The Underlying Science and Applicability

of Open Focus (TM)

An AAPB Virtual SeminarAn AAPB Virtual Seminar

• Monta Greenfield Associate director of AAPBMonta Greenfield, Associate director of AAPB

• Dr. Les Fehmi, PHD

S Sh F h MSW• Susan Shor Fehmi MSW

• Rae Tattenbaum, MSW

ObjectivesObjectives

• The science of Open Focus attention The science of Open Focus attention training;

• The impact of focus and attention on • The impact of focus and attention on physiology and emotions;Th li bilit f O F t l • The applicability of Open Focus as a tool for self regulation.

• Experiential exercises illustrating Open Focus;

Tool KitTool Kit

• Guidelines in increasing in using Open Guidelines in increasing in using Open Focus for yourself and in your practice.

• Tips for using Open Focus as a clinical Tips for using Open Focus as a clinical tool and to performance;

• Increase knowledge of the use of Increase knowledge of the use of dissolving pain technique with client's emotional issues, specifically anxiety, p y yfear, depression, trauma and abandonment.

Dr. Les FehmiDr. Les Fehmi• 50’s research analyst with Lockheed space• 60’s University of California Labs• 60 s University of California Labs• NIH Post Doc Work, Brain Research Center ,U of Calif.• 67-73 Assistant Psy. Prof , Stony Brook• 68 Chaired first meeting of Biofeedback researchers• 68-69 Stanford-Ames Faculty Fellow• 70-71 Biofeedback Consultant Garrett Corporation, J and J• Dallas Cowboys, New Jersey Nets

Susan Shor Fehmi, MSWSusan Shor Fehmi, MSW

• Discovery of Open • Discovery of Open Focus Process.

• Attention stylesAttention styles• The role of

attention in modulating arousal

• The impact of the “ t f ”“concept of space”

Personal Applicability Personal Applicability

• Try Open FocusTry Open Focus• Becoming proficient

L i O F P• Learning Open Focus Process:• Working with another practitioner

• Working with the Fehmis (Books, Workshops/ audio Tele seminars)

• Certification Process

Clinical Clinical

Tools: Biofeedback and Neurofeedback are the anchors

HRV, Mental Imagery, Meditation, 

Discerning the impact of Open Focus Open FocusDiscerning the impact of Open Focus Open Focus  Practice Intro; Beginning with clients: (CDs, response): p ) Obsessive, IBS, SAT)

A tool for improving inner and outer attention Inner /Outer Attention: ability to socially engage with self and others.

Current Procedure

• The Open Focus One or two sentence • The Open-Focus Brain: Harnessing the Power of Attention to

One or two sentence explanation

Guides client thru Open i (10 Heal Mind and Body

(Book & CD)Focus Exercise (10 minutes)

Explore responses• Dissolving Pain: Simple

Brain-Training Exercises for Overcoming Chronic gPain by Les Fehmi and Jim Robbins

Follow Up SessionFollow Up Session Track response Repeat brief exercise w/o expectations Alternative: Track physiological response with HRV monitor and questions:monitor and questions: Relaxation states Inventory Racing Thoughts Body/ Tense or Relaxed Alert/sleepy Physiological releasesy g

Compliance/Between Session Practices Listen to recordings (2 A Day)

PerformancePerformance• Introducing general Open Focus to

clientsclients» Concept: During assessment process

• Guiding a client thru a general exercise

• Crafting a specific script for the skill or abilityor ability– Voice and Bringing the voice forward– Actors/ Dancers/ Artists

G lf/ G t lf f tb ll b i iti– Golf/ Gymnasts, golf, football, business, writing• Venue

Clinical PotentialClinical Potential

During counseling/therapy segmentg g/ py g Prior to Biofeedback

Identifying the underlying issue (In the moment) Engaging the client in a dialogue: Awareness of locating the “where” in the body that a sensation may or may not livethat a sensation may or may not live‐ Reference: Levine, Peter or Somatic re‐experiencing work

Wander thru your body? Identify/ localize OK/Just as wonderful if client does not know OK/Just as wonderful if client does not know.

ContactContact

• Dr Les Fehmi Rae Tattenbaum• Dr. Les Fehmi• Susan Shor Fehmi• lesfehmi@ix.netcom.com

Rae Tattenbaumrtinneract@aol.com

• www.openfocus.com/www.openfocus.com/• www. inner-act.com

LES FEHMI’S STORY OF HOW HE DISCOVERED THE OPEN FOCUS™ PROCESSFOCUS™ PROCESS

RETROACTIVEPERCEPTUALMASKINGMASKINGINMONKEYS

BRAIN RESEARCH INSTITUTEBRAIN RESEARCH INSTITUTE

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BRAIN RESEARCH INSTITUTEBRAIN RESEARCH INSTITUTEAT UCLA 1966AT UCLA 1966

PERSONAL PERSONAL TRAINING1967-1968Great Release of Whole BodyTension Through Alpha TrainingTension Through Alpha Training

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ATTENTION STYLES

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STYLES OF ATTENTION

Diffuse – Immersed Diffuse – Objective Narrow- Immersed Narrow – Objective

Example: Meditation. With mind unselfconscious & body at rest Most

Example: Panoramic view in a “symphony of sensory experience”

Example: Immersed in enjoyment, amplified by a narrow focus to intensify &

Example: Lion stalking prey. Emergency. College Exam Obsessing onbody at rest. Most

rapid normalization. Sleep.

experience . Objective sensations hang suspended in the midst of a diffuse awareness of space. Pl i i b d

focus to intensify & savor experience. Enraptured thinker. Deep massage recipient.

Exam. Obsessing on work to narrow focus away from (deny) an emotional problem. Self-conscious mind

d b d Hi hl

Effects: Parasympathetic nervous system

Playing in a band.

Effects: Relative sympathetic & parasympathetic

Effects: Relative sympathetic –parasympathetic balance Moderate

and body. Highly toned.Effects: Sympathetic nervous system dominance. Highy

dominance. Low arousal. Mostly right brain dominant. Drifting into sleep.

parasympathetic balance. Moderate arousal. Relative left-right hemisphere balance. Relaxed l rt

balance. Moderate arousal. Left-right hemisphere balance. Relaxed alert.

dominance. High arousal- adrenaline. Mostly left brain dominance. Extreme fight or flight.

EEG: Low frequencies dominant. Increased amplitude. Increased

h l b

alert.

EEG: Middle frequencies dominant in amplitude

EEG: Middle frequencies dominant in amplitude. Moderate whole brain synchrony

EEG: High frequencies increase. Reduced amplitude overall. Reduce

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pwhole brain synchrony.

in amplitude. Moderate whole brain synchrony.

synchrony.whole brain activity synchrony.

THE ROLE OF ATTENTION IN THE ROLE OF ATTENTION IN MODULATING AROUSAL

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THE IMPACT OF THE “CONCEPT” OF SPACECONCEPT OF SPACE

THE UNDERLYING CONCEPTS THE UNDERLYING CONCEPTS BEHIND DISSOLVING PAIN BEHIND DISSOLVING PAIN

“Nothing is more real than nothing.” F M l Di S l B k ttFrom: Malone Dies Samuel Beckett

SPACE ANDSYNCHRONYSYNCHRONY

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