Mind Matters Research LLC
(DBA Mind Matters Counseling)
Mind Matters Counseling offers evidence-based behavioral medicine interventions to chronic disease and pain patients. Patients must be referred by their physician, PA, NP or naturopath. Contact us for more information. Phone: (907) 868-7737 & Fax: (888) 486-1329.
Attention Chronic Disease and Pain Patients:
Dr. Freeman and the providers at Mind Matters Counseling specialize in psychological, behavioral and neuroplastic brain treatment approaches that support recovery during and after diagnosis and treatment of a chronic disease. Those diseases include but are not limited to
Chronic pain
Cancer
Asthma
Cardiovascular disease
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Inflammatory disorders
Autoimmune diseases
Obesity
Diabetes
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Long COVID complications
MMR's treatment approaches are grounded in psychological and neuroscience research and their related techniques. Dr. Freeman and the other MMR providers utilize cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT, DBT, ACT, MI), in combination with systematic educational and behavioral protocols designed to optimize improvements in your medical condition and your emotional well-being. MMR offers these protocols based on understanding that mind, body, and behavior are inextricably linked. Protocols are selected based on the specific needs and goals of the patient and on the referring medical provider's recommendation.
Many of Dr. Freeman's treatment methods were utilized into her research that was clinically tested with funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI). The outcomes, both in person and as telemedicine, produced clinically and statistically significant improvements as compared to control groups.
Dr. Freeman and the MMR providers also utilize other evidence-based treatment methods that have been found to improve quality of life in patients with anxiety, depression and pain (physical and emotional).
IMPORTANT NOTE: All MMR treatments are meant to augment and support your ongoing medical care and are in no way meant to replace your medical provider's treatments or recommendations. That is one of the reasons a physician or medically licensed person must directly refer you for treatment. You may also be referred for treatment through VA or Worker's Comp.
SHARED PRACTICE MODEL
Mind Matters Research LLC operates under a shared practice model. This means you will see one provider for most of your appointments. However, you may be scheduled with a different provider for some appointments, based on who has the training, experience and skill set you need at that time and based on your treatment request. For example,
You may see Dr. Freeman for the history and intake. Then, if the first treatment protocol you are to receive is EMDR, you would see Jean Gautreaux for several sessions to complete that form of trauma therapy, as this is her specialty. You could then come back to do other forms of therapy (such as biofeedback or Alpha Stim treatments) with Dr. Freeman.
Perhaps you need treatment for trauma but decide that EMDR is not the form you want to undertake. Janet Daw is a specialist in Progressive Exposure Therapy for trauma. Dr. Freeman is a specialist in Written Exposure Therapy for trauma. This means you have two other forms of trauma therapy to choose from besides EMDR. Who you see is based on your need, the provider with the highest level of expertise in that area, and which form of treatment you want to pursue.
Another benefit of the shared practice model is that patients can be seen very consistently. For example, if your primary provider becomes ill or is on vacation, you can still be seen for your regular appointment by one of the other providers until your primary provider returns to work. The shared practice model also means that the wait time for your first appointment is two weeks or less from the time you complete your paperwork.
OUR STORY
The original organization (Mind Matters Health Systems) was first conceived by Lyn Freeman in 1992. In the beginning, Mind Matters Health Systems (not yet a Limited Liability Corporation nor a research center) offered evidence-based training and classes on mind-body interventions, complementary and alternative medicine and integrative health care. Early customers included the University of Alaska Anchorage, Alaska Regional Hospital, Providence Hospital and individual chronic disease patients. While developing Mind Matters Health Systems and its associated organization, CompMed Alaska, Dr. Freeman authored the textbook "Mosby's Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach." The first edition, published in late 1999, was nominated for Health Sciences Book of the Year. Now in its third edition, this textbook is used in universities across the U.S. and in other countries. The more than 6,000 clinical trials and studies surveyed in the textbook became the clinical foundation on which the behavioral Intervention was created.
In 2003, Dr. Freeman decided to extend the scope of Mind Matters Health Systems to make it eligible as a grant-funded research agency. She was awarded her first National Cancer Institute grant in 2004 and utilized those funds to create and test the ENVISION Behavioral Medicine Intervention. Her initial research was completed in early 2006 and outcomes of that study were submitted for publication. The publications are available elsewhere on this website.
In 2006, Dr. Freeman pursued Phase II funding to finalize the Intervention. Her research pursuits were soon put on hold when her husband and research partner, Derek Welton, was diagnosed with advanced thyroid cancer. During Derek's treatment for cancer, Dr. Freeman applied for and received several small grant awards to support the future development of the Intervention. However, her attention was primarily focused on supporting her husband during his treatment and recovery efforts.
As Derek's condition improved in late 2007, husband and wife again submitted an application for Phase II National Cancer Institute funding. In September, 2008 they received notice that their efforts had been successful and the Intervention was soon finalized. With Phase II funding, Mind Matters Research evolved into Mind Matters Research LLC. Dr. Freeman became CEO of the corporation and Derek Welton its CFO/CTO. The Intervention's efficacy was tested with breast cancer survivors in Alaska and Washington State, producing statistically and clinically significant outcomes, compared to a control group (Grant # 2 R44CA117597-02A2). Based on these outcomes, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Cancer Institute (NCI) instructed Mind Matters Research to make the intervention available to cancer survivors, and to simultaneously expand the use of the intervention to other chronic disease patients.