Nutritional and Integrative Medicine for Mental Health

• Module 1 – Introduction

Introduction to the principles of nutritional psychology and Integrative Medicine and how the ethics and scope of practice may change when integrated in psychotherapeutic practice. An overview of the research that links diet and nutrition to mental illness and its implications for treatment. A presentation of the Brainbow Blueprint® as an effective methodology of using an integrative approach with discussion of clinical applications. Assessment of specific topics including integrative mental health methods, complementary and alternative medicine, stress, inflammation, depression, self-medication, digestion, nutrition, diet, the influence of nutrition on improving mental health.

• Module 2 – Ethics & Culture

An overview of scope of practice and laws governing the practice of nutrition and integrative health methods based on state and federal laws, and demonstration of the use of a national map to identify state laws. Review and demonstration of examples of each mental health disciplines’ codes of ethics about wellness, psychoeducation and culture. Description of competency and levels of practice and strategies for collaboration across disciplines. Presentation of statistics on the use of CAM strategies across cultures, introduction of the cultural formulation interview of the DSM-5 to facilitate cultural humility.

• Module 3 – Mental & Physical Assessment

An overview of what comprises an integrative assessment and how clients benefit when clinicians help them understand the relationship between their emotional, mental and physical symptoms and well-being. Discussion of the research on the relationship between ACES and chronic health problems, including self-harm and excessive elective surgeries. Tools are demonstrated with a live case model about how to conduct a motivational and psycho-educational assessment of nutritional and integrative self-care. How to reframe shaming statements and how to set simple goals for behavioral change.

• Module 4 – Circadian & Ultradian Rhythm

An explanation of the psychobiology of the circadian rhythm as an underlying influence on mood and sleep cycles as it contributes to depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. The 24-hour stress hormone cycle as an indicator of endogenous depression and chronic stress. Specific tools for helping clients re-regulate the cycle along with the evidence for the use of light and dark therapies, melatonin, and vitamin B-12. The biology of light and its effect on the brain and its use for cognitive decline and dementia. An integrative approach to support the special needs of adolescents and to balance circadian rhythm in mood disorders.

• Module 5 – Yoga, Exercise & Sound

The science and clinical application of diverse types of exercises matched to different symptom areas. A review of aerobic and anaerobics and relaxation exercises, and when to introduce and use based on. The presentation focuses on differentiating exercises that decrease or may increase dissociation, and special exercises for body image and body dysphoria are demonstrated. The links between disorders, breathing, and anxiety are discussed. An assessment for hyperventilation syndrome is explained, and specific yoga and breathing exercises that retrain the upper accessory muscles to improve function are demonstrated. The use of sound therapies to synchronize the right-left hemispheres of the brain, and the role of singing and toning to enhance respiratory capacity and reduce anxiety is examined.

• Module 6 – Digestion & Mental Health

An overview of the gut-brain axis and the relationship between digestion and mental health. The process of digestion is reviewed and the common symptoms of poor digestion and their link to autonomic hyper creativity is explained. The bi-directional connection between the first and second brain is explained with an analysis of the role of prebiotics and probiotics for their contribution to neurotransmitters GABA and serotonin made in the gut. Clinical methods are presented to help clients reduce dissociation, and the epidemiology of functional gastrointestinal complaints and their relationship to ACE’s and PTSD. Mindfulness exercises to improve digestion are presented.

• Module 7 – Culinary Medicine for Mental Health

Presents an overview of the art and science of culinary medicine and how the clinician can integrate it into their clinical and group practice. Examines the benefits and obstacles for clients, including emotional and budgetary challenges for cooking. Analyzes the science of the Brainbow Blueprint® foods and what colors of foods reflect their chemical constituents. The role of functional hypoglycemia in mood lability, discovering and integrating psychobiotics, also known as probiotics while exploring the concept of the microbiome. The role of culinary medicine as a pathway toward establishing rapport with recent immigrant and refugee clients and the role of culture, food and mental well-being. Adaptations of culinary methods for children and teens with behavioral and mental health disorders such as ADHD and ODD. Orthorexia, and how to analyze its adaptive or maladaptive effects on overall well-being.

• Module 8 – Nutritional Therapies for Mental Health

An overview of the field of nutritional psychology and nutrition for mental health. The scientific evidence for the effects of foods on mental health, the role of inflammation from refined foods and trans fats on depression. A review of the epidemiology of different diets like the Mediterranean diet for mental health, research of micro and macronutrients and examination of their clinical application. Methods by which to collaborate and the role of amino acids therapies in neurotransmitter function. Research on fat soluble vitamins and mood. The science of the effects of gluten sensitivity and celiac disease on depression and psychosis is explained.

• Module 9 – Herbal medicine for Mental Health

For clinicians, an overview of the art and science of botanical and herbal medicine. Defining standardized compounds based on the US pharmacopeia. Identifying the challenges of addressing clients self-prescribing behaviors when using prescribed psychotropics and providing methods to address these concerns while maintaining rapport. The major categories of herbs for mental health including adaptogens, nervines, sedatives, stimulants, and analgesics. How to use a database to educate clients about drug, nutrient, and herb interactions. Explaination of endonannabinois and deciit theory proposed by Russo. The three major active constituents of cannabis, the definition of cannabis use disorder, why people with PTSD may benefit from the use of cannabis, and the evidence supporting the use of cannabis in treatment.

• Module 10 – Somatic & Energy Therapies

Defining the scope and practice of bodywork and therapeutic somatic methods and their role in mental health. The major categories of benefits and application based on stage of recovery, including indications and contraindications. Establishing guidelines for making appropriate referrals, the laws governing practice, and how to identify a collaborating clinician. Demonstration of how to rock children and adults. Defining the safety scope of practice and ethical standards of different touch therapies. Comparison of the benefits and deficits of bodywork and acupuncture for clients with diverse conditions and examination of the NADA protocol for the treatment of addictions. An overview of the science and clinical use of two forms of cranial electrical stim and photobiomodulation is provided with indications and contraindications.

• Module 11 – Detoxification Strategies

Detoxification processes in the body and the role of toxins and their effect on brain and organ health. Examination of the role of detoxification across cultures and in the history of psychology to contextualize and aid rapport with clients. The liver’s phase two detoxification and the role of nutrients and foods in aiding or hindering this process. The newly discovered glymphatic system, its function, its requirement for sleep, and its role in clearing plaque and tau proteins from the brain. Examination of fasting, its indications, and contraindications. Presentation and demonstration of methods of preparations of teas and lymphatic support that also decrease dissocitivity. The principles of a psychotropic detoxification schedule to be enacted in collaboration with the prescriber and the self-care activities that reduce discontinuation syndrome.

• Module 12 – Protocols & Next Steps

The integration of protocols, including psychotherapy and psychoeducation for self-care, using the Brainbow Blueprint® elements of exercise, breathing, mindfulness, nutrition, supplements, and herbs. We explore integration of these methods into practice and decision making about priorities and client engagement strategies. Similarities and differences across diagnostic categories are defined. Obstacles to implementation, engaging the family, and motivational interviewing strategies are discussed.

• Module 13 – Q&A

This module provides the recordings of all live student questions and answers after each module. It provides a review of case questions and in-depth application.

1. Assess the scientific research that links diet and nutrition to mental illness and its implications for treatment.
2. Demonstrate incorporation of ethical and scope of practice considerations relative to integrated and nutritional medicine with respect to your own professional discipline.
3. Prepare to interview clients using the DSM-5™ Cultural Formulation tool to explore health and healing in order to inform the treatment planning process.
4. Demonstrate the use of a food-mood assessment to evaluate client eating patterns and how those patterns may influence their mental health.
5. Describe reframing client self-shame statements regarding their dietary habits.
6. Discuss the science of circadian rhythm as it contributes to depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.
7. Explain the psychobiology and psychophysiology of mind and body interactions with reference to seven DSM™ categories.
8. Describe stage-specific anaerobic and aerobic exercise and client self-care methods to decrease dissociative symptoms in clients.
9. Demonstrate breathing techniques to reduce hyperventilation and improve focus among clients with anxiety disorders.
10. Describe integrative and nutritional methods for digestion as they relate to client psycho-education.
11. Analyze the science for the “second brain,” the gut-brain axis communication system of neurotransmitters.
12. Identify six culinary methods for treating clients who present with mood lability.
13. Describe adaptations of culinary methods for children and teens with behavioral and mental health disorders such as ADHD and ODD.
14. Identify the evidence for the use of fats in the diet for anxiety and depression.
15. Assess the value of the epidemiological research underlying the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and its specific application for client mental health.
16. Explain how certain micronutrients and macronutrients affect mood and behavior in clients.
17. Describe the correlation of gluten and casein sensitivity with the presentation of depression, psychosis and ASD in clients.
18. Assess drug-nutrient-herbal interactions for clients in order to prevent side effects of polymedicine use.
19. Discuss contraindications of the use of psychotropic medications, herbal medicines, and nutrients.
20. Explain the endocannabinoid system and the ratio of THC : CBD in mental health and pain disorders.
21. Define the benefits of therapeutic massage therapy and bodywork as an adjunct to psychotherapy.
22. Compare and contrast bodywork and acupuncture and when a referral might be appropriate for the treatment of complex trauma
23. Examine the research on cranial electrical stimulation for insomnia, depression, and PTSD.
24. Define the glymphatic system and its role in clearing plaque and tau proteins from the brain.
25. Describe evidence-based protocols for nutritional and herbal approaches for seven DSM-5™ categories.
26. Identify 6 nutritional methods for treating clients who present with mood lability.

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