METHODS

Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

Psychiatry

is the medical specialty devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders (e.g. mood disorders, anxiety, addiction, ADHD or sleep disorders).

Psychiatrists, because of their medical training, can prescribe medication and some may also use modern treatment techniques such as Neurofeedback or Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). 

Contemporary psychiatrists should also be able to take into account the gut-brain connection with the major influence of the microbiota inhabiting our intestine on our mental condition.


Psychotherapy

is the use of psychological methods, based on regular personal interaction, to help a person change and overcome problems in desired ways. The focus can be an individual, group, couple, family or team. The frequency and duration of therapy are agreed individually and adapted as needed.

Psychotherapy aims to improve an individual's mental health and well-being, to resolve troublesome behaviors, thoughts, emotions or compulsions, to improve relationships and social skills and to treat mental problems–without the use of medication.

Often, an acute crisis, life changes, stressful situations, disturbing symptoms (such as anxiety) or the desire for self-exploration are the reasons to start psychotherapy.

The therapist also has a legal obligation to absolute confidentiality.


Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

CBT is based on scientific principles and is the most effective, evidence-based form of psychotherapy. Therefore it is recommended in treatment guidelines as psychosocial treatment of choice.

The therapy usually starts with the current problem and focuses on the development of personal coping strategies and skills and the change of unhelpful patterns in cognitions (e.g. thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes), behaviors, and emotional regulation. It is "problem-focused" and "action-oriented".

The communication between therapist and client is open and transparent. The therapist provides the most important information about the problem. Goals and plans for manageable solutions are then developed together and the therapist assists in finding and practicing effective strategies and decreasing symptoms. As therapy progresses, the patient gains greater well-being and his life in general presents important changes.

As well as motivational and relationship work, applied methods are:
  • Cognitive methods
  • Emotion-Focused Therapy
  • Therapeutic Confrontation
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Imagination
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Communication training
  • Social skills training
  • Systemic Constellations
CBT has been shown to be particularly effective in addressing the symptoms from conditions such as sleep disorders, anxiety, burnout, depression, addiction, trauma or eating disorders.

It is subject to constant development and incorporates scientific knowledge from other basic sciences such as medicine, psychology or sociology.

EMDR - Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing

EMDR is an evidence based psychotherapy treatment that was originally designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. EMDR therapy facilitates the accessing and processing of traumatic memories and other adverse life experience to bring these to an adaptive resolution. After successful treatment with the typical cognitive insights, affective distress is relieved and physiological arousal is reduced.

Typically during an EMDR session, the client will recall emotionally disturbing material while simultaneously focussing on an external rhythmic stimulus (visual or tactile), directed by the therapist. This ongoing stimulation can often be exhausting for both client and therapist alike. 

For this reason, Dr. Boss instead uses an innovative EMDR device that applies bilateral tactile stimulation via small vibrating pulsars held in the hands of the client and/or auditory inputs via headphones. This is much more comfortable, lowers distraction during the process and is therefore very effective.

EMDR is not only used to treat PTSD, it is also a very useful method to improve work or sports performance or to alleviate intense emotions or unresolved problems. It can also be very successful, for example, in the treatment of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, phobias, rumination or nightmares.

Schema Therapy

Schema therapy is an integrative psychotherapy combining CBT, psychoanalytic object relations theory, attachment theory, Gestalt therapy, and others to help weaken self-defeating life patterns and coping styles and promote patient wellbeing.

Maladaptive schemas develop through early painful experiences and the interaction of our temperament and unmet basic needs in childhood. They are deeply rooted and unconscious life patterns and topics, which include beliefs and emotions, but also memories, bodily sensations and behaviours and influence us every day right down to the choice of partner.

Schemas are automatically activated, repeated and consolidated throughout life, especially in relationships. This leads to inflexibility in our daily life and to problems and psychological distress.

Schema therapy helps to heal past hurts (and unmet needs), to overcome painful feelings, to change dysfunctional long-term coping patterns as well as to develop self-esteem and safe, healthy relationships.
Typical topics include:
  • Fear of being abandoned
  • Fear of failure
  • Lack of self-esteem
  • Fear of losing control
  • Feelings of guilt
  • Emotional inhibition
  • Self-sacrifice
  • Insufficient self-discipline
  • Unrelenting standards, perfectionism
Mindfulness
"Mindfulness means to be attentive in a certain way; consciously, in the present moment and without judgment"

In our fast moving time, characterised by multi-tasking, constant availability and overstimulation, it is often difficult to calm down, be in the present moment  and fully enjoy with all senses. Mindfulness is a simple and at the same time highly effective method that enables the individual to move from ‘autopilot' in any situation of our daily life.

Methods to break engraved patterns, short meditations or exercises for a better body-awareness can be easily applied and have been successfully incorporated into daily practice by monks and business executives alike.

Numerous scientific studies have proven the positive effects of mindfulness on psychological and physical wellbeing. Areas that are positively influenced are: slowed down aging, less stress and anxiety, more serenity, less psychosomatic symptoms, strengthened immune system, more zest for life, ability to concentrate, creativity, improved problem solving, self-awareness, self-control and ability to relax and sleep well.

In the business world, mindfulness training is also becoming increasingly popular and many successful companies have already integrated exercises into their everyday work. The results are greater employee satisfaction, less sick leave, lower risk of burnout and an improved working atmosphere.
Neurofeedback
Brain training for everyone and alternative to medication

With this advanced and safe technique, it is possible to train the brain towards better long-term functioning and achieve substantial improvement both psychologically and physically. It is scientifically proven and an alternative to the use of medications without adverse effects (e.g in the treatment of recurrent pain, ADHD, epilepsy or sleep disorders).

Neurofeedback is a therapeutic intervention in which a device measures non-invasively (electroencephalography) and provides immediate information on current brain activity. Through this feedback and a computer-based programme, clients learn to self-regulate and train their brain function and alleviate their symptoms.

Target group

In today’s fast and demanding world, almost everyone can benefit from a more balanced brain function. Neurofeedback has been shown to be extremely valuable to those individuals who are already high performers, such as business executives, professional athletes or musicians. These people often seek out for neurofeedback for peak performance training.

Neurofeedback can also improve or resolve a variety of common conditions in children and adults, such as:
  • Attention deficits (ADD/ADHD)
  • Sleep disorders (better sleep quality)
  • Stress
  • Addiction, craving
  • Migraine, headache
  • Chronic pain
  • Epilepsy
  • Tinnitus
  • PTSD, trauma
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
  • Anxiety, panic attacks
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
  • Developmental learning and behavioural problems
  • Autism spectrum disorder
  • Traumatic brain injury, stroke
  • Tics

This is how it works

The effectiveness and safety of neurofeedback has been proven in numerous studies.

It is a training method in which brain activity (which generally cannot be perceived) is measured through electrodes located on the scalp and is also made visible to the client on a monitor (feedback). Certain frequencies or brain states can then be easily trained through a computer program.

Neurofeedback is an unconscious learning process (learning by doing, similar to learning to ride a bicycle) with a lasting effect. Once learned, you don´t loose the new capacities again.


Neurofeedback:

  • Enhances focus, attention and concentration
  • Improves creativity, inner awareness, intelligence, memory, behaviour and social-emotional development
  • Enables a better communication between brain regions, strengthens and restores network functions
  • Improves athletic control - peak performance (preparing for success in sports such as professional golf or soccer)
  • Enables focused deep relaxation – increases the sleep quality
  • Loosens frozen associations (trauma) and facilitates new learning

Many symptoms, illnesses, or unwanted behavior patterns are due to dysregulation of brain activity. For example, in common symptoms like sleeping problems, the brain should learn to deactivate, whereas in problems with concentration activation is the key.

After a number of sessions the brain adopts this improved function and and existing symptoms diminish or resolve completely.

Regardless of the current state of the brain, almost any brain can be trained towards better function. Regular Neurofeedback training can support optimum brain functions from children to the elderly.

Besides the peak performance and medical applications neurofeedback is also used successfully for deep relaxation and considered as the modern way of meditation.


Frequency and duration

After a thorough initial consultation, an individualized training plan is established. Usually 1-3 sessions per week take place. In most cases 20 - 30 sessions are enough to reach significant and lasting positive effects. 

Links to scientific publications and more information about neurofeedback:


Functional Medicine
Functional or modern orthomolecular medicine offers new and successful treatments through the focus on dietary and lifestyle adaptation and the rebalance of our biochemical and microbial status (e.g. through supplementation of micronutrients, phytotherapy or probiotics for a healthy and diverse intestinal microbiome). That often also leads to the need of less medication. 

Studies show more and more that common diseases are food- and lifestyle driven, influenced by environment and genetics. Therefore, all these areas must be taken into account. 
FM addresses the core underlying causes of disease and acts preventive, supporting long-term health and vitality even before chronic conditions develop.
 

As a psychiatrist an especially interesting and recent focus of investigation is the gut-brain axis and the links between the emotional and cognitive centres of the brain with intestinal functions. This connection becomes clear when stress causes our stomach to "be tied up in knots".  

A strong correlation exists between the microorganisms inhabiting the colon (microbiota) and our physiological and emotional wellbeing as well as cognitive functioning. 
 
So far research showed that various disorders like obesity, depression, anxiety, autism, allergies, chronic fatigue, ADHD, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are also associated with microbiota-gut-brain axis dysfunction. 

The bacterial flora in the gut is influenced by genetics, mode of delivery, health status, stress, lifestyle, medical interventions and most crucially by diet, which gives us new possibilities to influence our well-being. 


In FM diagnostic techniques (e.g. of the heart rate variability) and modern and detailed laboratory tests (blood, urine, saliva, stool) that are constantly developing offer a unique possibility to help identify risk factors and dysfunctions in the physiology and biochemistry of the human body.
Typical topics include:
  • Health evaluation
  • Prevention of disease
  • Nutrion, detox, anti-aging
  • Weight control, weight loss
  • Stress
  • Support with ongoing treatments
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