Drake Institute of Behavioral Medicine, Northridge, California

Drake Institute of Behavioral Medicine Overview

Located in Northridge, California, Drake Institute of Behavioral Medicine is a treatment facility which offers behavioral medical services to adolescents—and sometimes adult—persons dealing with a myriad of mental and behavioral health problems such as ADHD, stress-related diseases or disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Additionally, the facility offers treatment services for persons dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety disorders and panic attacks. The center also specializes in Asperger’s Disorder. The facility, co-founded by Dr. David F. Velkoff who also supervises all the treatment programs and evaluation procedures, was established more than 35 years ago and has since treated more than 10,000 persons. The center boasts at least 80% of persons treated at the center have felt that their treatments have been successful. The institute specializes in the utilization of biofeedback and neurofeedback methods of treatment which acts as a way to eliminate or reduce symptoms without any negative side effects. Additionally, the facility utilizes a non-drug treatment method for ADD which does not rely on medication but is an extremely scientifically-based form of treatment. The facility, for more than 23 years, has also incorporated the use of qEEG brain mapping as a diagnostic tool for determining what type of treatment would best suit the patient. Patients at the facility receive a minimum of 32 sessions each of which lasts for an hour but autistic persons undergoes at least 40 sessions. The center also encourages the involvement of parents and family during treatment. Staff at the facility comprises of Master’s-level therapists, neuropsychologists, and licensed Neurophysical Therapists.

Treatment & Therapy

The center offers some treatment services depending on the unique needs of the client. Some of these are:

• The Drake Treatment Plan
• Drake’s Neurophysical Training Program
• Fullcare program

The Drake Treatment Plan

The Drake Treatment Plan comprises evaluation and screening in order to ascertain the best treatment strategy for the patient. The treatment plan is individualized and comprehensive, consisting of 32 neurofeedback treatments, family meetings, biofeedback/neurofeedback education, and other ongoing assessments.

Drake’s Neurophysical Training Program

This program is designed to provide long-lasting, deep neurological change for each patient and utilize the Neurofeedback learned response training method. ADD patients in this program are provided with personalized, fifty-minute sessions while autism and ADHD patients usually undergo more treatment. The program also involves behavioral modification, progress tracking, education, and self-esteem building among other things.

Fullcare Program

The fullcare program is non-drug and comprehensive in its approach to treatment. The program also employs the use of Cognitive and Language Rehabilitation, Brainmap Guided Neurofeedback, family therapy, and Behavior Modification to treat various Neurophysical disorders.
The following are a list of conditions treated at the facility:

• ADHD
• Autism spectrum disorders
• Anxiety disorder
• ADD
• Auditory disorder
• Stress-related disorders

Therapy Options

The facility offers various options of therapy which include:

• Family therapy
• Counseling
• Psychoeducation
• Neuromodulation therapy
• Neurofeedback therapy

Pricing

Drake Institute of Behavioral Health costs approximately $8,000 for a 30-day treatment at the facility but this amount is subject to change as it is greatly dependent on the type of treatment and level of care a client requires. The facility accepts most major commercial insurances and is willing to work with out-of-network providers. Clients are advised to contact the facility for more information on payment, verification, and admission. The facility offers financial help to clients through the help of Chase Health Advance, individuals who are eligible have the opportunity of having two years to pay their medical bills without interest.

Drake Institute Advantages

The facility offers aftercare or a discharge plan to clients who have completed a primary program and this care includes sessions that can last up to a year. The facility also uses a different method of treatment called EEG Neurofeedback treatment for individuals with ADD/ADHD.
The facility is known for its drug-free treatment all over the world and these treatments cater to a number of disorders. The facility is focused on offering individualized treatments that are specific to each client’s need.
All programs offered to patients at the facility are vetted and supervised by the medical director and has over thirty years of experience working in the behavioral health field. Clients seeking treatment at a facility that takes proper care of patients with programs that are vetted in a drug-free environment will find Drake Institute to be a good option.

Staff

David Velkoff – Medical Director

David holds a Master’s degree from the California State University majoring in psychology and also the Emory University School of Medicine where completed his Doctor of Medicine degree. He switched to behavioral health when he discovered that he had a passion for and then went to learn biofeedback technology from Menninger Clinic.