Helping you think, learn & feel better
Support For
Brain Injury
Brain Fog
Learning
Illness
Wellness
My Approach
I’m not a regular speech therapist…I’m a trauma-informed speech therapist. After over a decade of working in traditional roles and never quite feeling like I had enough tools to help those I was serving, I opened HeartMinded in order to provide the most current, evidence-based treatment options available. Instead of the traditional top-down therapies used by most speech therapists, I offer modalities that focus on things like music, movement and the senses to improve outcomes. My goal is to help improve brain integration, or the ability of the different parts of the brain to communicate and work together. With improved brain integration comes improved decision making, improved self awareness, stronger relationships and improved cognitive functioning overall.
The brain can grow and change at any age and it is my mission to help bring awareness and attention to the importance of fostering this growth at every stage of life. Since every nervous system is unique, I work with each individual to create a tailored plan for nervous system repair and rebalancing with a strong focus on education and practical tools to help them think, learn and feel better.
Clinical Grade Music Protocols
The autonomic nervous system regulates essential bodily functions. When we feel in danger, this system kicks in to protect us by engaging what are commonly known as the “fight/flight” or “freeze” responses.
You may be able to identify when your nervous system is in a defensive state if you notice difficulties with:
Breathing
Sleep
Mental Clarity
Digestion
Concentration
Social Connection
One way to support the nervous system is through music. Current research highlights the power of music in creating transformative changes in the brain. HeartMinded offers two evidence-based options to help support optimal performance.
The Safe and Sound Protocol-A powerful listening therapy designed to reduce auditory sensitivity and help regulate the autonomic nervous system.
The Rest and Restore Protocol-A listening therapy designed to help calm and restore mental and physical functioning.
HeartMath®
Heartmath® takes an innovative approach to enhancing well being by optimizing physiological and behavioral functioning in order to facilitate sustainable behavioral change. Our heart and our brain are in constant communication with one another with the heart actually sending more signals to the brain than the other way around. These signals have a direct impact on brain function and impact emotional processing, attention, perception, memory and problem solving. Through a combination of breathing techniques and biofeedback, HeartMath® provides a simple, easy way to improve brain health. Improving Heart-Brain Coherence promotes:
Improved overall health, behavioral adaptation and cognitive flexibility
Autonomic flexibility
Energetic efficiency
Improved Memory, Improved Focus, Better test taking
“Your heart knows the way. Run in that direction.”
My life has dramatically improved since completing the Safe and Sound Protocol with Alexis! She was incredibly understanding and compassionate as she listened to my struggles related to the vagus nerve. Alexis explained the brain and vagus nerve processes in a clear and relatable way and even provided additional resources to support my journey. She worked with me to ensure I got the most out of each therapy session. Thanks to Alexis, I’m now living with significantly less anxiety and fewer physical symptoms. I’m so grateful for her guidance and expertise!
-Lauren, Virginia Beach