Brainwaves by Opus

How to Know When EMDR Is the Right Fit | With Molly Halbrooks, Founder of Restore Counseling

In this episode of Brainwaves by Opus, we’re joined by Molly Halbrooks, founder of Restore Counseling & Therapy in Belmont, North Carolina. Molly shares her journey from solo private practice to building a small group practice and why community matters, both for clients and therapists. We dive deep into trauma therapy, including why Molly chose EMDR, how it works in plain language, and why so many clients describe it as life changing. We also explore how mindfulness, breathwork, and body based practices can help regulate the nervous system, why tech and social media can isolate us into echo chambers, and what therapists do to protect their own capacity while holding heavy stories for others. In this conversation: * Why Molly moved from solo work to a group practice * What EMDR is and why it can be so effective for trauma * Trauma and memory: why it can feel like you’re reliving it * A simple EMDR explanation: from “VR” to a picture * Breathwork and mindfulness as a real world tool, not just a concept * When EMDR may not be the right fit and what options exist * Thoughts on psychedelics in trauma treatment and why the research matters * Therapist burnout, capacity, and why solo trips can be self care * Social media, boredom, creativity, and connection for kids and adults Learn more about Molly’s practice: restorecounselingtherapy.com

How Online Therapy Cuts Cancellations and Expands Access | with Mark Nolte, founder of Start Talking

In this episode of Brainwaves by Opus, Shawn Rickenbacker sits down with Mark Nolte, co-founder and CEO of Start Talking, a virtual therapy platform helping people access counseling through secure remote sessions. Mark shares how his own experience seeking help for depression revealed a major barrier: the fear of being seen, judged, or stigmatized. That insight sparked Start Talking’s mission to make therapy private, convenient, and easier to stick with. The conversation covers how COVID accelerated teletherapy adoption years ahead of predictions, why online sessions often reduce cancellations, and how AI can remove documentation and administrative burdens so therapists can spend more time with patients. We explore: * Why privacy and stigma still stop people from getting help * How teletherapy expanded access for rural and underserved communities * Why online therapy can reduce cancellations (and make care easier to follow through on) * The realities of scaling a nationwide therapist network * Where AI fits into mental health, from clinical notes to journaling insights * Why the future belongs to clinicians who adopt AI tools responsibly Learn more: www.starttalking.io [http://www.starttalking.io]

Multi-Purpose Care for Autism | With Nafisa Obi, Founder of Essential Speech and ABA Therapy

In this episode of Brainwaves by Opus, we’re joined by Nafisa Obi, licensed speech-language pathologist and co-founder of Essential Speech & ABA Therapy. What began as a single outpatient speech therapy clinic in 2017 evolved into a multidisciplinary autism care model offering speech, occupational, and ABA therapy under one roof. Nafisa shares how fragmented care was burning out families and clinicians alike, and why collaboration became central to their mission. Today, Essential Speech & ABA Therapy operates 18 clinics across corporate and franchise locations, expanding access while staying grounded in empathy, integrity, and excellence in care. Topics we cover: * Why fragmented autism care creates burnout for families * Delivering speech, OT, and ABA therapy under one roof * Conducting shared assessments across disciplines * Using a single documentation platform for alignment and transparency * Scaling through franchising without compromising culture * Leading with empathy while maintaining accountability * Treating families as part of the care team 📚 Book recommendation: Crucial Conversations by Joseph Grenny

How Nurocoach Helps Patients Address Root Causes | With Alex Kurian, co-founder and CEO of Nurocoach

In this episode of Brainwaves by Opus, we sit down with Alex Kurian, co-founder of NuroCoach, to explore why so many patients feel stuck cycling through the same mental health treatments, and how NuroCoach is working to change that. Drawing from his own experience as a patient, Alex shares how repeated medication adjustments and disconnected care models often fail to address underlying trauma and long-term wellness. NuroCoach was built to offer a more structured, holistic approach by integrating psychiatry, therapy, coaching, and neuromodulation into a phased care journey. The conversation also dives into mental health stigma, especially within immigrant communities, the realities of affordability and insurance access, and the challenges of building a mission-driven organization without compromising values. Topics we cover: * Why patients feel trapped in repetitive mental health care cycles * Addressing root causes instead of surface-level symptoms * NuroCoach’s structured, phased care model * The role of trauma in ADHD, depression, and anxiety * Reducing stigma and increasing access to care * Choosing insurance participation to expand reach * Building trust and empowering patients toward independence

Building Recovery Programs That Actually Work | With Brian Tierney, Executive Director of Curawest

In this episode of Brainwaves by Opus, we sit down with Brian Tierney, Executive Director of Cura West in Denver, part of the Guardian Recovery Network. Brian shares his journey from property management into addiction treatment, driven by his own long-term recovery and a desire to help others. Over the past decade, he’s worked his way up from entry-level roles to leading one of Colorado’s top detox and residential treatment centers. At Cura West, Brian helped transform the program from a struggling startup into a high-performing, expanding facility, improving staff culture, patient satisfaction, and financial stability along the way. Topics we cover: * Transitioning into addiction treatment and overcoming financial fear * Why working in recovery is not the same as personal recovery * The value of starting in entry-level roles before leadership * Building leadership teams that collaborate instead of operating in silos * How staff experience directly impacts patient outcomes * Turning around KPIs across staff retention, patient satisfaction, and finances * Scaling responsibly from detox to residential and virtual IOP * Why sustainable growth starts with stabilizing culture and care Learn more: * Cura West: https://curawest.com [https://curewest.com] * Guardian Recovery Network: https://grncare.com [https://grncare.com]