North Idaho Neurotherapy Clinic welcomes John DeWig

By Patty Hutchens Reader Contributor

The North Idaho Neurotherapy Clinic recently announced the addition of John DeWig, MS to its team, led by Dr. Linda Larson.

DeWig, a Minnesotan who comes to North Idaho by way of California, is a talk therapy and neurotherapy-based clinician with more than 15 years of experience working with a wide variety of patient populations. His expertise and experience allows the clinic to expand its services treating a variety of brain disorders, including — but not limited to — traumatic brain injury, attention deficit disorder, anxiety and addiction.

These and other mental health diagnoses are becoming increasingly more prevalent in our society. Unlike a broken bone that can be diagnosed through an X-ray, issues related to brain function are more difficult to diagnose and even more complex to treat. Thankfully, due to advances in the field, people are now experiencing healing when they had otherwise lost hope.

Through the use of a non-invasive, quantitative EEG brain map, Larson and DeWig can measure, analyze and quantify brainwaves. After gathering data and comparing that information against different databases of hundreds of others’ EEGs, the team can determine where an individual is different from others, giving information on everything from addiction, depression, traumatic brain injuries and more.

Practitioners are able not only to see the brainwaves under different situations, but can also see the relationship of the brainwaves to one another, look at the symmetry of the brain, the stability of brainwave relationships and areas where the brain may be generating signals that may be manifesting as problematic symptoms and behaviors. Once all of the data is interpreted, a treatment plan can be executed.

“Treatment in our clinic involves neurostimulation, which is often referred to as neuromodulation, and is what makes us unique from other neurofeedback providers,” said Larson, adding that the clinic provides both.

DeWig explained that neuromodulation can be accomplished through classic conditioning that involves giving the brain the desired frequency to mimic and allowing that process to work.

“In time, the brain can be conditioned to respond in a more desired way,” DeWig said. “Other biofeedback methods related to heart rate variability can also be applied to help facilitate this process.”

In addition to his degree in marriage and family therapy, DeWig holds a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, which facilitated his journey as a neurofeedback and biofeedback technician.

For four years prior to moving to Idaho, DeWig practiced in Santa Bar- bara, Calif., at NeuroField Neurotherapy, Inc. There, he worked under the direction of Dr. Nicholas Dogris, the co-founder of Neurofield, Inc, which developed specialized neurostimulation and neurofeedback used in North Idaho Neurotherapy’s clinic. Prior to that, DeWig worked for Pure Recovery, based in Oxnard, Calif., where he worked with NFL players who had suffered traumatic brain injuries.

DeWig is currently in the process of receiving his QEEG certification, a distinction given to those who exhibit competency in the reading of electroencephalographic data (EEG), as well as mastery of the quantification of that data as seen in brain maps. He is also working toward becoming BCIA (Biofeedback Certification International Alliance) Board Certified. This certification is given to individuals who meet education and training standards in both biofeedback and neurofeedback.

“I am thrilled to have John join our team,” Larson said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our clinic and community. This will expand the services and availability of Neurotherapy and help for individuals and families.”

For more information, visit nidnt.com or contact the office at 208-255-6057.