TRANSFORMING TOUCH (TT) is a TRAUMA-INFORMED body-based therapy approach that was created by Dr. Stephen Terrell, a renowned trauma therapist. It was created to address the symptomology and outcomes of clients who have endured developmental trauma - understood as the traumatic physical responses that were created in a sustained nervous system state of Fight/Flight/Freeze/Fawn in the critical stages of development.

During Transforming Touch, somatic safety is created using intentional, attachment focused touch. Oftentimes, those with developmental trauma do not have the words to describe what has happened to them, or why they may feel unsafe in their own bodies, even when they are living in safer relationships and environments. TT addresses these non-verbal concerns and symptoms, treating them in a gentle, “underwhelming” manner. Safe touch introduces an internal “felt sense” safety in the body much more effectively than traditional talk therapy.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’VE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA?: Some patients have had very clear traumatic experiences, while others are unsure if what they experienced “qualifies” as trauma. We often think TRAUMA applies in the context of soldiers home from battle, or severe childhood abuse, but TRAUMA can include a wider, sometimes less obvious scope of experiences including, but not limited to:

• Witnessing any kind of violence

• Death of a loved one

• Living in an unsafe neighborhood

• Serious accidents or medical procedures

• Serious relationship with a mentally/emotionally/physically abusive person, past or present

• Being constantly put down or shamed by a parent figure

• Growing up in an oppressive environment

• Not getting proper attention from a parent

• Being a caregiver

Trauma-Informed Therapy at SHIFA THERAPEUTICS:Alongside your therapist, you’ll work to identify connections between your trauma experiences and your emotional and behavioral response. Trauma-Informed Therapy offers an evidence based, gentle journey in gaining skills and strategies to better understand, process and cope with emotions and memories tied to your traumatic experiences. This therapy method can empower you to create a healthier and more adaptive meaning of the experience that took place in your life.

Invest in your mental health. Find support today.

What is ADHD and Why is Accurate Diagnosis Crucial?

ADHD is characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning and development. These symptoms can manifest differently in individuals, making diagnosis challenging. Accurate diagnosis is paramount because it paves the way for appropriate treatment and support, ultimately improving the quality of life for those affected. Traditional diagnostic methods often rely heavily on subjective observations and self-reported symptoms. While these approaches have their merits, they can sometimes lead to misdiagnosis or overlooked cases. This is where the QB Test comes into play, offering a more objective and quantifiable assessment of ADHD symptoms.

The QB Test, short for Quantified Behavior Test, is a computerized assessment tool designed to measure the core symptoms of ADHD: attention, impulsiveness, and activity. Unlike traditional pen-and-paper tests or subjective questionnaires, the QB Test provides objective data on a person’s behavior and cognitive performance. This innovative test has gained significant traction in recent years, with healthcare professionals and researchers recognizing its potential to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of ADHD diagnosis. By providing quantifiable metrics, the QB Test complements clinical judgment and helps create a more comprehensive picture of an individual’s symptoms. During the test, participants are asked to respond to certain stimuli on a computer screen while their movements are tracked using an infrared camera. This setup enables the test to capture both cognitive performance and physical activity, providing a multi-dimensional view of the individual’s behavior. It’s worth noting that the QB Test is designed differently for children and adults, taking into account the varying manifestations of ADHD symptoms across age groups.

One of the key strengths of the QB Test lies in its ability to provide objective, measurable data. The test measures several key parameters that are relevant to ADHD symptoms:

·       Attention: This includes measures of sustained attention, vigilance, and the ability to discriminate between target and non-target stimuli.

·       Impulsivity: The test assesses the participant’s ability to inhibit responses to non-target stimuli.

·       Activity: Using motion tracking, the test measures the participant’s physical activity during the assessment.

·       Reaction Time: This metric provides insight into processing speed and response time.

·       Variability: The consistency of responses over time is measured, as high variability is often associated with ADHD.

The QB Test generates scores for each of these parameters, which are then compared to age and gender- matched normative data. This comparison allows clinicians to see how an individual’s performance compares to what is typically expected for their demographic.

When interpreting QB Test results, it’s crucial to understand that ADHD is not defined by a single score or cutoff point. Instead, the test provides a profile of performance across different domains. Typically, individuals with ADHD may show higher scores in measures of inattention, impulsiveness, and activity compared to neurotypical individuals.

QB Testing Process and Experience

1.  Preparation: Before the test, you’ll be asked to

•    avoid excessive caffeine and any medications that might affect your performance- especially your ADHD medications (under medical supervision).

•    Get plenty of sleep.

2.  Setup: You’ll be seated in front of a computer screen with an infrared camera positioned to track your movements.

3.  Instructions: The test administrator will explain the task and provide practice trials to ensure you understand what to do.

4.  The Test: Depending on the version, the test typically lasts 15-20 minutes for children and 20-30 minutes for adults. You’ll be asked to respond to certain stimuli on the screen while ignoring others. Plan for the testing portion of your appointment to be up to one hour.

5.  Results: You will have a separate feedback appointment with Dr. Azhar to review the results. This appointment will be between 15 and 30 minutes.

The Role of QB Test in Comprehensive ADHD Assessment

The QB Test is usually conducted in a quiet, distraction-free environment to ensure the most accurate results. It’s important to get a good night’s sleep before the test and to approach it with a calm mindset. After the test, the results are typically analyzed by a healthcare professional who will interpret them in the context of your overall clinical picture. It’s worth noting that while the QB Test provides valuable data, it’s just one piece of the diagnostic puzzle.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Shifa will verify insurance prior to testing.

United Health Care does not cover the cost of testing. United Health Care patients, and Self-Pay patients will be responsible for the cost of testing - $100.00. Payment is made at time of the appointment.

Please note, not all insurance plans pay for feedback on test results when they occur on the same day as a medication appointment. When this is the case, patients can choose to move the medical appointment to another date or to make direct payment to Shifa Therapeutics for the feedback portion of the testing appointment.

Learn more: www.qbtech.com

QBT 2025 Leaflet - PDF

GeneSight Psychotropic Test

Is the GeneSight Test Right for You? Has a mental health medication failed you in the past? Is your current mental health medication not working? Does your mental health medication cause unwanted side effects.

Medication trial and error can feel frustrating. We know the process of finding medications for mental health conditions like depression, anxiety or ADHD can be time-consuming and debilitating. The GeneSight® test may help.

The GeneSight Psychotropic test analyzes how your genes may affect your outcomes with medications commonly prescribed to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions. The test provides your provider with information about which medications may require dose adjustments, may be more or less likely to work, or may have an increased risk of side effects based on your genetic makeup.

What is the GeneSight Psychotropic Test?

The GeneSight MTHFR test shows whether a person has variation in their MTHFR, an enzyme required to convert folic acid and dietary folate into its active form - methyl folate. The result may reveal which medications to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions.

No food or drink for 30 minutes prior to testing. Testing is a pain free cheek swab on the inside of each cheek.

Results are available 2 weeks after submission. Your provider will review the report with you at your appointment.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Patients who have Medicaid and Medicare generally pay zero for testing.

Test administration fee for Shifa patients is $25.00. For non-Shifa patients, the fee is $50.00. The fee is paid directly to Shifa Therapeutics and not covered by insurance.

When the company receives your sample, they will review your insurance benefits to estimate your out-of-pocket cost. If it could be more than $330, we will call you before processing the test to discuss your options, including canceling the test at no cost to you. The company has a very helpful customer service department and may offer financial assistance.

Learn more: www.genesight.com

Description text goes here

Creyos combines proprietary online tasks with digitized behavioral health questionnaires. Healthcare providers get a complete, research-backed solution for detecting cognitive impairment and behavioral health conditions that’s flexible, engaging, accurate, and reimbursable.

30+ years of scientific research - The Creyos Health platform is backed by decades of scientific research and an in-house team of scientists.

400+ peer reviewed studies - The Creyos Health platform has been used in hundreds of peer reviewed scientific studies.

10,000+ healthcare providers -Tens of thousands of providers trust Creyos in their practices to evaluate patient cognition and behavioral health.

Data-driven Decision Making:

Creyos helps to spot issues that may otherwise go unnoticed and to better distinguish between co-morbid conditions. Creyos enables systematic and objective evaluation of cognitive and behavioral patterns with enough sensitivity to help with early detection, measurement, and timely intervention that drive informed decisions and measurement-based care. Derived from validated pen-and- paper tests, Creyos cognitive tasks swiftly and accurately gauge crucial brain functions. Providers receive real-time, quantifiable insights into a patient’s short-term memory, reasoning, attention, and verbal ability, enabling more precise clinical decisions and treatment planning.

Behavioral Health Questionnaires for More Efficient Assessment

Digital versions of standardized patient self-report health questionnaires aid in diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing mental health monitoring of patients in a consistent and scalable way, aiding providers with the ability to deliver superior care and treatment programs to their patients.

Creyos enables easy assessment and monitoring of potential cognitive impairments and other symptoms such as mood disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD and more. That means more objective evaluation, improved patient care. Creyos empowers providers to deliver precise diagnoses, offer tailored treatment, and enhance provider to patient communication. With objective data on cognitive and behavioral health, providers can swiftly alleviate symptoms and confidently monitor medication impact. This evidence-based approach enables patients to experience improved outcomes and thrive under care.

SPECIAL NOTES:

Shifa will verify insurance prior to testing.

Please note, not all insurance plans pay for feedback on test results when they occur on the same day as a medication appointment. When this is the case, patients can choose to move the medical appointment to another date or to make direct payment to Shifa Therapeutics for the feedback portion of the testing appointment.

The cost for testing is $100.00 for Self-Pay patients. Payment is made at time of the appointment.

Learn more: https://creyos.com/