Suzanne Mark & Daniel Sternberg, PH.D Neurofeedback & Brainspotting Protocol
Ashland Neurofeedback, led by Suzanne Mark and Daniel Sternberg, Ph.D, has had a transformative year, helping clients achieve remarkable progress using Brainspotting Protocol (BSP) alongside their Neurofeedback sessions. This holistic approach targets trauma, anxiety, and other challenges by connecting specific eye positions to stress memories, offering faster and deeper healing. Clients have shared inspiring stories of overcoming emotional, psychological, and even physical obstacles, highlighting the powerful impact of these combined therapies. I spoke with Suzanne and Daniel to learn more about their experiences and the impact of their work this year
Hi Suzanne and Daniel, what exciting things have you been up to at Ashland Neurofeedback?
Hi Shields, it has been a breakthrough year for us and for many of our clients. We are doing a shorter interview article this month, because we have been busy working with and graduating clients who came to us with specific goals.
As we have shared in previous articles, for the last two years we have been using Brainspotting Protocol (BSP), which works by helping people identify areas they would like to work on and heal. It uses specific eye positions linked to stress memories to help the body “detox” the residues.
Brainspotting is a therapeutic tool that can help the body and mind in many ways, including:
• Healing trauma: Brainspotting can help process and heal trauma stored in the brain and body. It can help people release trauma without having to relive it. We are really excited about this!
• Emotional regulation: Brainspotting can help people reduce excessive reactions to situations and relationships.
• Reducing anxiety: Brainspotting can help people overcome anxiety disorders and phobias. Many people report a noticeable reduction in anxiety levels during and after sessions.
• Curbing addictions: Brainspotting can help “rewire” the brain to curb addictive urges and cravings.
• Sleep: Brainspotting can help improve sleep.
• Energy: Brainspotting can help increase energy.
• Sports performance: Brainspotting can help athletic performance by identifying and treating “Sports Traumatic Stress Disorder.”
The reason we added this therapy two years ago is because of its broad applicability for specific stuck spots, triggers and issues. It can also help with many of the SAME things that Neurofeedback does, so the two things tend to work very well together. We often alternate BSP sessions with Neurofeedback as part of a treatment plan. We can also just do one or the other, based on your goals.
We always consult with you to make our best recommendation for each client.
We also teach you how to consciously release stuck emotions, thoughts and beliefs so that you can use the tools to get yourself “unstuck” in your life and not foster dependency on us.
Our clients LOVE how this “layered approach” to our work helps them to change beyond talk therapy and traditional approaches. It tends to work faster, meaning fewer sessions are needed.
Both Neurofeedback and BSP are holistic, non-intrusive procedures with minimal side effects. Both have been implemented by clinicians worldwide, and are great alternatives for many issues.
Inspiring Testimonials from Amazing People:
Toxic Shame, Emotional and Relationship Issues
After my first treatment with Suzanne, I noticed a positive change. The crushing anxiety I would feel after an intense argument with my wife was no longer there. Sure, I still feel some anxiety from time to time, but the intensity is so low and my ability to let it go has improved greatly. For instance, a blow up used to ruin a whole day or multiple days. Now I am able to let feelings go almost as quickly as they come up. (Suzanne has been teaching me how to “let go” during my sessions.)
The biggest change I have noticed is my core feelings of not being good enough, not being able to change, the world is out to get me, people don’t care, etc., are not governing my reality anymore. I am not ashamed any more. I am not playing the victim. I have much less guilt and regret. The Microcurrent Neurofeedback has allowed my brain to be more plastic and more adaptive. I see 360 degrees instead of a narrow hallway of my reactions and pain. My perspective about reality has shifted and the more I learn to let go of the things that are not serving me, the more content I feel.
Anonymous – (11 Sessions)
I had the pleasure of working with Suzanne and showed tremendous results. After a few sessions I felt more focused and motivated. The Neurofeedback improved my communication skills and deepened my relationships in every aspect. I would recommend Suzanne to anyone who needs a little extra push.
Rachel B. (12 Sessions)
Work Performance and Relationships
Suzanne’s approach to her process is very similar to how a therapist works. She walks and talks you through so many things while simultaneously administering the neurofeedback. After my sessions, I definitely noticed an energy boost and a more clear mind. I had read a few reviews prior from some clients stating that they experienced tremendous personal and financial growth after completing their treatments with Suzanne. I can truthfully say that this happened to me as well. I continue to get opportunity after opportunity with both my work and personal life. I am thankful to Suzanne for her gentle counseling and her professional process. I would recommend this to anyone who is able and wanting to open new levels of growth.
Cody M (12, Sessions)
Sports Performance
In 2015, I was in two car accidents, six weeks apart. I suffered spinal injuries, tailbone injury, sacral injury and a herniated disc. I have pinched nerves in my neck, and it was very traumatizing in general.
Because of my accidents and the fear of getting re-injured, I found myself really afraid of being on top of the mountain and that had never happened before before my car accident. I was afraid of heights. I was afraid of falling. I was very panicked when skiing, so I could only ski the beginner and intermediate runs. I would ski very, very slowly.
After our Brainspotting session, I didn’t have those negative beliefs of “Oh, I’m gonna fall and break my back,” or “I shouldn’t go fast because I’m going to injure my spine.”
After the session with Suzanne, I was more in the moment. I was no longer thinking about the car accident. I wasn’t thinking about getting injured. I wasn’t fearful. I didn’t have that panic in my chest. I was just very present and enjoying the view and the trees. The skiing became FUN without the anxiety. I even got stuck on a black diamond run because I took a wrong turn and there was a little bit of anxiety but instead of going back to my old intrusive thoughts and thinking “Oh, don’t do it, don’t fall because you’re gonna break your back or spine,” I noticed this huge shift in perspective like, “You know, a black diamond is hard and you haven’t done it in over two decades, but let’s try it.”
Brainspotting was working because I had a boost of self-esteem. I had this courage that I never had before. I had this belief in myself. Before we worked, I was only doing greens and blues and then I skied a week after our session in class and I was zooming down black diamonds! My boyfriend came and visited me here in Tahoe in April and he was SO impressed that I left him behind on my first black diamond run! Other people also noticed a change in my skiing, so thank you!
J. Allyson Garcia, MA, LMFT
(1 session)
Driving Phobia
As we worked through multiple triggers with Brainspotting, I felt them each diminish to a point where I could not even MAKE myself think about them! I am doing MUCH better after years of struggle.
Anonymous
(15 Sessions)
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Thank you to all the people who have inspired us this year. We greatly enjoy supporting Golden Rule Reentry, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, that helps people move from prison to prosperity. People who have endured abuse, addiction and incarceration and are able to rise above these things demonstrate an almost super human capacity for overcoming obstacles. If you have a heartfelt desire to help people rebuild their lives after incarceration, please donate at: goldenrulereentry.org.
