture (NADA) and brain synchronization therapy (BST) in treating addiction and trauma. She explains the origins of NADA and its effectiveness in engaging and retaining individuals in treatment, as well as helping with stress relief, stabilization, anger management, and sleep issues. She also explains the underpinnings of acupuncture in Chinese medicine and its use in prisons and jails to reduce violence. This evidence-based treatment is accessible to various professionals and has been proven effective in engaging and retaining individuals in treatment programs.

About Libby Stuyt:

Elizabeth ‘Libby’ Stuyt, MD is a board-certified Addiction Psychiatrist and has worked in the addiction/behavioral health field since 1990. She was the Medical Director for the Circle Program, a 90-day inpatient treatment program, funded by the state of Colorado, for persons with co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse who have failed other levels of treatment from 1999 - 2020. She has been actively incorporating complementary treatments into treatment programs, including the 5-point ear acupuncture NADA (National Acupuncture Detoxification Association) protocol and BST (Brain Synchronization Therapy), to help patients recover from addiction as well as trauma which often underlies addiction and chronic pain issues.

She retired from clinical practice in 2021 and continues to do consultant work for treatment programs, trainings on ear acupuncture and BST and presentations to educate as many people as possible on the unintended consequences of the commercialization of marijuana in Colorado, focusing primarily on the deleterious effects of high potency THC on the developing brain. She is on the board of the International Academy on the Science and Impacts of Cannabis (IASIC) and believes that people should be following the science regarding policies related to cannabis.

thenmi.org/team-members/dr-elizabeth-libby-stuyt

acudetox.com

Episode Timestamps:

• (02:05) Dr. Stuyt's journey into the addiction field
• (04:05) Five point ear acupuncture
• (09:35) Development of a standardized protocol for ear acupuncture
• (13:40) The history of ear acupuncture and its use in hospitals
• (17:00) Benefits of ear acupuncture in addiction treatment and anger management
• (18:25) Frequency and effectiveness of ear acupuncture treatment
• (20:50) Combination of ear acupuncture and EMDR therapy
• (23:10) Brain synchronization therapy as a gentler form of EMDR

Connect with Rachel:

Facebook Group: The Mental Health Entrepreneur

Website: traumaspecialiststraining.com

Instagram: instagram.com/trauma_specialist

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachel-harrison-81a4796

Listen to the Back Porch Bestie podcast:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/back-porch-bestie/id1687988106