Name:
Deborah Stokes, Ph.D., BCIA-EEG
Location:
Alexandria, Virginia
Story:
I have had three major healing events in my life that have altered me in many ways. For 20 years I suffered from severe migraines that disabled me several days each month. I saw a neurologist regularly who told me we would grow old together since my migraines were as much a 'hardwired' part of me as my eye color. I tried every new migraine drug he gave me, all of which were partially effective or ineffective altogether. In 1992 I saw a psychologist in DC, Dr. Patrick Mahoney for handwarming biofeedback. After several sessions, I learned to warm my hands ten degrees in about ten minutes. I have now been completely migraine free for nine years.
My second healing event also involves a severe case of the flu in 1999 while living in Italy. I almost died and was bedridden for one month with depleted white cell counts for the first month; then they skyrocketed to abnormally high levels and remained there for several years. I never really recovered from this illness which left me with a feeling of fullness and heaviness in my head, which turned out to be Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). I often felt like I could not lift my head. For the first year and a half I struggled just to bathe and walk around our apartment. Over the next couple of years, I spent tens of thousands of dollars in traditional medicine only to be told that there was nothing wrong with me or that I was depressed. Upon returning to the US, three and a half years ago, I met with a neurotherapist, Dr. Mary Lee Esty, who performs a hybrid type of neurobiofeedback. On the second session, I felt a sensation in my head like a sort of unblocking. The heaviness lifted and I have not had the brain fog since then. Last summer I had all the metal fillings taken out of my mouth by Dr. Richard Fischer and finally, my high white cell counts dropped. I still struggled, however, with fatigue quite often, needing daily naps and still unable to do brisk walking without becoming fatigued. After my success with Dr. Esty, I became convinced that I was meant to do this kind of work. I felt determined and focused about learning everything about neurotherapy and biofeedback. This was a natural fit for me since I was already a licensed therapist finishing a doctorate in psychology with an emphasis in psychophysiology. So after some initial conferences and training, I began practicing neurotherapy and am now presenting a study on my success with migraine at 2 conferences this coming Spring.
My third healing involves treating the body fatigue part of my condition. I had just assumed that I would never be able to do the things I used to do physically again. I had heard about a (British) Chinese Herbologist, Jonathan Gilbert who was 'curing' CFS. I saw him about 8 months ago and began Chinese Herbs and after two months on them, I have been entirely symptom free! I am now able to run for the first time in 5 years without collapsing afterwards! I am very grateful for the health and peace that alternative medicine has provided me and for the success and healing it is enabling me to offer in my new profession.
