Meet Clackamas Health Centers Behavioral Health in Oregon!

Clackamas Health Centers Behavioral Health has been transforming lives across Oregon by integrating innovative therapies like neurofeedback into their comprehensive mental health services. With a dedicated team of 15 trained neurofeedback clinicians and 13 NeuroAmps, they provide personalized care tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs. Their commitment fosters long-term success and well-being, leveraging ILF neurofeedback to achieve life-changing results for clients of all ages.

The impact of neurofeedback has been transformative for their clients:

• A 10-year-old girl, once withdrawn, has reconnected with her family, fostering a stronger bond and reducing challenging behaviors.
• A mother of four found calm and resilience, inspiring her to pursue higher education as a role model for her daughters.
• A musician overcame isolation, discovering joy in activities like bouldering and swing dancing while preparing for graduate school.
• A client with chronic suicidal ideation experienced relief after 20 sessions, saying, “This is the best version of me.”

Since 2015, Clackamas has utilized BEE Medic equipment, training through EEGInfo and the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project. They share, "BEE Medic equipment is user-friendly and has helped us seamlessly integrate ILF neurofeedback for a diverse range of clients. The passionate support and expertise from the BEE Medic team have been invaluable."

Clackamas Health Centers Behavior Health exemplifies how neurofeedback can profoundly change lives. Their dedication to innovation and compassionate care demonstrates the powerful role practitioners like you play in advancing mental health treatment.

With several locations in Oregon, Clackamas Health Centers Behavioral Health is dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve their mental wellness goals. Their multidisciplinary team includes therapists, case managers, psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, and peer support specialists, providing a comprehensive range of behavioral health services:

• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Skills training
• Medication evaluation and management
• Care coordination and case management
• Crisis intervention
• Pharmacy (Genoa)
• OHP application assistance
• Supported employment and education
• Peer support services

Get In Touch

Phone: 503-655-8401

Website: clackamas.us/healthcenters

Although mental health is getting more and more attention, one aspect is often neglected: men's mental health. The traditional idea that men have to be ‘tough’ and must not show weakness often leads to men ignoring mental health problems and rarely seeking help (Krumm et al., 2017). The effects can manifest in men in the form of depression, substance misuse and an alarmingly high suicide rate. (Canetto & Sakinofsky, 1998).

Why men often do not seek help
Social expectations and cultural norms have an enormous influence on men's behaviour, especially when it comes to admitting weaknesses. Men experience strong societal pressure to conform to characteristics that are considered masculine. These perceptions prevent many men from sharing their feelings or seeking professional help. In fact, research shows that men are less likely to seek psychological support compared to women, which can lead to untreated, often severe problems (Addis & Mahalik, 2003; Krumm et al., 2017).

Distraction instead of coping
In order to deal with psychological stress, many men resort to various strategies that are usually only partially effective (Mahalik et al., 2003; Levant & Wimer, 2014). Some men try to focus on solutions instead of dealing with their feelings and tackling the problem at its source. Others use distractions such as sports or work to escape the emotional pain. Unfortunately, this can also have negative sides: Repression and substance abuse are also common mechanisms that often exacerbate the condition (Levant & Wimer, 2014).

November becomes Movember
In addition to Men's Health Awareness Month in June, November is all about male mental health. Movember is a global initiative that draws attention to men's health issues such as mental health and prostate cancer. The moustache is the symbol for this movement, which is intended to become a topic of conversation and stimulate reflection. The message behind it is clear: men are not alone with their problems and health should not be a taboo subject.

How neurofeedback can help
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive therapeutic approach in which brainwave activity is measured to provide real-time feedback to the patient. Neurofeedback is mainly used in therapy to improve the ability to self-regulate. This approach means that neurofeedback can be used as a therapy component for many different mental illnesses. For example, it can also be used for depression or addiction. Experience shows that neurofeedback can also be an attractive therapy method for people who have problems opening up and talking about their feelings. Neurofeedback brings a certain lightness to the therapy, in which patients do not have to actively perform, but can relax and follow an animation or a video game.

Neurofeedback should always be seen in the context of an overall treatment strategy. It represents a therapy component alongside, for example, behavioural therapy or medication. It is important that symptoms and neurofeedback treatment are discussed with a doctor or therapist.
 

Sources:

Addis, M. E., & Mahalik, J. R. (2003). Men, masculinity, and the contexts of help-seeking. American psychologist

Canetto, S. S., & Sakinofsky, I. (1998). The gender paradox in suicide. Suicide and Life‐Threatening Behavior

Krumm, S., Checchia, C., Koesters, M., Kilian, R., & Becker, T. (2017). Men's views on depression: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative research. Psychopathology

Levant, R. F., & Wimer, D. J. (2014). Masculinity constructs as protective buffers and risk factors for men’s health. American journal of men's health