Cristina Lima Therapy

1. How do I make an appointment with you?

 

There are several ways you can contact me to make an appointment. You can call me at 281-770-1779. If I do not answer your call right way, please leave a voice message or send a text message. You can also reach me by email cristinalima@cristinalimatherapy.com or go to Contact Me to send me a message. I will get back to you as soon as possible. Please note that I see clients by appointment only.

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2. What should I expect from my first appointment?

 

Your first appointment is the intake session. For the first few minutes of the session, we will go over the required paperwork and your intake information. During this first meeting, I will be mostly interested in getting to know you and your needs, so we can identify your counseling goals and make recommendations. You will also have the opportunity to discuss if neurofeedback is an option for you.

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3. Is therapy confidential?

 

I respect your confidentiality, according to federal and local laws that protect the confidentiality of the communication between client and therapist. 

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4. What services do you provide?

 

I provide counseling for individuals and couples, and brain training using qEEG guided neurofeedback. 

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5. How does a counseling session look like?

 

Counseling is based on talking. A session takes about 55 minutes. In general, I recommend weekly sessions for counseling. However, due to different circumstances, you may choose to have sessions every other week. It’s difficult to predict the number of sessions needed for counseling because it’s a case-by-case situation. However, in most cases, it may take 10-20 sessions.

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6. What are your payment methods?

 

Payments are due per session by credit card, zelle transfer, check, or cash. Rates are subjected to adjustment. When rates are adjusted, clients are notified two months in advance.

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7. Do you work with reduced rate?

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In very specific situations I may work with a reduced rate for a limited number of sessions.

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8. Do you take insurance?

 

I do not take insurance at the moment. Ask me about documentation for reimbursement from your insurance. 

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9. What is neurofeedback?

 

Neurofeedback, also known as EEG Biofeedback, is a type of brain training that involves a brain-computer interface that maps brainwaves amplitudes for various frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma) and provides audio-visual feedback for self-regulation.

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10. What is the clinical use of neurofeedback?

 

Some diagnostic conditions such as attention and hyperactivity problems (ADD/ADHD), learning disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), brain injuries (TBI), trauma, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, sleeping problems, autism, chronic pain, addiction, and others, are associated to excess or deficiency of certain brainwaves in specific parts of the brain. Training the brain to self-regulate brainwave activity is an alternative of treatment for these conditions.

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11. How does the brain training with neurofeedback look like?

 

Patients can change their brainwaves patterns by receiving repeated feedback through a computer screen. The treatment involves training the brain, much like exercising the muscles at the gym. The treatment consists of:

• initial session

• qEEG (brain mapping)

• neurofeedback training sessions

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12. How is the initial session?

 

The initial session includes the intake and review of personal history and symptoms. Initial session may take more than one session if testing is necessary. ​

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13. What is qEEG?

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QEEG (quantitative electroencephalogram), also known as brain mapping, is an assessment tool used to guide the neurofeedback training. QEEG consists of recording the electrical activity of the cortex captured by non-invasive sensors attached to the scalp and earlobes. No electricity is introduced into the person’s body by the process. The brain mapping is usually done before the training sessions start. 

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14. How does the qEEG session look like?

 

The person undergoing the qEEG assessment will be wearing a cap similar to a swim cap for approximately 45 minutes. During this time small amounts of gel and exfoliating scrub will be applied to areas of the scalp. With eyes open and closed the person will be asked to be still while remaining alert. After the assessment, the person may prefer to wear a hat. Gel will be easily removed once the hair is washed.

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15. Are there specific recommendations for the brain mapping?

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To obtain an accurate brain map, the person undergoing the qEEG must do some specific things:

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• Have good nights of sleep prior to the appointment.

• Double wash the hair and do not use conditioner and other hair care products.

• Consume a moderate meal that is low in sugar 30-90 minutes prior to appointment time.

• Refrain from any caffeine substance (e.g., coffee, soda, diet pills) the day of the brain map; any nicotine substances 14 hours before the brain map; the use of alcohol for 72 hours before the map; drugs for several days before the assessment (except those prescribed by doctor).

• If necessary, you will be asked to remove contact lenses before recording of brain map. Please bring your contact lenses case and solution.

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16. How does the neurofeedback training session look like?

 

During a neurofeedback session, one or two sensors are placed on the scalp (on specific areas of the brain), and earlobes. Then, the patient performs a task while watching a computer screen and listening to audio tones. Training sessions are usually once or twice a week for about 20-40 sessions. Depending on the symptoms it could be 60-80 sessions. 

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17. Does neurofeedback have side effects?

 

Mild side effects may occur. They include feeling fatigued, spacey, or anxious; headache; difficulty falling asleep; feeling agitated or irritable. Many of these side effects are temporary and typically only last 24-48 hours. Keep your therapist informed about any side effects. Also, inform any changes in medication, lifestyle, and symptoms. Your therapist may adjust your training protocol based on your information.

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18. What if I can't be regularly in the office for the neurofeedback training? 

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Ask Dr. Lima if remote neurofeedback training is an option for you.

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