Open to therapists, counselors, and associates in the East Bay. No prior background in psychopharmacology or neuroscience needed!
Fee: Free. Optional donation to EBTC can be made here. Donations help cover essential supplies, maintain EBTC website, and tend to the overall upkeep of this nurturing space.
Wearable brain-stimulation devices have moved out of the clinic and into living rooms. Clients now arrive at therapy having tried a headband for depression, a clip-on device for anxiety or sleep, or a vagus-nerve gadget they saw on social media. Many therapists are left wondering what these devices actually do, whether they are safe, and how to respond without overstepping their scope.
In this talk, Dr. Heidi Stahl, a psychiatrist practicing integrative & interventional psychiatry, will walk through the main categories of at-home neuromodulation, separate the stronger evidence from the marketing, and offer practical language for supporting clients who are curious about, or already using, these tools. There will be plenty of time for questions and case discussion.
What we'll explore
The landscape. An overview of the two FDA approved home devices, including Proliv Rx and Flow, their mechanisms and how they differ from in-office treatments like TMS.
Evidence and regulation. Explore what clinical indications are FDA approved, and what the research shows.
Safety and red flags. Contraindications, side effects, and the client presentations (such as bipolar spectrum symptoms or seizure history) that warrant closer assessments before or during use.
Bringing it into the therapy room. How to ask about device use, discuss it within your scope, pair it with ongoing therapy, and collaborate with prescribers.
Presenter Bio: Heidi Stahl, MD, is a psychiatrist and the founder of Atlas Psychiatry, a practice offering integrative psychiatric care to adults across California via telehealth and in person in Los Gatos. The practice offers new evaluations within 1-2 weeks and care in Mandarin and English. Dr. Stahl is passionate about supporting clients through professional transitions, academic challenges, and acculturative stress. She serves as Councilor at Large for the Northern California Psychiatric Society.
Dr. Stahl's work blends evidence-based medication management with whole-person approaches, and she enjoys partnering with therapists to coordinate care for shared clients. She welcomes consultation questions and referrals from the therapy community.
To connect and learn more, email Dr. Stahl at contact@atlaspsychiatric.com or visit atlaspsychiatric.com.