A unique path to healing

Traumatic brain injury. Attention deficit disorder. Depression. Anxiety. Addiction.

These and other diagnoses are becoming increasingly more prevalent in our society. Unlike a broken bone that can be diagnosed through an X-ray, issues related to brain function are more difficult to diagnose and even more complex to treat. But one North Idaho practitioner offers hope for many who suffer from these and other mental health issues.

Dr. Linda Larson, the founder of North Idaho Neurotherapy Clinic, is making a difference in many lives. By administering a non-invasive, quantitative EEG brain map to her clients, she measures, analyzes, and quantifies brainwaves. After gathering data and comparing that information against different databases of hundreds of others' EEGs, she and her team can determine where an individual is different from others, giving information on everything from addiction, depression, traumatic brain injuries, and more.

"We are able to not only see the brainwaves under different situations, but we can also see the relationship of the brainwaves to one another, look at the symmetry of the brain, the stability of brainwave relationships, and areas where the brain may be generating signals that may be manifesting itself in problematic symptoms and behaviors,” explained Dr. Larson.

Once all of the data is interpreted, a treatment plan can be executed.

“Treatment in my clinic involves neurostimulation, which is often referred to as neuromodulation, and is what makes us unique from other neurofeedback providers,” said Dr. Larson.

She and her staff use various modalities and customize them to specifically aid their clients in maximizing their brain function.

“Our modalities include transcranial alternating current stimulation, transcranial direct current stimulation, transcranial random noise stimulation, and pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation,” said Dr. Larson.

While all this may sound confusing to the layman, Dr. Larson explains that neurotherapy is strength training that conditions the brain. By combining neurostimulation and neuromodulation, it speeds up the progress and duration of this non-invasive treatment.

Dr. Larson has treated several children who experience what she refers to as “meltdowns” and who have attention deficit disorder. "The results are amazing," said Larson. "With a balanced, healthier brain, learning, returning to school, and enjoying being in the family is exciting to see."

She has also successfully treated Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. “Sometimes a client will have suffered for several years from past trauma. The relief and ability to be grounded and in the present is an outcome of treatment,” said Dr. Larson, adding that anxiety is often a part of PTSD, and reducing this provides a healthier life for her clients.

One of the most common issues that Dr. Larson treats is traumatic brain injuries — something that is in the news more and more each day as science uncovers an increase in symptoms associated with TBIs including depression, anxiety, and addiction.

“Treating addiction can be challenging,” said Dr. Larson. “But with the treatments we provide, clients can experience freedom from the addiction part of their brain. We always recommend collaborating with an AA program as well to provide further support.”

Dr. Larson became particularly interested in the treatment of traumatic brain injuries when her daughter suffered a fall from a horse while competing. That was 23 years ago when little was known about the treatment of such injuries. Her daughter, who was in college at the time of her injury, spent almost 18 years in an assisted living facility. Unable to lead a normal life, her daughter suffered severe memory loss, delusions, and confusion.

In 2011, Dr. Larson’s daughter began to receive neurofeedback treatment for her brain injury and the results were astonishing. “It was nothing short of a miracle,” said Dr. Larson of watching her daughter regain her life.

Many in the community recall Larson as the director of Life Skills Northwest where she instructed over 3,000 people. In 2019, she completed her master's degree in marriage and family therapy and is certified in critical incident stress management for first responders. She is also board-certified in neurofeedback, an in-depth international program.

For her doctoral degree, Larson conducted a clinical study with men arrested for domestic violence who were participating in court-ordered behavioral modification classes. Interestingly, her research confirmed statistics that indicate over 60 percent of men arrested for domestic violence had a history of severe head injuries. While she says there is no excuse for violence, it provided an insight of which many had not been aware.

Dr. Larson recently moved into her new office located at 102 S. Euclid, Suite 312, where she and her associate Nikki Mulder work closely with clients. Mulder is a trained and experienced neurotherapy technician who is working toward obtaining her board certification in neurofeedback through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance

Mulder’s passion for this type of therapy is a result of her time as a combat veteran in Afghanistan and Iraq. In 2017, she received neurotherapy to assist her in dealing with her trauma. It made a tremendous difference in her life.

Dr. Larson said that John DeWig, MS, will join her practice this month. DeWig is a talk therapy and neurotherapy-based clinician with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of populations.

In addition to his degree in marriage and family therapy, DeWig holds a bachelor of science degree in computer science, something which facilitated his journey as a neurofeedback and biofeedback technician.

DeWig comes to Sandpoint from Santa Barbara where he practiced at NeuroField Neurotherapy, Inc. There, he worked under the direction of Dr. Nicholas Dogris, who is the co-founder of Neurofield, Inc, which developed specialized neurostimulation and neurofeedback used in North Idaho Neurotherapy’s clinic.

“I am thrilled to have John join our team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our clinic and community. This will expand the services and availability of Neurotherapy and help for individuals and families.” stated Dr. Larson.

For more information on brain mapping and Neurotherapy, contact North Idaho Neurotherapy at 208-255-6057. You can also log onto www.nidnt.com.