Personal Sessions

All of Kathy’s personal sessions are based on the Brain Gym “balance” process, the (simplified) elements of which will be described below. In working with young children all the same elements are essentially present, but in abbreviated form.

This is a very co-creative process, one that is guided by the client and what he notices in his own experience in the moment. Kathy may use the Applied Kinesiology technique of “muscle checking” to support the client in noticing how his nervous system is responding.

In your session, Kathy will begin by getting to know you a bit, and then asking a question: “What do you wish was easier?” She will help you clarify your goal for the session, to set a focused intention for change.

Together you will “pre-check” your current operating status around your “goal” situation – noticing what less-than-helpful patterns may be operating in your mind-body system. For example, if someone wants to improve in public speaking, Kathy may hand him a “microphone” and ask him to introduce himself to the “100 people who have assembled to hear him speak.” As you may imagine, this would likely result in all kinds of reactions: holding breath, not able to think, muscle tension, and more. Kathy calls this “pushing the button,” so the client’s mind-body system knows exactly which networks are firing – in a less-than-helpful way – and perpetuating the pattern that isn’t working.

(This “pre-check” will be “post-checked” as the session is concluding, to measure change.)

Once you have gotten a clear sense of what is not working about your “goal” situation or issue, Kathy will offer a “learning menu” of activities. Your job simply is to notice which activity is getting your attention in that moment – and know that your mind-body system is choosing that pattern to bring in, to create the balanced state that you will find most helpful.

The purpose of all these activities is to introduce more balanced patterns into the mind-body system, by:
• releasing physical tension
• supporting left-right balance in the brain
• increasing emotional grounding and stability
• improving overall efficiency of brain organization patterns
The outcome is a new pattern, now established in your mind-body system, in support of your “goal” issue. 

By repeating what you did as pre-checks (they’re now post-checks), you’ll be able to compare before and after, and notice changes: typically things such as reduced muscle tension, more aligned posture, improved coordination, increased ability in a target skill, greater focus, more stable emotions – and a greater feeling of confidence and ability in regard to your “goal” issue.

The final step is always to “anchor” this noticing of change – perhaps with a “high-five” of celebration!

Here are two articles from Kathy’s blog that illustrate the process in action.
Click here to read Kathy’s description of her work with an adult
Click here to read about Kathy’s work with a child
Both stories can also be found in Kathy’s book, Educate Your Brain

For a truly complete answer to this question, I’ll refer you to my book, Educate Your Brain. Chapter 12 is all about this dynamic process.

I work with clients of all ages and abilities, addressing a wide variety of topics — everything from children who are having challenges with reading, to teens struggling with school or test-taking, to adults who have issues around a difficult relationship or work-related topic, to those recovering from traumatic brain injury.

I sometimes (lightheartedly, but actually quite truthfully) say, “If you have a brain and a body, then Brain Gym can support you in making the changes you desire.”

The key is this:
The Brain Gym session process begins when you set a focused intention. Doing this essentially gets the attention of your mind-body system, which then says, “Oh, that’s what you want to change? I know how to re-organize for that!” From there it goes on to select movements and processes that are exactly what it needs to release old patterns that are in the way, and take on new, more efficient, ones. My job as facilitator is to follow lead of your mind-body system, and support you in doing whatever movements or protocols come up as the “priority” means of creating the new patterns you want.

Here is a list of just a few academic, sport, professional, or personal goals that clients, young and old, have balanced for:
I confidently move on to college.
I fluently use the Spanish I’ve learned.
I skate with balance and coordination.
I easily organize and complete my résumé.
I relax and let things flow in my life.
I’m calm at test time and keep my cool.
I easily write my name. (post stroke)
Math makes sense to me.
I read easily.
I remember the details of what I read.
I find the right keys when I type.
I confidently ask my boss for a raise.
I easily learn to operate my new cell phone.
I kick the ball hard and straight.

A first session with an adult is typically 90 minutes, although two hours should be allowed; subsequent sessions are typically one hour.

A first session for a child whose parent has experienced a Brain Gym session is typically one hour.

A first session for a child whose parent is new to Brain Gym sessions is typically 90 minutes. Subsequent sessions for the child will be anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the child’s age, and the topics being addressed.

Kathy tends to work much more quickly with children, especially young children, depending on their attention span and developmental needs. 

Kathy prefers to set a session first with the parent (or both), if possible. This allows the parent to share all his or her concerns about the child – at a time when the child will not be there to listen to it all. Also, by experiencing the session process, the parent will have a deeper understanding of how Kathy’s work is unfolding with their child.
Parent(s) should plan to be in attendance at the child’s session.

All Brain Gym movements and processes can be modified for people with physical challenges.

Kathy is experienced in working with people with everything from temporary sports injury issues, to challenges following stroke, to spinal cord issues. If you have questions or concerns, please contact our office, at 602-952-7001.

Please wear comfortable clothing such as loose pants, shorts or sweatpants (a few Brain Gym movements are done lying down, with legs in various positions).
Kindly refrain from wearing any fragrances.

Kathy’s office is in her home, and she has two cats. If this is an issue for you, please contact her to discuss options.

Personal Session Price: $100 per hour
Brief follow-up sessions with children are billed at a 30 minute minimum.
If a client books a series of Brain Gym sessions on a regular basis (no more than three weeks apart) we charge for the first five sessions, and the sixth one is at no charge. We work on a sliding scale on request.
We accept cash, checks and credit cards, as well as payments through PayPal and Venmo.

The answer often is, “That depends.”

My experience is that some clients come with an “issue” and others come with a “project.” Phobias, fears, and the “charge” around certain life situations typically fall into the “issue” category. They often resolve well in a single session, and the change noticed is seen to be quite remarkable. Over time, it may be recognized that addressing it again (perhaps from a different angle) would be helpful, but in the meantime, the change achieved is enough to be a tremendous relief.

“Projects,” on the other hand, are situations that are grounded in deeper overall challenge. Progress will still be made by the end of the first session, but additional sessions would be necessary for the kind of change the client is looking for. Clients coming with “projects” may have been labeled ADD/ADHD, developmentally delayed, learning-disabled, depressed, overly critical, or chronic Type-A personality, to name a few. It may take several sessions (or a series over time) to do the re-learning necessary to resolve the issues blocking easy functioning. In this case I recommend planning on a series of sessions.

Of course, it’s challenging to know ahead of time if a client is dealing with an “issue” or a “project.” We can make our best guess, but in the world of Brain Gym I’ve learned never to think I “know” something for sure. I continue to be surprised.

Note: If your session addresses childhood reflex issues:
• Each shift of the nervous system in regard to retained reflexes requires time to integrate, and introducing new reflex patterns too soon can be counterproductive. For that reason, we suggest two to three weeks between sessions that involve addressing reflexes.
• It may take more than a single session for a specific reflex to be completely resolved, as each reflex must be fully developed, integrated, and then “inhibited” or “retired.” It is important that you complete the process.
• If a particular reflex is found to be unintegrated, it’s highly likely that others are unintegrated, as well. You may want to consider additional sessions, even if your child’s “target” issue is resolved. It is very likely that further work will support him in ways you hadn’t even thought of addressing, as “moving through life” soon becomes more comfortable, with the unseen pull of reflexes relieved.

In any case, it is always up to you, the client, to determine how and when you care to schedule another session. If a financial situation seems to be in your way I’ll be happy to talk with you about making an arrangement that meets both our needs.

Much will have gone on throughout the course of your Brain Gym® session, and it may require extra energy and fuel to build new neurological networks in the brain. If you feel tired and/or hungry, then please rest and replenish yourself. You may find yourself wanting to be quiet for some time following your session; this is simply your mind/body system’s innate intelligence at work, wanting a quiet environment in which to continue making inner change, or become more familiar with the changes that have occurred.

You have balanced for your goal as fully as your mind-body system was ready and able to balance at this time. Remember – allow two to six weeks to fully integrate your balance. The new patterns are now a part of your physiology, and it may take time to integrate them into your daily habits of movement. These new patterns are now “up and running” for the mind and body, but you may still consciously choose old patterns which have been a habit for a long time. The “noticing” of the tendency to choose the old habit is an important stage in change; simply observe the choice without judgment. Allow yourself to be aware and choose to go with the new patterns when you feel you have a choice.

At the conclusion of your session it may have been indicated that “homeplay” activities such as the PACE warm-up or other techniques help to “remind” the nervous system about the new patterns it’s building. On one hand, it’s important to do the activities regularly over the prescribed amount of time so that the new connections in the brain and body become reinforced. On the other hand, when you start “forgetting” to do them, it likely means you no longer need them. Note to parents: Brain Gym should never be “required” of a child. Even the most integrating of movements done under duress are counterproductive! “Homeplay” should always be done in just that way: the spirit of play. Let the child run his or her own schedule for doing homeplay. If that doesn’t happen, it’s better to let the homeplay go altogether, with no criticism about it, and talk about it at your next session.

It is our experience that you need only a single balance for any particular goal if you do the homeplay suggested. You may find other related challenges for which you may be ready to balance later. For example, you may have balanced to improve your reading skills by decoding and encoding more easily. This was your first priority. With the clarity you gained from this balance, you may notice that even though you are reading more easily, you may now want to balance for greater comprehension as well. In this situation, it is recommended that you do a second balance to remove the learning block that prevents you from easily learning to comprehend and retain what you need.

Life is not static. Life is a process by which we move and change in relation to our environment. You may find other things in your life for which you want to access your potential more fully. Attitudes, relationships, aspects of physical coordination, healthy behaviors, and the creation of more abundance in your life are all thing for which you might balance.

In addition: if your session (or that of your child) directly addressed integration of a retained infant reflex, it may be that behaviors associated with this reflex will “act up” in the days following. Although it may be uncomfortable to deal with, this is a necessary part of “returning to the infant stage” to appropriately complete patterns that were never resolved. The important thing with infant reflexes is to go slowly, and respect the timing requested by the mind-body system of the one going through this transformative change.

If, following your session, you have any questions or comments, please contact me and I’ll be happy to assist you.

4915 E. Pinchot Ave.
Phoenix, Arizona 85018
602-952-7001 – office
602-672-7001 – cell

Click here for complete driving directions

Please note:
Kathy’s office is in her home.
You will be driving to a residential area.

“I’ve been to so many seminars where they tell you to ‘think’ your way to a positive state. I was never able to do it. This process created change that I never even had to think about. I’m simply operating differently now.”
~ F. L. — Phoenix, AZ

“Reading was always so hard for me. After Brain Gym I could read easily! Now everything about school is easier, even science and the story problems in math!”
~ A. K., age 11 — Phoenix, AZ

“I can’t believe that my impulse to feel annoyed around a ‘certain specific person’ is simply no longer there. My work environment is much more harmonious now!”
~ C.B. Daniels — Phoenix, AZ

“I felt overwhelmed by a stack of important paperwork I’d been chronically avoiding. Now I am effortlessly, proactively handling these issues, one by one. I don’t know where my resistance went.”
~ M. Francis — San Francisco, CA

“As a student helicopter pilot, I was faced with conquering the physical coordination challenges inherent to rotor training. Hovering was an enigma to me until I met with you — then, I went out and hovered my very next flight! Amazing!”
~ D. Davenport — Scottsdale, AZ

“I have always been fully intentional about making changes in my life, yet something was always missing in my ability to follow through. Brain Gym sessions effortlessly empower my intention to change. I book sessions regularly, and encourage my executive coaching clients to do so, as well.”
~ K. Halpin — Phoenix, AZ

“You have found your calling. Your techniques have saved me time and have helped my flow of creativity . . . . I spend less time composing my ideas and am more creative with my writing.”
~ D. Saxby — Phoenix, AZ