Mon. Sep 25th, 2023

VFP#0-Intervention / Pastoral Solutions

1. What it is and what it isn’t.

Our Alternative Education Provision is essentially a consultancy service for those who provide care, life skills and therapeutic education.

It may be accessed through workshops, wellbeing experiences, or from direct practical intervention from our staff.

It is mainly for pupils who struggle to engage with normal mindfulness and relaxation interventions. It is for those pupils who can’t learn and for those who won’t learn or disrupt the class. Every pupil, environment and circumstance is different – our solution is flexible and enables us to help children heal from their individual experiences of living with trauma, pain, and loss.

  1. Our approach is underpinned by: Polyvagal Theory and
  2. The Neurosequential Model of Education.
  3. We also us our own VFP BLUEPRINT & REVIEW

#1. Using practical applications of Polyvagal theory it seeks to nutrure your learning and practical skills to engage the PNS (Parasympathetic Nervous System) to improve social engagement. It also uses insights from the SPIM (Somatic Psychological Interactive Model) – in that it distinguishes 7 stages of trauma severity, and cross references this with 3 levels of intensity. This can be useful in identifying the most suitable strategy for each individual.

#2. The Neurosequential Model is not a specific therapeutic technique or intervention; it is a way to organize a child’s history and current functioning. The goal of this approach is to structure assessment of a child, the articulation of the primary problems, identification of key strengths and the application of interventions (educational, enrichment and therapeutic) in a way that will help family, educators, therapists and related professionals best meet the needs of the child.

Our approach is complimentary to AHCT Therapy (Assessment and Healing of Complex Trauma) – as used within certain educational establishments – our short video clarifies this:

Our Alternative Education Provision (consultancy service) provides an effective ‘measurement & time based resolution approach’ that provides a positive experience for re-engaging with students who may have social, emotional or mental health (SEMH) needs, or have experienced trauma; and may now be suffering from poor quality sleep; a lack of emotional control and poor memory or learning faculties as well as a low immune system – PLUS THEY MAY ALSO SUFFER FROM:

  • ODD – OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT DISORDER
  • ADD/ADHD
  • AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
  • ANXIETY, STRESS or DEPRESSION
  • SEIZURES
  • BRAIN FOG / LACK OF FOCUS
  • OCD or ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOUR
  • HYPER or HYPO SENSITIVITY
  • HEARING or BALANCE SENSITIVITY
  • EATING DISORDERS

Our provision provides personalised and creative learning opportunities based on feelings of safety, trust, relaxation and positivity (avoiding that which triggers negativity). We seek to  improve social interaction through a combination of ‘activity / touch therapy’ (physical and thoughtful play & creativity), and  incorporate music, guided drawing, gentle discussion and ‘PEMF (Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field*0) Therapy Devices’ and ‘gaming technology’ (HRV Neurofeedback Games*1). We introduce and constantly develop ‘SCP’ (Scheduled Cycles of Positivity) that induce / entrain positive changes in sub-conscious behaviour.

With our ‘SCP’ we plan a “Scheduled Cycle of Positivity”; this is unique and subject to the individual being supported. It evolves by enabling the student(s) time to experience being themselves without any thought, discussion, emotional attachment, or learning requirement disrupting the moment – this purposefully avoids conscious negativity (including triggers, thoughts & memories). We can vary the time with each student from 1 hour to 6 hours per day, the key aspect is having them for 9-12 weeks.

  • It purposefully avoids ‘talk therapy /CBT’, and purely focuses on being in the now and being relaxed.
  • It delays any mindfulness and meditation, which may be extremely negative when approached at the wrong time – as in when someone is still negative (CBT may trigger negative emotions and thoughts).

It ultimatley involves using the SSP*2 with guided art; and works very well alongside HRV; before progressing to a variety of focused breathing techniques and the use of visual and audio affirmations and natural cycles to create a rhythm for more ‘focused work-reward’ experiences. It then progresses into gentle, positive social interaction, creativity and resilience (and starts to mirror the classwork of mainstream lessons) and/or uses a more creative curriculum that better nurtures enthusiasm, interest and purpose.

After a period of 9 – 12 weeks we progress to The Neurosequential Model, when it is hoped the student is better developed to learn and better placed to self-articulate solutions and approaches to aid self development and learning.

Reminder – If you are interested in our support services, it may be accessed through workshops, wellbeing experiences, or from direct practical intervention from our staff.

Additional Energy / Therapy Modalities:

We may also use modalities such as EFT (Emotional Freedon Technique – “Tapping”) – and this may be used with or as an alternative to PEMF or after SSP.

Be Super have access to a wide range of qualified and experienced energy therapists. Many of these modalities may also be used at a distance. With training and in some cases, simple guidance, the benefits of these therapeutic modalities, may also be used by staff (teachers, carers and support staff)

For those who are not ready for SSP:

*0 – ‘PEMF (Pulsed ElectroMagnetic Field*0) Therapy Devices’ are used extensively due to their ease and flexibility. We have experienced many individuals who cannot self-regulate in a timely and appropriate manner. PEMF devices (especially the NeoRhythm) entrains the brainwave frequencies to be more relaxed. They support and guide an individual into a calm and relaxed state by pulsing the appropriate electromagnetic frequency through the brain. These devices may be worn during active sessions or before a work based or lesson based environment. Click here for more details.

2. What is the measurement criteria and why?

*1 – HRV (Heart Rate Variability) is used as a measurement criteria to establish a base level for ‘stress / positivity’ – (more specifically ‘coherence’). Heart rate variability (HRV) is one of the ways you can measure your vagal tone and can be a great indicator of overall health (mental and physical) and indicates an ability to heal (emotionally and physically). It is an objective measurement based on the bodies truthful response to what is going on ‘in and around’ a person.

The HRV Neurofeedback Games provide a self-learning experience for the student to better regulate anxiety and improve calmness, mental clarity, positivity and creativity. This will manifest itself with improved social interaction and a greater willingness and ability to learn. This positivity will also be mirrored by an increase in HRV (providing ongoing evaluation criteria to support soft outcomes).

The PEMF and HRV better prepares people for SSP –

*2 – SSP (Safe and Sound Protocol) using the Unyte/iLs App involves 30min scheduled headphone listening to ‘acoustically altered sounds’ that positively stimulate the Parasympathetic Nervous System of the Vagal Nerve (inducing your sub-consciousness to be relaxed, creative and positive). The SSP is a portal to the Social Engagement System, and it has a powerful impact on how someone interacts with other people and their environment. Resulting new behaviours reflect an increased sense of safety in the world, yet ‘they are fragile and can be disrupted if not recognized and responded to in a positive manner’ – hence, SSP, should only be overseen by a qualified practitioner.

Essentially, the SSP is opening the system for greater engagement. The aspect of ‘SAFETY’ must come before the SOUND experience takes place. What comes with and after the SSP will then cement and extend the gains. VFP/BTJ is UNIQUE in providing additional complimentary physical activity that increases HRV, and journeys someone further down the ‘newly opened positive pathway’. It is the repeated and consistent responses from the people in contact with the ‘focused person’ that will enhance (or hinder) their new sense of safety and reinforce the new behaviour.

Subsequently, it is essential the SSP (Safe and Sound Protocol) and supporting activities are directed and delivered by a qualified SSP therapist or a suitably trained guide (we can provide training courses). A specific parental / carer / support pack is provided as part of the preparatory phase of this experience.

School : Home Mirror Affect Ratio:

In most instances the full benefits of this Intervention / Pastoral Solution are only maximised and become long lasting when they are duplicated at home as well as in the learning environment. This is even more relevant during Covid -19 restrictions, home learning and reduced social interactions. Subsequently, our Alternative Education Provision provides pastoral support opportunities for the parents / carers to also experience the HRV Neurofeedback Games, and to experience the acoustically altered music used in the SSP experience. Furthermore, support and guidance are provided to try and ensure that the home environment is as safe, trusting, relaxed and AWARE as possible.

3. How long does it take to affect long lasting positive behavioural change?

Our Alternative Education Provision normally takes 9 – 12 weeks to affect positive behavioural change (return someone to a mainstream class). When fully supported (at school and at home); it is so effective that some individuals have been able to reduce their medication or in some circumstances completely stop the use of medication after the experience. The graphics below gives a more vivid explanation of what is provided and how it works.

Before studying the graphics it is important to recognise what our Alternative Education Provision is not –

Our Alternative Education Provision IS NOT AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR THE CAUSE OF TRAUMA –  There is a time and place for this – and it is NOT NOW. This is the time to provide a positive starting pathway that better prepares someone to ‘clear deep rooted trauma’ for a later clearing stage (it is counter productive to expose vulnerability until someone is strong enough to overcome it).

Please take your time to study the following graphics – a picture often paints many words . . .

Progressive-Sequence-Relaxation-Coherence

The graphic above shows the progressive approach (the arrow signifies “TIME”) and explains what takes place

The graphics below represents the relaxed manner in which physical / mental togetherness achieves the tuning that is necessary to apply the HRV sessions.

Togetherness

After ‘the tuning’ has taken place using physical activities, play and creativity, then the benefits of PEMF and HRV technology and SSP (Sound Therapy) lead to activation of the happy hormones (the Parasympathetic Nervous System) and this leads to a greater willingness and ability to listen and learn and to socialise better. This is then re-enforced with visual and audio affirmations and a scheduled cycle of positivity (SCP).

SSP Safe and Sound Therapy

Pastoral Support is often overlooked for professionals and those who appear stable:

Professionals such as Doctors and Nurses, Health and Sport Therapists and Practitioners, Teachers / Educators, Police Officers and business owners and managers / team leders – plus many people who simply strive to do their best with honesty and integrity – they all have moments (for some weeks and for some years) when doubt, anxiety, stress and a lack of ‘deeper’ purpose impacts negatively on them and on those around them (including the children of busy and ‘well to do’ parents/carers).

Where do you go from here?

If you have any questions or wish to book a consultation simply ring Marcus Pearson – 07931 326 164

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Some of the negative effects of Covid-19 include:

  • Struggling to deal with loss and / or feeling isolated or lonely..
  • Joint pain, loss of energy and weakness.
  • Feeling unsafe and not knowing why.
  • Confusion and frustration with not understanding what is going on.
  • A lack of trust with people, situations and places.
  • The lack of stucture and order and not knowing what to do with your time.
  • Brain fog - not being able to concentrate or think clearly.
  • Struggling to have longer conversations and discussions about positive and creative opportunities - and too much negative talk.
  • Couples and families stuggle interacting together due to a lack of personal and joint purpose in life.

The severe isolation measures imposed by governments have been traumatic to the psyche of people; to the extent, many have the fear of getting tests done and or divulging the results to authorities for fear of loss of income or further isolation. Others live every moment on the edge of media releases and feel totally reliant on vaccinations and guidance and rules on how to live.

THE BIGGER PERSPECTIVE - FURTHER CAUSES OF NEGATIVITY . . .

Society has created a situation where many people have an overdependence on other people for guidance and regulations on how they live. This can be clearly seen with those people who have retired or are suddenly not working and do not know what to do with their time. For many people walking the dog, watching some form of day time TV and cooking, represent the limits of their activity. Their social interaction and discussions are based around such activity or in discussing the limitaions imposed on them and everyone else -

"very few people do something that is both creative and of benefit for themsleves and others; furthermore, they do not discuss the creative process for making this happen - they have lost (or never developed) this self-relience and love of life - they are lost within an 'auto-pilot' existence" -

THIS IS THE BIGGER PERSPETIVE THAT COVID-19 HIGHLIGHTS!

When individals within a relationship or within a family, educational, work or team environment, lack any purpose in life or don't have any creative ideas to stimulate their emotions or thoughts, then they are more dependent on external forces to influence their behaviour. The majority of outside forces are negative, therfore most of the time people will be negative. Covid-19 is not the cause of this negativity - it highlights the hidden problems faced by most people and society.

This post provides a short practical instruction on how to conduct a quick coherence / QUICK CALMING/POSITIVITY PRACTICE:

The optimal times for doing this practice are:

  • first thing in the morning whilst still in bed (before getting up)
  • First thing when you get to work or school etc.
  • every 90 mins once you are active and the day has begun
  • when you get back in bed to settle for a sleep.

It is perfect when combined with other people (especially smaller groups) just before a meeting/lesson/meal.  It may even be used by a family group or a group of friends or work/school/college friends - perhaps in conjunction with an agreed 'positive statement/affirmation'.

Whilst it helps to reduce stress; with the 'the more advanced breathing progression' it is most beneficial in promoting a feeling of wellbeing and positivity; and in activating your parasympathetic nervous system (your feel good system). Once activated this may lead to positive stimulation that facilitates exceptional mental and physical performance, or, if you are relaxing, it will lower your heart rate, lower your brain frequency and promote better rest and natural sleep patterns. When a calm and positive state is maintained for longer and longer periods (with monitoring and practice) then it leads to 'flow' and extends the 'optimal arousal zone'.

Quick Coherence only takes 1 - 2 minutes (it is best done with your eyes closed):

Welcome - By following this short process you will feel calm, positive and energised. The process will work even better when you smile during the process and continue smiling after it has finished - let us begin - you may keep your eyes open or close them - do whatever helps you focus . . .

  • Focus your attention on your heart just to the left of centre in your chest. If it helps, place the fingers of your right hand over the heart so you can physically feel your heart beat - then relax.
  • As you breathe in, visualise the air going into your heart. As you visualise breathing in, count to between 4 and 7 and with each count visualise your heart expanding your belly. Continue doing this until you find your own natural timing. Once you have established your natural breathing in cycle move to step 3.
  • As you breath out and feel your belly go down, visualise either:
    • a special place that makes you feel good; or
    • visualise what you are doing that makes you feel so good;
    • and /or visualise a person or group of people that makes your love come out.
    • as you become more familiar with this, and as it becomes easier to do - focus on giving appreciation or gratitude to someone and allow your love to come out.
  • More advanced breathing progression - once you have become familiar with all of the above - then as you continue with the heart felt focus - PROLONG the breathing out stage, so it is between 3 and 5 seconds longer than your breathing in stage. Then continue this staggered breathing cycle for between 1 and 3 mins. This will physiologically activate your parasympathetic nervous system and stimulate creative and happy hormones.

Adopt quick coherence as a pattern of positive performance:

The quick coherence practice, including the more advanced breathing progression, may also be used in the build up to a high performance related activity - especially as a precursor for being in the flow zone. This is perfect for activities such as climbing or skill related performance or even high intense muscular activities such as arm wrestling, powerlifting, strongman event and surprisingly combat sports - because the more you can perceive stress as a positive opportunity, the greater you will maximise your optimal flow zone perform to your maximum potential. When stress is perceived as being negative, it increases anxiety, increases muscle tension, reduces reaction times and speed and reduces power. Negative stress leads to a quicker loss of energy and reduces mental clarity and sharpness.

Smile and be positive.

Group / team coherence:

Imagine the benefits to a team if you all acknowledged gratitude for one another prior to starting a more physical warm up or at the end of a warm just before you went out to compete. This would minimise stress and allow you to perform at even higher levels of intensity for much longer.  

When Phil Jackson began coaching the Chicago Bulls - and later the Los Angeles Lakers - he says he used the Zen philosophy of mindfulness to help build both teams.

sports-team-quick-coherence

Coherence practice is used by the NHS in Derbyshire:

Quick coherence may be used to overcome feelings of anxiety, stress and help calm you or someone else down when they are feeling their behaviour is becoming more challenging to others.

(https://my.dchs.nhs.uk/Portals/0/Health%20Psychology%20The%20Quick%20Coherence%20Technique_1.pdf)

More scientific research on this is available at - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4179616/

Monitoring and measuring coherence can be done using new technology and with the correct insights.

Elimination is the lowest level of consciousness and calibrates <20:

The strategy for getting yourself or someone else out of this stage is provided below:

The VFP strategy for achieving higher/more positive 'natural patterns / cycles of being' is to re-tune your mental and emotional energy fields, so they do the 'right things' on an automatic basis (using your autonomic nervous system), rather than a cognitive basis (having to think and feel if what you are doing is working).

This approach is more significant when dealing with those at the lowest levels of consciousness. Such individuals 

  • You must have natural cycles of imbalance in your life. These should be positive in maximising you as a physical being. Look at every situation as an opportunity!
  • You should maximise the functioning and capabilities of your physical body/mind.
  • You should maximise your individual creativity and find purpose in all that you do.
  • You should be your best and give yourself for the benefit of all.

When you do this you will find love will allowed to flow from you and you will attract it!

You can’t tune into Love when you have negative forces influencing you - 'love is felt through tuning in to the truth'.

Love is not felt when someone is holding you back and not caring for you as best they can.

You cannot hold other people responsible for their imperfections in respect of your relationship. You need to break negative cycles with people - this does not mean you have to stop being with them, or loving or caring for them; but it does mean you must take responsibility yourself for following more positive natural cycles. If you are not capable of allowing love to come out of yourself for your TRUE SPIRITUAL BEING then your imperfect physical being will dominate your life. You must learn to let love come out by turning negative thoughts and emotions into opportunities to help yourself and others.

You must stop feeling sorry for yourself and you must stop using others as an excuse.

You are not an 'imprisoned physical being' - you may feel like one, and may be treated like one - but you have the opportunity to change this.

When your mind thinks with moving pictures rather than thinks with words (self-talk), then the results/benefits are significantly better.

Mental imagery is a more intuitive process than an intellectual one. It allows you to influence and take control of your unconscious and subconscious; whereas self-talk and worded affirmations focus your influence within your conscious mind.

For most people the language of imagery is commonly experienced during REM sleep at night or whilst daydreaming. However, becoming aware of images whilst waking simply requires us to give it more focus than we currently do. Most people self-talk rather than self image!

Scientific research confirms the benefits of imagery for improving health:

Doctors prescribe pharmaceuticals that control the mind through the body; eg. tranquilizers, antidepressants and anaesthetics. In much the same way, we can use the mind to control the body - and imagery is far more effective at doing this than self talk. There are at least two major scientific journals devoted to imagery research; one from Marquette University (The Journal of Mental Imagery) and one from Yale University (Imagination, Cognition and Personality).

Mental imagery may be used as a process for reacting to experiences (negative or positive), however, it is more powerful when used as a way of 'creating new experiences'. After successive repetitions/cycles (21 days being a natural cycle time that changes behaviour) then the physical body attunes with the mind to make the mental imagery reality - THIS IS A PROVEN BENEFIT!

Within the VFP Digital Tuning Chart we have created audio links that explains how to use imagery to help create your own good health (this is an ongoing development).

 

HRV (Heart Rate Variability):

In terms of 'measuring SPIRITUAL BEING REALISATION' or 'SPIRITUAL COHERENCE' - it may be measured on a physical basis by HRV (Heart Rate Variability). However, what you have to realise is that SPIRITUAL COHERENCE extends beyond your physical being and HRV is therefore limited in its potential to measure the higher levels of consciousness. It would be reasonable to estimate that below the level of 200 HRV is low and not smooth. Peak HRV will start and continue at a level of approx 250. Above this level HRV will peak but it will not indicate your level of consciousness - this can be better estimated using the VFP Digital Tuning Chart.

The similarity between SPIRITUAL COHERENCE and HRV, is that HRV maintains 'high activity, smooth sine wave cycles' regardless of the heart rate or brain wave frequency (excitatory or inhibitory) - and SPIRITUAL COHERENCE maintains 'natural/balanced cycles of smooth waves - that can be excitatory or inhibitory' - so they are very similar to measure!

When SPIRITUAL COHERENCE occurs, on a physical basis, the heart and brain waves become more synchronised / tuned in to one another on an autonomic basis. The important aspect to measure is not whether the heart or brain frequencies are high or low - but that the 'HRV is high and smooth', thus showing a willingness and readiness for either positive/excitatory or negative/inhibitory states. Good coherence indicates a wide range of optimal flow zone frequencies (an ability to perceive stress as a positive challenge, rather than something negative to overcome).

Coherence and a good HRV are indicators of:

  • Positive relationships.
  • Creative initiatives between positive people.
  • Problem solving and group decision making.
  • Bonding and mutual support.

Quick coherence practice is only part of the VFP Tuning Protocol; By following the VFP retuning protocol you will reduce and prevent the negative effects of stress, fatigue and exhaustion, sleep disruption, anxiety and burnout - you will feel calm, positive and energised.

VFP uses the Inner Balance App in conjunction with the Bluetooth sensor from Heart Math to measure HRV. By recording your HRV before any interventions/therapy sessions, during the sessions and after the sessions we can better evaluate the impact of our VFP Protocol.