Psychiatric Pretenders

Given the current pervasive method of psychiatric diagnosis, it is more critical than ever to screen for reversible physiologic problems that can look psychiatric and lead to prescription treatments. Learn about the top culprits and the simple interventions that can reverse your symptoms.

Kelly Brogan, M.D.  is a holistic women’s health psychiatrist on faculty at George Washington University and in private practice in Manhattan. She uses a functional medicine approach with her patients, and specializes in working with women who are pregnant, postpartum, or preconception. Dr. Brogan has been a clinical instructor at NYU School of Medicine, where she did her fellowship, and a residency in reproductive psychiatry. She graduated from Cornell University Medical College, and has a B.S. from MIT in Brain and Cognitive Science/Systems Neuroscience. She is board certified in psychiatry, psychosomatic medicine, and integrative holistic medicine, and has published widely. Her academic areas of interest include toxicology/environmental medicine, nutrition, inflammatory models of mental illness, autoimmunity, and epigenetics. She has published in the field of Psycho-Oncology, Women’s Health, Perinatal Mental Health, Alternative Medicine, and Infectious Disease.

Infectious Behaviours, An Integrative Approach

One of the challenges in detecting and diagnosing these infections is our testing. Lyme disease and other tick-born infections are known to have psychiatric and neurological complications and should be especially considered in any severe or atypical presentation. In this talk, Dr Chandra will look beyond antibiotics and will present a more integrated and holistic approach to addressing infections and microbial imbalances.

Dr. Chandra is a board certified psychiatrist who uses an integrative and holistic approach to help those with challenging psychological and behavioral issues. She has an undergraduate degree from Harvard and a medical degree from Yale University. After medical school, she completed a psychiatry residency at the Massachusetts General Hospital/McLean Hospital combined program at Harvard Medical School. She also has extensive training in integrative and holistic approaches. She has spoken at numerous conferences, including the Advisory Board on Autism and Related Disorders, the Autism Society of America, and the Autism Research Institute.

Maternal Factors Affecting Development

Based on our best medical knowledge, the risk of having a child with autism is related to genetic predispositions and environmental factors in the context of timing as the fetus develops.  Dr. Mumper will review the medical literature (with emphasis on recent research) to determine which modifiable factors may increase risks for giving birth to children with autism.  Potential areas of concern include maternal nutritional deficiencies (including folic acid, iron and vitamin D), substance abuse, pollution and pesticide exposure in the context of genetic risk factors.   Risk is modulated by the mother’s biochemistry, metabolism, detoxification, intestinal and immune status.  Knowing emerging risk factors may allow pregnant women to modify their risks of having a child with autism by modifying their lifestyle and nutrition during pregnancy.

Dr. Mumper is President and CEO of The RIMLAND Center. Her general pediatrics practice is Advocates for Children. Advocates for Families is her practice devoted to the care of children with autism and other neurodevelopmental problems. She graduated magna cum laude from Bridgewater College with a degree in General Science. She attended the Medical College of Virginia, did residency training at the University of Massachusetts and University of Virginia, and was invited to serve as Chief Resident of Pediatrics at UVA.  Dr. Mumper has written book chapters about allergy, immunology and behavioral and developmental pediatrics published in the book “Pediatrics” published by Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.. During the past five years, she has conducted clinical research at the Rimland Center and published five peer reviewed articles in the medical literature.

How Immune and Gut Dysregulation Impact the Brain

Dr. O’Hara will be discussing the role of gut dysbiosis in aggressive behavior with ADHD. She will focus on the diagnosis and treatment of yeast, bacteria, viruses and Lyme. Interventions to be covered include diets, nutrients, helminth therapy, HBOT and other immunotherapies.

Nancy O’Hara, MD, MPH, FAAP is a board-certified pediatrician. Prior to her medical career she taught children with autism. Dr. O’Hara graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in the AOA Honor Society and earned a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. She entered general private practice in 1993, and in 1998 began her consultative, integrative practice solely for children with special needs. Since 1999 she has dedicated her practice to the integrative and holistic care of children with neurodevelopment disorders, ADHD, PANDAS/PANS, OCD, Lyme, allergies and Autistic Spectrum Disorder.  She is a leader in the training of clinicians, both in the US and abroad. Her practice is located in Wilton, CT.

Hypothroidism in Mother and Child

Nearly all children with Down syndrome and many children with autism and developmental delay require thyroid gland support. Diagnosis of hypothyroidism has greatly changed in the last 40 years. Patients are no longer treated based on very obvious symptoms. Doctors need to return to a better understanding of the clinical signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism and stop relying simply on lab results. Tragically, many children with Down Syndrome and autism who have obvious signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism are going untreated resulting in preventable delayed development. Maternal hypothyroidism has also been linked to in utero development of autism and Down syndrome.  The symptoms of hypothyroidism in mothers should be recognized and addressed to avoid neurological damage to the unborn child. Dr Peirson will review the physiology of thyroid hormone and it’s connections to the neurological development and overall health of children with Down syndrome and autism.

Erica Peirson specializes in the biomedical treatment of children with Down syndrome, autism and other special needs.  She focuses on areas of endocrine function, microbiome, oxidative stress, methylation, mitochondrial function and vitamin and nutrient deficiencies. Peirson’s biomedical journey began 8 years ago with the birth of her own son who was diagnosed with Mosaic Down Syndrome.  She treats patients privately in her practice in addition to lecturing and writing to educate on improving the health, development and cognition of children and adults with Down syndrome, Autism and special needs.

Alkalising 101

Plant health is largely determined by soil quality & in human health ‘soil quality’ could be likened to several physiological traits/processes that underpin our ultimate health & wellbeing.  Acid base balance is one of these fundamental physiological determinants of health. There is increasing evidence of a broad multi-system burden as a result of the ‘chronic mild metabolic acidosis’ produced from a net acid-producing diet, negatively affecting the kidneys, muscles and bones, adrenals and immune system.  This presentation will explain the why (-this is such bad news for our health), the what (- essentially do we need to do) and the how (- to correct this using diet and beyond)

Rachel Arthur is a respected and widely published Australian Naturopath specialising in integrative nutrition and with over 20 years experience in both the clinic and the classroom.   Rachel has become one of  Australia’s leading nutritional educators, delivering post-graduate training & mentoring to allied health care professionals and doctors alike. Rachel is regularly asked to speak at key conferences such as those organised by MINDD, ACNEM, NHAA, AIMA & the Australian Osteopathic Association. She also contributes work to authoritative texts including all 4 editions of the award-winning:  Herbs & Natural Supplements – An Evidence Based Guide (Elsevier), all the while still maintaining a very busy private practice, Rachel’s ongoing enthusiasm for the field and for education make her presentations both inspiring and empowering experiences for attendees and frequently attract excellent feedback.  Rachel is a member of the Mindd Foundation Scientific Advisory Board.

Matthew Bourke is the founder and director of Optimum Health Essentials Pty Ltd. Matthew specialises in Applied Kinesiology, Neuro Emotional Technique, Neurolinguistic Programming (Master Practitioner), Positive Psychology, Peak Performance, Functional Biochemistry and Breath Enhancement Training. He has worked in Europe and Australia and studied Vedic philosophy and meditation in India.  Matthew has been a member of the Mindd Foundation Scientific Advisory Board since 2009.

Nutrition for Mother and Child

The topic of clinical nutrition for mothers often focuses around weight; however all pregnant women and new mothers can benefit greatly from targeted nutrient therapies for their individual, unique needs. Annalies will discuss the importance of prenatal nutrition, with additional professional advice for the post-natal time, a phase in a mother’s life where nutritional advice is very vague in the wider health and medical community. With more and more women choosing to breastfeed beyond 12 months of age, clinical nutrition protocols for breastfeeding (including extended breastfeeding) will also feature in this talk”.

Annalies Corse is a Medical Scientist, Naturopath and Lecturer from Sydney. She has worked as a medical researcher in cancer research (CSU), genetics at the Murdoch Institute and as a medical scientist for the Australian Institute of Sport. Annalies has also worked as a scientist in hospital pathology laboratories and private research institutes, specialising in biochemistry, haematology, genetics and microbiology. As a Naturopath, Annalies has practiced from pathology laboratories, specialist allergy clinics and GP clinics. She is the past laboratory manager of Australian Biologics Testing Services in Sydney. Her scientific/clinical skills have seen her train and mentor many practitioners within these clinics. She writes technical academic literature and for the general public.

Creating an Organized Brain: Examining The Process of Neurobiological Development

There appears to be a fundamental intertwining of motor and cognitive milestones with aspects of each not reaching full development until well into adolescence. Under close examination, we see how specific movement sequences not only aid in maturing motor development but also set the foundation for organized neurologic development leading to efficient cognitive processes. Understanding this synergistic process as well as its interrelation with vestibular and cerebellar function illuminates the need to create treatment strategies that address both physical and cognitive interventions simultaneously. The plastic capabilities of the human brain throughout the lifespan make this an exciting consideration for individuals of all ages.

Jim M. Costello is the founder of Neuro-fit Systems, Inc. and the developer of Functional Neuromotor Activation Technique® or FNAT®. Jim began his work as a Chiropractor, practicing for eighteen years before departing the field in 2000 to pursue interventions in the field of addiction and compulsive disorders. While practicing and concurrently studying the reactive brain (sub cortical neurology), he began creating his own protocol and applying principles to ASD and the complexity of learning differences. Over a fifteen year period he developed his own unique program based upon the principles of neuroplasticity and developmental neurology, culminating in the founding of Neuro-fit Systems, Inc. in 2011.

MBBS (Hons QLD) FRACGP, FACNEM: graduated from University of Queensland with 2nd class Hons in 1975; 2 years junior RMO at Royal Brisbane Hospital; 1 year as senior RMO at Atherton Hospital, Nth Qld. He commenced in solo Private Family Practice in Clayfield, Brisbane in 1979. He later formed a multi disciplinary clinic in Clayfield in 1995. In 2016 he had moved his clinic to more spacious and functional facility at Stafford in Brisbane. Dr Golik gained his fellowship in the RACGP in 1982; and is a Fellow and occasional lecturer of the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. His special areas of interest and passion are Autism, ASD, ADHD, Musculoskeletal medicine; Dietary and lifestyle therapy; Thyroid conditions; and the Metabolic Syndrome. He has attended the Bill Walsh Outreach / Training since 2005 and has attended the MINDD conferences since 2005.

Mindful cooking: simplifying out of kitchen chaos for many of us, cooking is an unpleasant chore. This becomes apparent when we’ve had to restrict our diets to deal with difficult health issues that we or the ones we love are suffering, and even more so when the kids refuse to eat. All that hard work!

In this whole-foods cooking workshop, we explore tips on how to re-frame the process of cooking both mentally and in practice. We will be exploring mental strategies to get more joy out of cooking, and tips on organising and cooking healthy, delicious food for the entire family more efficiently and with less stress.

Fouad Kassab is a whole-foods chef and food writer. Born in Lebanon during the height of the civil war, Fouad grew up on anti-biotics and a diet dependant on international aid, heavy with highly refined flour, sugar and skim milk powder. As a result he struggled with weight and health issues.

He moved to Australia in 2001 and battled chronic illness until 2011 when he discovered the insulin hypothesis.  This took him down the path of a low carbohydrate diet which he has refined to include a focus on nutrient-rich eating.  Fouad loves both food and writing and has written for the Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Food Guide and managed several pop-up Sydney restaurants including the gluten -free Chickpea and Baraka restaurants.

Fouad is currently writing a cookbook and also offers cooking classes to teach people how to navigate the world of Paleo and GAPS. You can find out more about me at fouadkassab.com

Hidden Sources of Infection – Oral Health & the Microbiome

“Often the oral structures are ignored by health professionals as a possible cause of chronic infection, inflammation and toxicity affecting the whole body. The mouth also acts as a mirror to what is happening in the rest of the tissues and can give an indication of chronic disease processes occurring elsewhere in the  body. Dr King will discuss the role of the dental team in helping you optimise your health – what to look for as signs of dental causes of infection, the way toxic metals can interact with the gut flora, early diagnosis of developmental problems and co treatment with other health professionals.

Dr Prue King is the founder & co-director of Lotus Dental and Lotus Health in Neutral Bay, Sydney. She actively supports dental health in the context of the whole body by working with other practitioners including naturopaths, chiropractors, osteopaths, massage therapists, holistic GPs, and psychologists to help improve the structural, biochemical and emotional integrity of the body. Dr King has special interests in non-extraction orthodontics, improvement of the airway to help treat sleep & breathing disorders, safe amalgam replacement with biocompatible materials and children’s dentistry – with a philosophy of close monitoring of growing children. Dr King is a member of Australian Dental Association, International Association of Orthodontics, International Association of Oral Medicine & Toxicology (IAOMT), American Academy of Craniofacial pain, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine.

Chiropractic: More than just a backbone treatment

Chiropractic does more than adjust the spine and provide pain relief. Chiropractors are well trained in holistic healthcare which includes structural, biochemical and energetic health.   There is much evidence that Chiropractic care can help treat other areas of the body, including the brain.

Dr Suzanne Labrie BSc (Hons), MSc has more than 18 years experience as a chiropractic using Applied Kinesiology (AK) in a clinical setting.  She combines her knowledge of AK with other structural and emotional techniques and nutritional supplements. Having studied biochemistry and pharmacology as well as Chiropractic, she is passionate about holistic therapies. Suzanne is the Director of Pure Health Chiropractic Clinic in Summer Hill, Sydney and Pure Health Solutions in Ashbury, and runs seminars on using kinesiology for nutritional purposes for other practitioners, which are available online.

Integrative Treatments for Allergies

Leila Masson is an integrative Paediatrician who combines Allopathic Medicine with a nutritional and biomedical approach to help her patients attain optimal health. She received her medical doctorate from the University of Berlin, did her paediatric specialist training at the University of California at San Francisco. She received her Masters in Public Health from Harvard University and her Diploma in Tropical Medicine from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Leila has worked in the US and Europe and volunteered for 2 years setting up a clinic in Pakistan, before moving to New Zealand, where she has lived and worked for the last 12 years. Leila has a busy practice in Auckland, specializing in a holistic approach to children’s health problems, including allergies, asthma, behaviour problems, autism spectrum disorders and ADHD.  Dr Masson is a member of the Mindd Scientific Advisory Board

Personalised Diets

Julie Matthews is an internationally respected autism diet and nutrition specialist.  As a Certified Nutrition Consultant, Julie provides diet and nutrition intervention guidance backed by extensive scientific research and applied clinical experience. She has helped thousands of children worldwide through her public education programs, conferences sessions, private consultations, her blog, and website. Julie serves on the scientific advisory panel of The Autism File, and is an honored member of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP), and is a co-founder of Nourishing Hope®.

Pantry Essentials – Fermenting, Culturing, Activating & Sprouting

Helen is a biomedical naturopath and nutritionist working to help children and adults with Mindd conditions.  Helen utilises nutrition, specific diets, such as GAPS and BED, nutritional supplements, herbal medicine and lifestyle habits to achieve health and treatment goals.  She is passionate about real food, fermented foods and educating and empowering individuals and families to take control of their health.  Helen contributes articles to health magazines and has written a chapter on paediatrics, autism and ADHD for a textbook for practitioners and university students called “Clinical Naturopathic Medicine” by Leah Hechtman, published by Elsevier and released in June 2011.  Helen presents seminars to the public and to professionals and has practices in Sydney Australia, Wellington NZ and consults via skype with patients around the world.  See www.nourish-ed.com for more info.

A Nutritional Approach to Treating Anxiety Disorders

Supplementing with targeted individual amino acid supplements can raise neurotransmitter levels and balance brain chemistry, alleviating anxiety, fear, worry, panic attacks, and stress. They can also address self-medicating with sugar, carbs, gluten and caffeine which often contribute to or exacerbate anxiety. In addition, supplemental amino acids can help with depression, PMS, poor focus/ADHD and insomnia, which we often see in anxious individuals. We will cover symptoms of neurotransmitter imbalances and what amino acids can help balance them.  We will also cover how to stabilise blood sugar for improved mood and better gut health. Finally, we will cover the key nutrients needed to address the social anxiety condition called pyroluria, and how these nutrients further support neurotransmitter production.

Trudy Scott is a certified nutritionist on a mission to educate and empower anxious individuals worldwide about natural solutions for anxiety, stress and emotional eating. Trudy serves as a catalyst in bringing about life enhancing transformations that start with the healing powers of eating real whole food, using individually targeted supplementation and making simple lifestyle changes. She works primarily with women but the information she offers works equally well for men and children. Trudy is past president of the National Association of Nutrition Professionals. She was recipient of the 2012 Impact Award and currently serves as a Special Advisor to the Board of Directors. Trudy is a member of Alliance for Addiction Solutions and Anxiety and Depression Association of America. She was a nominee for the 2015 Scattergood Innovation Award and is a faculty advisor at Hawthorn University. Trudy is the author of The Antianxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood and End Cravings (New Harbinger 2011) and host of The Anxiety Summit.

Your Beliefs, Your Health

Ian Spicer is a Certified PSYCH-K Instructor and Facilitator specializing in high-speed mindset change. Ian has helped thousands of people around the world in workshops and private sessions radically improve their experience of life in areas such as self-esteem, relationships, spirituality, grief from loss., personal power, prosperity, health and body. Ian’s goal is always to help people create a “whole brain state” with respect to life’s challenges, which means helping them create an equal identification of both the left and right cerebral cortex enabling their full response potential.”

Discovery not Deprivation: Navigating Restricted Diets!

When it comes to supporting your medical treatment with specific ways of eating, the #1 tip is to go in with “Discovery, NOT deprivation” mentality. It can be really daunting to try and navigate the world of restricted diets, whatever your needs might be. How do I feel good socialising? How do I stop my kids from feeling like they’re missing out? How do I teach them the importance and joy that comes from eating for their health? Alexx believes that there are many hidden gifts in having to eat a ‘different way’ all of a sudden. She will discuss strategies for feeling empowered in the face of a ‘restricted food diagnosis’ and demonstrate 3 delicious restricted diet treats from her Amazon best-selling book “Real Treats”.

Alexx is on a mission to share the importance and joy of a low tox life, helping people transition in a positive and empowering way. Having had a full career spanning the cosmetics and hospitality industries, Alexx’s passion for uncovering the truths behind what goes ‘on’ and ‘in’ us, quickly became her main professional focus, after healing herself from chronic illness an holistic way. She creates articles, recipes, books and courses to help people towards better health for them and for our planet. Alexx says “Do not Feel Guilty about what you didn’t know yesterday, feel excited about what you’re going to change today”. Alexx is a Mindd Foundation Ambassador.

Exercise as Evidence-based Therapy

What if we had a ‘drug’ that could help to alleviate obesity, depression, decrease aggressive behavior, increase cognitive function, help with attention span, improve sleep quality and potentially influence the gut microbiome at a relatively inexpensive cost. We have that ‘drug’ and it is exercise! What is the current research for implementing exercise as a therapy? Kira will cover the latest evidence on exercise and its influence on our brain, body, behavior and overall wellbeing as it applies to both children and adults. Learn practical tools and simple ideas for integrating movement into daily life and why it’s a vital part of healing the whole person!

Kira Sutherland is an experienced Nutritionist and Naturopath that specialises in Sports Nutrition. As a health educator for over 20 years, Kira has worked with a range of clients internationally including: sports teams, individual athletes, families, health conferences and the media.  She served as the Head of Nutritional Medicine at one of Australia`s leading Naturopathic schools and makes it her mission to educate people rather than just treat them. Currently living between Canada and Australia with her husband and 10 year old daughter (who can almost out ski her), Kira trains and competes in Ironman triathlons and practices what she preaches.

Quirky Cooking for Gut Health

Jo Whitton began her blog ‘Quirky Cooking’ in 2008 as a place to share her recipes and tips for healthy cooking, especially for those with diet challenges. Her best selling cookbook, Quirky Cooking, was published by Thermomix in Australia in 2014, and awarded “Winner of the Gourmand Awards Best Corporate Cookbook – Australia” in 2015. Selling over 70,000 copies since its’ release. Jo is currently working on a Paleo & Wholefoods cookbook with chef Fouad Kassab. Due to her son’s health issues, Jo’s family began the GAPS diet (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) in October 2014, and she regularly documents their progress and her new recipe developments on her social media platforms, and her podcast, ‘A Quirky Journey’. She has also developed an online program called ‘Quirky Cooking for Gut Health’ to help people with cooking for GAPS intro. Quirky Cooking has become a vibrant community where followers can learn to cook delicious, real-food recipes, as well as find help to naturally improve their family’s health and wellbeing. Jo’s passion is nurturing families with healing foods, and supporting those who need to change their diet. Jo speaks at seminars around Australia and overseas, on podcasts and webinars, teaches private and public cooking classes, answers questions from readers on social media daily, and coaches via Skype. Jo’s down to earth, positive approach to life and food has made her well-loved by her many followers.