Dr. Julie Kim has been serving as Medical Director of Brain Treatment Centers in Newport Beach, San Diego, and Cardiff since 2013.
She has dedicated the last decade to those in need of MeRT® (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) and has treated over 6,000 patients with MeRT at the flagship BTC Center in Newport Beach.
MeRT (Magnetic EKG/EEG Resonance Therapy) is an emerging technology that aims to improve brain function and communication. The equipment used in MeRT is FDA-cleared to treat Major Depressive Disorder and OCD and is used off-label to treat a wide variety of conditions. FDA clearance studies for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are ongoing.
MeRT has been used off-label with promising results in symptom improvement with Autism, ADHD, Learning Disorders, Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Anxiety, and other brain disorders.
Some of the most common conditions treated are detailed below.
For Autism, early intervention is crucial to the child’s development. MeRT has shown in numerous studies to have a high rate of symptom improvement such as eye contact, speech, emotional contact, improved mood and more.
We offer MeRT treatment for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Studies have shown that it can be instrumental in helping them develop skills to function more normally.
Many different types of therapies can help with autism, and MeRT can be used along with any of them.
For more information about how the Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach uses MeRT treatment for Autism, click here.
According to the Mayo Clinic, over three million people are diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder each year. And new research suggests that altered neural circuitry can create risk factors for depression.
MeRT uses rTMS (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation), which is FDA-approved to treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). TMS has been successful in treating depression, particularly when a patient has not responded to medication or other therapies.
Clinically depressed patients have visible markers in their EEG studies. This typically comprises an imbalance in brainwave activity between the left and right hemispheres, called asymmetry.
By performing a quantitative EEG on each patient, we can determine their exact brainwave frequency. Then we evaluate the EEG results and develop a treatment plan of targeted rTMS specific to that patient’s unique condition. Then we correct the brain asymmetry by using a magnetic coil to neuromodulate the brain’s electrical activity. As a result, the MeRT protocol can reduce depression symptoms.
To learn more about how the Brain Treatment Center in Newport Beach uses MeRT to treat depression, click here.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, can be a life-altering mental health problem. It is caused by experiencing or witnessing terrifying events, violence, or going through extended periods of extreme stress.
The onset of symptoms can occur right after a stressful time or can appear many years later, such as in child abuse cases. PTSD can be severe enough to completely disrupt someone’s life and make it difficult to function normally.
New research is confirming that factors that may contribute to PTSD cause changes in brain function. Often, PTSD will show up as a disruption in the front of the brain. Specifically, it is common to see two competing alpha frequencies in the frontal lobe and slow-rolling waveforms (delta and theta waves) drowning out what should be a single strong alpha frequency. MeRT can help improve brainwave function and thus reduce PTSD symptoms.
For more information about how the Brain Treatment Center in Newport Beach uses MeRT treatment protocols for PTSD, click here.
The Brain Treatment Center offers MeRT treatment for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussions. Our non-pharmaceutical, non-invasive treatment has been highly successful in treating the after-effects of a TBI or concussion. If you have suffered a head injury, this treatment may help you.
Research has shown that people who have experienced a traumatic brain injury will have a higher power in their delta band frequencies and lower power in the alpha bands. MeRT can help align these frequencies.
People with traumatic brain injuries often go through other types of therapies to help them regain function and cope with their injury or disability. MeRT treatment can be used in conjunction with these therapies.
For more information on how the Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach uses MeRT treatment protocols for Traumatic Brain Injury, click here.
We are an in-network provider with TRICARE. If you have TRICARE insurance, it is possible that your policy may provide coverage for you or a family member, depending on your specific policy and condition.
For all other insurance, we are considered out of network and cannot file an insurance claim on your behalf. We can, however, provide you with the appropriate paperwork at the end of your treatment, which you can submit to your insurance company to see if they will provide you with any reimbursement.
Currently, rTMS is FDA-approved for Depression and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Treatment for all other conditions is considered “off-label.” For non-FDA-approved treatment, it is not likely that insurance will provide reimbursement for our protocols.
Some patients have reported that they have been able to receive some reimbursement for EEGs or clinical evaluations. However, this depends on their health coverage.
Unfortunately, we cannot see Medicare patients or Medicaid patients in the clinic.
It’s normal for patients and their families affected by brain disorders to feel alone, frustrated, and even hopeless. Yet, there is hope. MeRT is a treatment protocol that has helped patients restore their brain function, reclaim their lives, and get a whole new lease on life.
We understand what you are going through. Our goal is to help guide you through the process so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not MeRT is the right treatment for you or your child.
Many of our clinicians and technicians have gone through MeRT treatment and have experienced incredible results firsthand. As a result, they are passionate about helping you to heal too.
Our New Patient Coordinator is available to answer any questions that you may have about how MeRT can help you specifically. She’ll take the time to listen to your concerns and put your mind at ease. She can also assist in getting you scheduled with the clinic should you decide to move forward with treatment.
Call us or fill out the Contact Form below.