FAQ

Do you accept insurance?

I accept UCSB insurance,  Cottage Hospital, and Anthem Blue Cross.  I also am a preferred provider with a select amount of  Blue Shield plans.

If you have Blue Shield and are a PPO member, you need to make sure that your mental health benefits are not carved out to another company, such as United Behavioral Health.  If your services are carved out, then I would be considered an out of network provider.

Other important questions to ask your insurance provider:

- If I have a deductible, has it been met?
- What is my co-payment?
- How many sessions per calendar year does my plan cover?
- Do I need pre-authorization for mental health services?

Important information to consider if using insurance?

Your insurance company will keep on record the diagnosis you receive, and very likely treatment updates and progress.  Keep in mind that this information could affect your ability to obtain coverage if you needed to switch insurance companies for some reason.

Questions and Answers about the Brain Chemistry Optimization Program (BCOP)

What does it mean if my brain chemistry is unbalanced?

Having too much or too little of certain neurotransmitters can make one more vulnerable to experiencing high levels of anxiety or depression and/or engaging in impulsive, risky behavior.  Brain chemical imbalances also may contribute to over eating and other addictive behaviors, as well as obsessive compulsive behavior.  These are only some of the negative behaviors that may result from brain chemistry imbalances.  In sum, we care about brain chemistry, as it is the major determinant of behavior.  Our behaviors are driven by meeting our physiological, as well as our psychological goals.  Behavioral changes are difficult to maintain if one’s brain chemistry is not in balance.  Often people who take medication for depression, anxiety, etc. assume that the medication is responsible for the changes in their behavior and mood.  In reality, medication changes brain chemistry, which in turn changes behaviors and mood.

What is the brain chemistry optimization program?

“The brain chemistry optimization program (BCOP) provides a physiological evaluation detailing the effects of stress, behavior, diet, and activity on your brain.  What you do, how you feel and what you eat on a daily basis can influence your brain chemistry.  In turn, your brain chemistry can directly affect your thoughts, mood, behavior, and performance.”  This evaluation provides personalized information that will allow you to be aware of these influences.  An individualized plan is created to provide you with options so that you can choose behaviors, activities, and foods that will influence your brain chemistry in a positive way.

The BCOP is tailored specifically for you, based on the answers you provided in the Robertson Brain Optimization Survey.  It is unique to your needs and designed to give you practical steps to maximize your brain’s potential so you can:
Think and react more clearly
Overcome Stress and Anxiety
Recover quickly from a negative situation
Increase productivity and consistency
Enhance performance

How does it work?

The BCOP is a physiological assessment based on signs and symptoms of brain chemical imbalances, completely founded on repeatable scientific studies.  By evaluating peripheral signs and symptoms that an individual can feel or describe through a 180-point true/false questionnaire and supplemental history survey, the number of symptoms of excess and the number of symptoms of deficiency for each of five major  brain chemicals are counted and weighted.  This highly sophisticated, computerized compilation leads to a conclusion as to what brain chemicals imbalances are most likely present.

What brain chemicals are assessed?

Major brain chemicals assessed include: dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, GABA, and acetylcholine.

How will this help me?

The BCOP teaches individuals about their personal brain chemistry and provides specific  recommendations to optimize performance, relationships, and emotional wellness.  Areas of  recommendations include diet, exercise, relaxation, and nutritional supplementation.  Your plan will also address lifestyle issues, such as performance enhancement, optimal aging, productivity, perfectionism, stress, attitude and relationships.

* The above information derives from The Robertson Research Institute

* “Persons trained and authorized by RW to administer Brain Chemistry Optimization Program profiles are not representatives of RW and do not carry a competency endorsement from RW on the basis of this training”

More information on the BCOP can be found at http://wellness.robertsoninstitute.org/