Helping You Help Your Patients

“For the past ten years I have had the opportunity to learn from Dr. Amen how to recognize when a scan is needed, and the medications and supplements that impact the various systems of the brain. Dr. Amen is gifted in helping professionals learn how to communicate the complexities of brain function in a way that empowers and motivates patients to follow through on protocols that will help balance brain chemistry. The day is coming when mental health professionals that do not understand the basics of brain function will not be meeting the standard of care that patients are expecting. Physicians, no matter what their area of specialty is, will find their level of patient care will only be improved. Psychotherapists will learn to recognize which symptoms are medical in their origin and need the attention of a physician that is knowledgeable of neuroscience, and what can be helped with psychotherapy.”

Earl Henslin, PsyD

At Amen Clinics, Inc. we partner with physicians and therapists around the world to bring enhanced diagnoses and treatment plans to the people they serve.  We are here to help you be a better health care provider.  When your patients’ brain works better they respond better to your care, including medications, natural supplements and psychotherapy.

As part of our evaluation process we use brain SPECT imaging, in addition to clinical interviews, diagnostic checklists and laboratory studies when appropriate.  Our recommendations may include natural supplements, medications, targeted forms of psychotherapy, and alternative methods such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy or acupuncture.

A Brain Science Approach

We are perhaps best known for using brain SPECT imaging as a way to help guide treatment.  Brain imaging has helped us take a brain science approach where not only do we make traditional DSM-IV diagnoses, but we also help our referral sources and patients understand the underlying brain systems that may be contributing to the problems.  Once we know the brain system or systems that are not functioning optimally, we can then target treatment to the system that needs help.

Here is a guide to understanding 7 brain systems, plus also understanding brain trauma and toxic exposure.

Prefrontal Cortex
Anterior Cingulate Gyrus
Basal Ganglia
Deep Limbic System
Temporal Lobes
Parietal Lobes
Cerebellum
Brain Trauma
Toxic Exposure

How SPECT Helps

Direct Benefit for Clinicians
Direct Benefit for Patients and Families
Myths and Misconceptions about SPECT

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