Our brains and bodies are composed of billions of tiny, yet powerful, cells called neurons. Neurons play an important role in how a person thinks, feels, behaves, and relates with others. They impact all aspects of health, from cognitive and emotional wellbeing to a person’s ability to ward off illness or heal a flesh wound. The structure of a neuron resembles that of a tree with an extensive root system (dendrites), a trunk (soma and primary axon), and profuse branches (axon branches). Each of these “trees” is linked with countless others through connections called synapses. A grove of nearly 100 billion neurons and trillions of synapses makes up what we call the brain; but, it doesn’t stop there! These 100 billion neurons connect with a billion more neurons in the spinal cord, which connect with about 40,000 neurons in the heart, 100 million neurons in the gut, and countless other neurons throughout the rest of the body.
Thus, the brain and body are so intricately interconnected in this giant web of a nervous system that it is impossible for one to operate independently from the other. Each has a powerful influence on the other, for better or worse. When in balance, they work together in beautiful harmony to promote the overall health of the human biome. On the flip side, when one component is out of balance, it may pull others down with it. Thus, to be most effective in our attempts to heal our brain, mind, or body, we must target the whole system through a comprehensive, whole-person approach. NeuroGrove’s Integrative Neurotherapy approach does just that!
The word “heal” literally means “to make whole.” As such, our primary goal is to help every client become whole again – brain, mind, body, and spirit. Our vision is to bridge natural medicine, integrative mental health modalities, advanced technologies, and leading-edge neuroscience to assist our clients in their journeys toward optimal wellness. We strive to restore balance within and between the intricately interconnected systems of the brain and body so that clients may become the best versions of themselves and maximize their potential. We also desire to empower clients and the community with the education and tools they need to know and heal themselves. Above all, we aim to magnify love, joy, compassion, and peace in the world, one life at a time.
Personalized Medicine
Personalized Care
Personalized Growth
ASHLIE BELL, PHD, LCSW, QEEG-DL, BCN
Dr. Ashlie Bell is an internationally renowned brain health expert and respected leader in the fields of neuromodulation, integrative medicine, and mental health. She is the owner and director of NeuroGrove, as well as a neurotherapist, researcher, public speaker, and published author.
Dr. Ashlie has worked in the fields of health and mental health for over 17 years and is well-known for her specialized knowledge in brain-based assessments and interventions, as well as integrative mental health and the treatment of trauma-related challenges. Her passion, dedication, and commitment to excellence have led to esteemed recognition and awards for her work, research, and merit, and she puts this same level of devotion toward every client of NeuroGrove.
Through her own journey of healing from multiple concussions, chronic stress, and nine years of systemic illness, Dr. Ashlie recognized where our conventional medical system is falling devastatingly short and failing to promote true healing. This experience taught her—through direct experience—just how intricately interconnected the systems in our bodies are and why it is so important to not only get to the root cause of illness, but also take a whole-system, whole-person approach to healing.
Dr. Ashlie’s career journey and education led to similar conclusions from the angle of mental health and wellness. For as long as she can remember, she has felt a strong mission to find and address the roots of suffering. This led her down an extensive career path involving international social work in third-world countries, natural disaster recovery, homeless/low-income services, refugee services, foster care, care for children with developmental challenges, hospice and bereavement counseling, medical clinics, community mental health, and more. Throughout this process, she came to realize that some of the most devastating and long-lasting “suffering” came from trauma inflicted from one human onto another. As such, she pursued her master’s and license in Clinical Social Work with a specialization in Interpersonal Trauma.
During this program, Dr. Ashlie learned all about the negative effects that traumatic stress can have on the brain; however, very few solutions were presented to treat the brain itself. As she dove deeper into the research, she discovered how such neurological changes often underlie a myriad of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. In other words, our own brains were causing much of our suffering! And in observing the unacceptably low rates of success in the mental health field, she realized that the brain was likely a key missing piece. We were trying to treat the thoughts and emotions without addressing the organ that was producing them.
After recognizing this, Dr. Ashlie began investigating effective methods for healing and optimizing the brain, alongside other approaches for promoting physical and emotional wellbeing. This led her to pursue a doctoral degree from the College of Integrative Medicine and Health Sciences, with specializations in Integrative Mental Health and Psychophysiology, as well as board certification in Neurofeedback (BCN). During these studies, she researched the underlying mechanisms of various interventions, from meditation and yoga to nutrition and exercise, as well as various modalities of traditional and alternative medicine. She also learned how functional neuroimaging and psychophysiological assessments can be an effective tool for discovering exactly where and how each individual’s brain and nervous system were struggling the most. These assessments could then guide neurotherapy interventions to naturally balance and rewire the brain and nervous system toward healthier patterns of functioning. Furthermore, in bringing it all together, she realized how imbalances in the body affect the brain, imbalances in the brain affect the body, and it’s all intricately interwoven with our cognitive, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
After studying and working under some of the most leading experts in the fields of neuroscience, psychophysiology, medicine, mental health, and shamanic healing, Dr. Ashlie opened her own integrative brain wellness center, NeuroGrove, to help people heal on all levels—brain, body, mind, and spirit. This center offers a variety of interventions under one roof, including functional brain imaging, neurofeedback, neurostimulation, biofeedback, trauma-informed psychotherapy, expression- and somatic-based therapies, neuro-assisted meditation and EMDR, breathwork, functional medicine, personalized nutrition, neuropeptide therapy, wellness education, and other individualized modalities. Through this integrative approach, Ashlie and her team are seeing people overcome the most horrendous of traumas, significant chronic illness, learning and mental health “disorders”, and so much more.
After observing the transformative effects of this approach and seeing how desperately needed it was in our world, Dr. Ashlie began accepting offers for public speaking engagements to educate practitioners and spread hope to communities. She also became an esteemed member of the International Society for Neurofeedback Research (ISNR) and the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB), as well as a certified mentor for the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). Furthermore, she is in the process of developing a comprehensive training program to help other clinicians become more effective in their work with clients, thus allowing a broader reach and greater access to care.
Through this extensive journey of personal and professional growth, Dr. Ashlie has developed a strong passion for whole wellness that bleeds into everything she does. Even outside of her work, she strives to practice what she preaches, engaging in authentic community connection and personal growth opportunities. She also loves engaging in activities that allow her to fully experience and enjoy this beautiful life, including travel, outdoor activities, yoga, dancing, art, music, writing, or whatever new opportunity presents in the moment.
In sum, Dr. Ashlie has dedicated her career to exploring and developing new approaches to healing the brain, mind, body, and spirit from prior physical and emotional harm in order to alleviate suffering, optimize overall wellness, and achieve higher levels of consciousness. She has been called to share this knowledge and insight with the world, as well as promote collective growth through love and compassion. Dr. Ashlie Bell’s vision, passion, and dedication are at the core of NeuroGrove, and her heart for helping others has formed the foundation for all that we do.
Meet the Grove
COREY DEACON, CFMP, MSc, BCN, FAARFM, ABAAHP
Corey Deacon serves as Director of Natural Medicine for NeuroGrove, providing valuable guidance and education for both our naturopathic doctors and neurotherapy providers. He is also a biomedical scientist, passionate health consultant, and co-founder of Neurvana Naturopathic Medicine. Corey holds a Master’s in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Greenwich, a Bachelor’s in Biological Science from the University of Alberta, and a Diploma in Naturopathy from the Alternative Medicine College of Canada. Furthermore, Corey is certified in Functional Medicine from Functional Medicine University, in Holistic Health from the American Association of Drugless Practitioners, and in Neurofeedback from the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance. He also completed a fellowship in Anti-Aging, Regenerative, and Functional Medicine with the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Over the past 15 years, Corey has gained extensive training and experience in the fields of neuroscience, neuropsychology, biochemistry, genetics, developmental and inherited family trauma, medical sciences, neuromodulation, pharmacology, cognitive neuroscience, biomedical sciences, and natural health.
Corey’s specializes in integrating functional and biomedical testing analyses with quantitative EEG brain analyses to assess and diagnose precisely what issues people are dealing with and their underlying roots. This allows for the resolution of symptoms without simply blocking them. After mapping thousands of brains in conjunction with biomedical data, biochemistry, hormones, genetics, family & ancestral history, and other markers, he has an extensive knowledge base to help us more effectively diagnose and treat a wide variety of health ailments.
DR. ABID HUSAIN, MD, FACC, ABAARM
Dr. Abid Husain serves as a Functional Medicine Practitioner with NeuroGrove, overseeing the medical aspect of clients’ care, including EEG assessments, dietary/supplement recommendations, neuropeptide therapy, bioidentical hormone replacement, and functional medicine testing/intervention. He works closely with the rest of the team to discover the roots that underlie clients’ physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges, as well as to implement interventions that can support their healing.
Dr. Husain is particularly skilled in providing cutting-edge neuropeptide therapy to aid neurogenesis and neuroplasticity as well as reduce inflammation in the brain. Furthermore, he specializes in both cardiology and natural hormone balance and thus is an excellent resource for clients struggling with imbalances in these systems. He also provides bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for clients needing advanced support in balancing their hormones.
Having come from a family of physicians, Dr. Abid Husain has a deep appreciation for the practice of medicine. In his youth, art was his primary pursuit until he took an anatomy class, which sparked his love for medicine. After decades of studying, Dr. Husain’s excitement led him to complete fellowship training in Cardiology. Although he headed a successful private practice in cardiology, he was disappointed by the limited time and tools available to conventional medical practitioners.
Seeking more balance in his life, Dr. Husain continued to search for a mechanism to practice medicine outside the limitations of an insurance-based system. His answer was found in integrative medicine, which puts health—as opposed to illness—at the center of treatment. The lessons learned through integrative medicine reinvigorated Dr. Husain’s passion for medicine by aligning with his personal philosophies about the benefits of living a thriving and balanced life.
In his free time, Dr. Husain still enjoys painting and other forms of art, as well as dancing and communing with friends.
KARRINA WALLACE, ND
Dr. Karrina Wallace serves as our Naturopathic Doctor, offering comprehensive diagnostic services and effective natural treatment recommendations to assist clients in their journey toward optimal health. Her primary services include comprehensive functional lab analyses, preventative medicine interventions, lifestyle and nutritional counseling, therapeutic and sustainable food plans, personalized herbal formulas, detoxification, constitutional hydrotherapy, auricular therapy, and physiotherapy.
From an early age, Dr. Karrina aspired to become a doctor to help others find healing. As a young adult, she faced her own illness, which provided her with the opportunity to experience, first-hand, the healing power of natural remedies when conventional healthcare offered no help. This experience empowered her to become a naturopathic doctor and provide others with the same opportunity for healing.
Dr. Karrina is passionate about providing comprehensive and effective natural healthcare options. She seeks to help people find a sustainable path to wellness by establishing achievable, holistic healthcare plans. Her primary goal is to empower patients to achieve optimal health in a compassionate and realistic manner. She takes the time to understand her clients in order to discover where their imbalances may lie. She also loves educating clients about how their nutrition, lifestyle, genetics, allergies, past illnesses, and other factors contribute to their symptoms, as well as how they can utilize such knowledge to optimize their own wellness.
Although Dr. Karrina enjoys working with a variety of health conditions, she is particularly skilled in working with individuals who are struggling with chronic digestive issues, chronic fatigue, and mental health complaints. Many of these clients have been to multiple doctors and had various forms of imaging and functional testing, and yet they have not found relief. Dr. Karrina strives to support the gut health of these clients and improve their relationship with food as a source of nutrition and healing. Clients find their experience with her to be empowering and supportive.
In her free time, Dr. Karrina enjoys being in nature with her two dogs and partner. Some of her favorite activities are hiking, rafting, and traveling to enjoy other cultures and environments.
CARLY AMBUSKE, LSW
Carly Ambuske serves as our Clinical Manager and senior integrative neurotherapy clinician. She provides trauma-informed psychotherapeutic support while implementing individualized neurofeedback, neurostimulation, and biofeedback training protocols. She also has a variety of tools in her toolbox to help clients process their experiences, cope with their challenges, and move toward growth and transformation.
Carly holds a Master’s degree in Social Work and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Pre-Medicine. Carly has experience working in clinical mental health settings, primarily with a focus on children, adolescents, and families, although she has worked with various populations via a trauma-informed, client-centered, multi-modal, and culturally informed approach. Carly’s therapeutic approach focuses on mindfulness-based interventions, with a specific focus on DBT and incorporating foundational elements of CBT and
Motivational Interviewing.
Carly is actively involved in pursuing research around brain-body connections, neuropsychotherapy, and neuroscience as it relates to challenges within mental health diagnoses and the impact of trauma on both the brain and body.
In her free time, Carly enjoys spending time with her family and two pets, being outside in nature, watching documentaries and investigative TV shows, as well as furthering her knowledge and education around the science behind Neurotherapies and integrative mental health practices. Carly’s favorite activity is making the people around her laugh.
RYANN SOUTAR, LPC, BCN
Ryann Soutar is one of NeuroGrove’s integrative neurotherapy clinicians. She brings over 15 years of practical experience in neurofeedback and almost a decade of trauma-informed counseling experience. She has dedicated her career to attaining a deep understanding of the body-mind connection and the interrelatedness of mental and physical health. Her combined experience provides a unique expertise in cognitive behavioral and mindfulness techniques, as well as an understanding of PTSD and complex emotional trauma, to identify areas of lifestyle change that can enhance and magnify the changes clients see from neurotherapy.
Ryann first developed an interest the brain by archiving brain maps as a summer job in high school. From there, she acquired ten years of practical application as a neurotherapy technician while completing her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology with a focus in nutrition, followed by her M.A. in community counseling with a focus on trauma and neuropsychology.
Ryann joins NeuroGrove after five years as the lead neurotherapist at New Mind Center in Roswell, Georgia, where she oversaw the distance training program. Ryann is BCIA certified in Neurofeedback and as a BCIA mentor, wherein she continues to provide consultations and mentoring to other professionals around the country in the neurofeedback field.
Ryann’s counseling experience has additionally included individual and group counseling for survivors of domestic violence, as well as in-home individual and family therapy for children. Ryann’s approach is neurotherapeutic and integrative, incorporating TF-CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness. It is informed by growing research regarding the role that our bodies, daily habits, and connection to community have on our mental wellbeing.
New to Colorado, Ryann enjoys exploring the Rocky Mountains and all that the front range has to offer. When she isn’t exploring, Ryann enjoys reading, napping, and spending time with her family.
LAUREN DAVIS
Lauren Davis is NeuroGrove’s Lead Neurotherapy Technician, offering significant subject matter knowledge in neurofeedback delivery, client care, training and equipment management.
She earned her neurotherapy stripes directly on the front lines, formerly serving as the lead neurofeedback technician and child behavior therapist at Lighthouse Neurofeedback and Behavior Analysis since 2021. This is where her initial interest in neurotherapy was fostered — to be part of the delivery of safe and effective therapies for people with autism, as well as changing the way we approach mental health treatment.
Lauren provides trauma-informed and empathetic care to individuals with a variety of neurodivergent conditions and traumatic brain injuries through a data-driven approach to brain health and overall wellness. She will assist NeuroGrove’s clients using some of the most advanced brain technology available – including 3D functional brain imaging and comprehensive wellness assessments and a variety of cutting-edge interventions, such as swLORETA neurofeedback, transcranial neurostimulation, neuro-meditation – to help NeuroGrove clients optimize their brains.
She is pursuing her degree in psychology, while learning under the careful mentorship and guidance of Dr. Bell.
It is Lauren’s goal to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for NeuroGrove’s clients, to guiding them through the neurotherapy process, including equipment fitting, explanation of the procedure and answering any questions as necessary.
In her free time, Lauren is a passionate advocate for disability rights and creating better opportunities for the developmentally challenged and neurodivergent community. She also enjoys making art, studying Hellenistic astrology, and cuddling with her two cats.
BROOKE LINDAHL
Brooke serves as one of our Integrative Neurotherapy Technicians. Brooke is currently studying Psychology at the University of Colorado Denver. She started her career working with children with behavioral needs and developmental disabilities as she pursued a career path in Neurofeedback and Biofeedback. Brooke has specialized experience working with children and adults with Autism, as well as personal experience with a brother who is on the spectrum. She has always had a passion for working with those with special needs and neurodiversity, as well as those struggling with mental health challenges. Brooke also has a special interest in the effects of adoption on brain development and attachment relationships, as her own history of adoption has contributed to this passion.
Prior to joining the NeuroGrove team, Brooke worked with another clinic as their Senior Neurofeedback Technician, where she gained extensive experience in brain assessments, neurofeedback, biofeedback, and neurostimulation. She is also a Registered Behavior Technician.
In her free time, Brooke can often be found outdoors or playing with her two cats. Her bright personality alongside her personal and work experience make her a valuable asset to the NeuroGrove team.
KARI MATZ, BS
Kari Matz serves as the Practice Manager for NeuroGrove. She oversees and optimizes business and office processes to ensure we continue to provide the most effective, high-quality services possible. Additionally, Kari assists with planning and providing wellness education to our community through online platforms, written content, and workshops.
Kari holds a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science and strongly believes in NeuroGrove’s whole-system, whole-person approach to brain-body wellness. She has over seven years of experience in office administration and management, as well as direct experience working in a wellness/integrative medicine environment focused on mind, body and spiritual healing.
Kari is passionate about providing excellent service, promoting healthy lifestyles, and empowering others to live optimally. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, meditation, listening to podcasts, and reading books about the brain-body connection. She also loves being outdoors and engaging in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and snowboarding.
Kari’s personal interests and background in health and wellness align very well with the vision and mission of NeuroGrove to help others become the best versions of themselves. Her pleasant demeanor and professionalism, paired with her extensive knowledge and experience, make her an excellent and incredibly valuable member of the NeuroGrove team.
ASTA DEACON, MS
Asta serves as our Administrative Assistant and is often the first welcoming voice you hear. She manages many of the center’s day-to-day operations and provides warm and friendly customer service to our clients. She has extensive experience in office and project management, small business development, communications, and patient/client services within medical settings.
Asta holds a master’s degree in Arts Administration and Cultural Entrepreneurship, specializing in administrative practices/procedures/flows, small business development, and community outreach and service. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in Classical Literature specializing in The Hero’s Journey, Victorian Literature, and Dystopian Fiction.
Asta’s person interests include hiking, zoos, and arts/fictional podcasts. Asta’s friendly, helpful attitude and ability to effectively manage multiple client/office processes makes her a highly valued member of the team.
COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT
QEEG “brain mapping”
LORETA 3D neuroimaging
Neurocognitive testing
Physiological stress assessment
Psychosocial history
Discussion of symptoms/strengths/goals
Naturopathic/nutritional/lifestyle assessment
Functional medicine testing
INDIVIDUALIZED INTERVENTION
Advanced neurofeedback
Transcranial neurostimulation
Peripheral biofeedback
Psychotherapeutic support
Functional/naturopathic medicine
Somatic interventions
Mindfulness training
Nutritional/lifestyle coaching
Wellness education
Supplementation (as needed)
PROGRESS TRACKING
Regular assessment of changes in symptoms and progress toward goals
Regular neuroimaging and psychophysiological assessments to check progress and update intervention
Update neurocognitive testing
Collaboration with medication prescribers to adapt prescriptions as necessary
