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Limbic LOVEThe Emphasis Project is on a mission to close the gap between Speech-Language Pathology, Neuroscience, & Mental Health, for the children AND the families served.
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Families & Children Benefitting from Limbic LOVE Have Been Affected by:
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The Limbic Lifeline Of Vital Emphasis (LOVE):
In children, targeting speech, language, and learning skills without addressing executive function is like building a house with no foundation. Targeting executive function without addressing a dysfunctional limbic system is like the foundation being made from sand. And in families, raising a child with special needs with a chronically hijacked limbic system is like driving to a foreign land with no GPS system. Hence, the development of Limbic Love, for the children we serve AND their families.
How Can Limbic Dysfunction Present Itself (leading to Executive Dysfunction)?
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Speech-Pathology & The Limbic System
The Limbic Love approach began when we acquired an ever-evolving specialization in identifying and supporting executive dysfunction, with a particular focus on ADHD, learning differences, and trauma-informed care. Our executive function system is the maestro to the cognitive orchestra and is positioned above the limbic system (the emotional/behavioral brain). It's the system that enables us to perceive our environment, sustain attention, inhibit our responses, use our verbal and nonverbal working memory, monitor and correct our actions, shift our thinking, stop or transition an activity, plan and pace ourselves, and a whole host of other critical cognitive skills.
As Brandy Storck came to understand her own childhood trauma and the effect it had on her learning and social/emotional experiences throughout academia, as well as the false beliefs it created that were carried over into adulthood, she realized that the work she did in helping children establish new pathways in the prefrontal cortex was only as effective as the health of the limbic system operating below it.
She also realized that the information, education, and understanding supporting this connection across fields was painfully limited, to the detriment of optimal, holistic child development. She is on a mission to close the gap between Speech-Language Pathology, Neuroscience, and Mental Health, and not just for the children served. In adding a functional and ever-evolving understanding of the limbic system to her treatment planning, she came to realize that the limbic system cannot be overlooked when developing best practice for her clients AND their families. In fact, when warranted, it should be embraced and healed in delivering best practice for cognitive habilitation.
As Brandy Storck came to understand her own childhood trauma and the effect it had on her learning and social/emotional experiences throughout academia, as well as the false beliefs it created that were carried over into adulthood, she realized that the work she did in helping children establish new pathways in the prefrontal cortex was only as effective as the health of the limbic system operating below it.
She also realized that the information, education, and understanding supporting this connection across fields was painfully limited, to the detriment of optimal, holistic child development. She is on a mission to close the gap between Speech-Language Pathology, Neuroscience, and Mental Health, and not just for the children served. In adding a functional and ever-evolving understanding of the limbic system to her treatment planning, she came to realize that the limbic system cannot be overlooked when developing best practice for her clients AND their families. In fact, when warranted, it should be embraced and healed in delivering best practice for cognitive habilitation.
What is Limbic Love? |
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Created by Brandy N. Storck, MS CCC-SLP/L, LSLS Cert. AVT, Limbic Love is, both, a holistic treatment plan in supporting Listening, Language, and Learning as well as a collaborative of carefully selected professionals and services supporting the full scope of presenting needs in the family. A merger of Speech-Language Pathology, Neuroscience, & Mental Health. The mental health needs of children AND families of children with special needs have been chronically unsupported or, at best, sparingly supported. We seek to include that piece, with creative and holistic strategies and resources, in developing best practice for the families and children we serve and beyond.
How Did Limbic Love Get Its Name?
When we hear "cardiac" we know its referencing our heart. When we hear "pulmonary" we know its referencing our lungs. We hear "limbic" and most find ourselves Googling the word, despite the fact that it's the system largely responsible for our emotional, behavioral, and mental quality of life. A system whose health governs the optimal functioning of the higher-level brain functions of language, learning, memory, reasoning, decision-making, and intelligence. In children, targeting speech, language, and learning skills without addressing executive function is like building a house with no foundation. Targeting executive function without addressing a dysfunctional limbic system is like the foundation being made from sand. And in families, raising a child with special needs with a chronically hijacked limbic system is like driving to a foreign land with no GPS system. Hence, the development of Limbic Love, for the children we serve AND their families.
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Limbic Loving the Child |
The prefrontal cortex (where executive functions reside and govern all learning and development) is incredibly malleable to effective therapy strategies, yet also highly vulnerable to going "offline" in the presence of limbic system dysfunction (essentially chronic/toxic stress and/or trauma). Chronic/toxic stress and trauma in a child isn't always what you might consider.
Unresolved toxic/chronic stress and trauma have the potential to change your child's brain chemistry, brain anatomy, and even gene expression, which can lead to lifelong problems in learning, behavior, physical, and mental health. Effective cognitive habilitation is highly dependent on the emotional health and healing of the child.
- Poor communication skills, limited social skills, and learning difficulties can all become chronic stressors.
- Social/emotional/physical bullying and/or rejection/exclusion can all become toxic stress and even trauma.
- Poor attention and inhibition can lead to increased disciplinary measures from misinformed educators or caregivers resulting in chronic stress.
- Adoption, even at birth, into the most loving and secure family environments is still processed in the brain as trauma.
- Trauma a mother experienced during her pregnancy can be stored in a child's limbic system as trauma.
- Medical trauma an infant experienced during or immediately after birth can be stored in the limbic system as trauma.
- Medical interventions and surgeries can be stored in a child's limbic system as trauma.
Unresolved toxic/chronic stress and trauma have the potential to change your child's brain chemistry, brain anatomy, and even gene expression, which can lead to lifelong problems in learning, behavior, physical, and mental health. Effective cognitive habilitation is highly dependent on the emotional health and healing of the child.
Limbic Loving the Family |
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In addition to the limbic system challenges a child may be facing, raising and nurturing a child with special needs can present significant emotional and physical stress for the family as well. In fact, learning a child presents with a special need can be a trauma in and of itself; one that frequently goes unaddressed as the caregivers tend to the ongoing needs of the child. When the emotional needs of the caregivers go unsupported as they navigate their child's journey, it can have a significant negative impact on the efficacy of the therapies and educational supports provided to the child as well as on their own mental and physical health.
Additionally, when children present with various learning differences and special needs, emotional regulation is frequently affected as well. This can lead to the caregivers experiencing their own emotional dysregulation in caring for them. And because of the power of mirror neurons and the brain chemistry of attachment dynamics, this, in turn, causes their child to further dysregulate, thus entering a cyclical reciprocity of limbic dysfunction in the child AND the caregivers. The Emphasis Project aims to end that cycle by creating Limbic Love: A Whole Brain, Whole Child, Whole Family Approach.
Additionally, when children present with various learning differences and special needs, emotional regulation is frequently affected as well. This can lead to the caregivers experiencing their own emotional dysregulation in caring for them. And because of the power of mirror neurons and the brain chemistry of attachment dynamics, this, in turn, causes their child to further dysregulate, thus entering a cyclical reciprocity of limbic dysfunction in the child AND the caregivers. The Emphasis Project aims to end that cycle by creating Limbic Love: A Whole Brain, Whole Child, Whole Family Approach.
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Limbic Love:
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Each of the services below offers evidence-based practices in supporting the development of the whole child and/or family. Brandy will discuss the role each plays in supporting your child's unique needs during your sessions and help you decide when the addition of a service would be beneficial in meeting the goals of your family and child.
A Glimpse at the Science Behind Limbic Love
Music City Family Therapy
Stacy Jagger, LMFT, RPT-S
Founder, Clinical Director
Brandy approached Stacy about aligning services in seeking to close the gap between the fields of neuroscience, mental health, and speech-language pathology. The knowledge base and treatment philosophies of both practices revealed a synergetic match made in cognitive developmental heaven and a shared passion to support the entirety of the family unit.
Stacy Jagger is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S), as well as an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. She is a mother of four, guest speaker, author, and mentor.
A native of Nashville, Stacy is the founder and clinical director of Music City Family Therapy – a unique counseling practice serving Greater Nashville that specializes in integrating play and expressive arts therapies for children, individuals, and families. Music City Family Therapy utilizes a systemic, whole family approach to helping clients heal from disconnection, depression, anxiety, trauma, behavioral problems, divorce, addiction, and alcoholism. Stacy is the creator of Stacy Jagger’s Mountain Method™ – a proprietary experiential family therapy treatment process designed to help children, individuals and families heal, grow, and thrive.
Stacy enjoys designing programs and products for the family, including her parent-child bonding program, Music with Mommie, and her highly effective Magic Mats communication tool that can be used as a resource for conflict resolution and connecting conversations in any relationship. She is the owner of The Little House at Sunnybrook Farm, an inspired retreat location in Columbia, TN.
Stacy is on a mission to restore wonder to childhood, connection to families, and intimacy to relationships. Drawing on a decade of experience in treating and helping families, she integrates lessons from her own trauma history and offers hope to those who feel there is no hope. She enjoys growing flowers, writing songs and ballroom dancing. She has appeared on Nashville’s Talk of the Town, has written numerous articles for parents, has been featured as a child expert on the morning and evening news and is a regular guest on the local NBC affiliate show Today in Nashville. Stacy is a guest speaker for universities, churches and conferences, and enjoys offering clinical trainings and consultation for family therapists across the country.
Stacy Jagger, LMFT, RPT-S
Founder, Clinical Director
Brandy approached Stacy about aligning services in seeking to close the gap between the fields of neuroscience, mental health, and speech-language pathology. The knowledge base and treatment philosophies of both practices revealed a synergetic match made in cognitive developmental heaven and a shared passion to support the entirety of the family unit.
Stacy Jagger is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S), as well as an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. She is a mother of four, guest speaker, author, and mentor.
A native of Nashville, Stacy is the founder and clinical director of Music City Family Therapy – a unique counseling practice serving Greater Nashville that specializes in integrating play and expressive arts therapies for children, individuals, and families. Music City Family Therapy utilizes a systemic, whole family approach to helping clients heal from disconnection, depression, anxiety, trauma, behavioral problems, divorce, addiction, and alcoholism. Stacy is the creator of Stacy Jagger’s Mountain Method™ – a proprietary experiential family therapy treatment process designed to help children, individuals and families heal, grow, and thrive.
Stacy enjoys designing programs and products for the family, including her parent-child bonding program, Music with Mommie, and her highly effective Magic Mats communication tool that can be used as a resource for conflict resolution and connecting conversations in any relationship. She is the owner of The Little House at Sunnybrook Farm, an inspired retreat location in Columbia, TN.
Stacy is on a mission to restore wonder to childhood, connection to families, and intimacy to relationships. Drawing on a decade of experience in treating and helping families, she integrates lessons from her own trauma history and offers hope to those who feel there is no hope. She enjoys growing flowers, writing songs and ballroom dancing. She has appeared on Nashville’s Talk of the Town, has written numerous articles for parents, has been featured as a child expert on the morning and evening news and is a regular guest on the local NBC affiliate show Today in Nashville. Stacy is a guest speaker for universities, churches and conferences, and enjoys offering clinical trainings and consultation for family therapists across the country.
Bespoke Pediatric TherapyJulie Williams, MS, OTR/L,
Occupational Therapist Julie is an Arkansas native and earned her Masters degree in occupational therapy from the University of Central Arkansas. She and her husband moved to Nashville in 2011 and currently live in Thompson’s Station, TN. Julie has worked in a variety of pediatric settings throughout her 14 year career including school systems, outpatient clinics, and home-based settings. She has experience working with children of all ages with a variety of diagnoses including: Autism, Down syndrome, genetic disorders, sensory processing disorder, developmental delay, dyspraxia, ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, muscle weakness, incoordination, oculomotor difficulties, and fine motor and/or visual motor delays. Julie has professional certifications in Therapeutic Listening (a sound based sensory integration protocol), Astronaut Training (a vestibular-visual protocol), Handwriting Without Tears, Reflex Integration, and Pediatric Kinesiotaping. She has also completed the Level 1 STAR institute for sensory processing disorder mentorship training program. Julie is happily married to her husband, Joe, and they have two fun-loving boys, Judah (6) and Ezra (2). She enjoys sunshine, drinking coffee, warm fires, spending time with her family and friends, and learning calligraphy. |
Franklin Family TaekwondoKarla Zuercher, Owner and Chief Instructor, Trauma-Informed
Taekwondo training has revealed measurable improvements in body intelligence and brain connectivity from the cerebellum to the parietal and frontal cortex. This has resulted in improved body awareness, attention, response inhibition, and regulation in studied participants as well as overall improved feelings of security and self-confidence. Franklin Family Taekwondo's leadership is trauma-informed and is devoted to the concept of constant and never-ending improvement. We offer a family-oriented environment where students feel safe to explore their abilities and to try new things. We teach traditional discipline along with personal respect, a spirit of camaraderie and creative fun. We are part of the Choong Sil Kwan Taekwondo Federation. Choong Sil Kwan means, literally, the “School of Constant and Never-Ending Improvement.” In other words, everyone in our school, from our youngest white belt to our highest ranking Black Belt, is working to improve who they are right now. It is a journey of a lifetime! The purpose of Choong Sil Kwan Taekwondo is to develop an individual's mental and physical well being through a highly stylized and deliberate method of rigorous martial arts training. The result of this training is the empowering sense of self-worth, and the ability to control one’s physical state and personal destiny. The student is guided into four stages of philosophical development: Imagination Inspiration Actualization Realization In the initial stage of philosophical development, students must use their imagination to set goals beyond their current limitations and, from this, visualize their achievements in advance. This, in turn, strengthens their belief system to the point that specific goals are possible and obtainable. With goals firmly in mind, the students must learn to self-inspire themselves into action, as they develop a sense of self-worth. Without this, they may never strive for success as they may feel they do not deserve the rewards that accompany achievement. Actualization is taking the first step and entering into the process of the work and reward system. The development of a strong work ethic is the most important element in this philosophy. Even the most average of people can achieve excellence with a positive work habit. Realization refers to the attainment of one’s goals. Upon reaching these achievements, new privileges are merited as new goals are recognized. This process perpetuates itself as the previous results offer new challenges and new responsibilities. This positive growth cycle not only improves oneself, but also the immediate world around you. This concept of "constant and never-ending improvement" is the ultimate purpose of Choong Sil Kwan. |
Therapeutic Drum LessonsNathan Richardson, COTA/L
Certified Occupational Therapy Asst. "In recent years, researchers have studied the impact of drumming on the brain. Research indicates that exposure to the regularity and rhythmical sounds produced by a drum activates several important areas of the brain. The sound enters the auditory cortex and activates the cerebellum as well as the frontal cortex and limbic system. The cerebellum is a part of the (lower) brain stem and is responsible for our ability to physically move. The frontal cortex and limbic system are part of the (higher) forebrain which is responsible for establishing homeostasis (stability), regulating emotions, and conscious actions. These areas of the brain are especially relevant to people that have been exposed to traumatic experiences. In brief, when trauma happens, it can cause our bodies and brains to become dysregulated and disconnected. Trauma can cause the limbic system to get stuck in the on position and become overactive which hijacks emotions. Drumming in therapy has the capacity to activate and integrate critical areas of the brain. The physical movement of the drumming activates the cerebellum in the brain stem. The rhythmic beats and range of loudness help develop self-efficacy and feelings of safety and control (in the forebrain areas) when individuals master rhythms. Drumming also creates bilateral stimulation of the brain which can slow the heart rate, regulate breathing, and establish feelings of calm and stability. Drumming in therapy offers an environment that allows the brain to activate, re-establish healthy connections, and form new neural pathways." -Tasha Lehner MA, Heart to Heart Child and Family Counseling (Reference: Using Neuroscience in Trauma Therapy) Emphasizing a therapeutic approach to promote developmental skills while rocking out on the drums. All ages and diagnoses. Innovative Brain Support For: Executive Functioning Emotional Regulation Sensory Integration Social Skills Development Visual Perceptual Skills Fine Motor Development Gross Motor Development Visual Motor Skills |
Mark and Lindsey Wellness
Lindsey Elliott
Blue Diamond doTerra Wellness Advocate
International Adoptive Mom
Lindsey is a legend in her field and wealth of knowledge and personal experience. She provides ongoing training and education for all things essential oil and wellness living. As you do your own research regarding the effects of aromatherapy on the brain, Lindsey can serve as an invaluable resource in equipping your family with additional tools as you increase your family's Limbic Love.
Essential Oils and the Limbic System "The limbic system gathers information from the environment through sensory information. As you’ve experienced firsthand many times, your senses can alter your emotional state rapidly. For example, a pleasurable meal can make you feel comforted, and very loud noises can make you feel anxious.
Ever wonder why certain smells conjure up memories and even physical feelings so vividly? Our sense of smell is unique compared to our other senses (such as taste, sight and hearing) because it bypasses parts of the brain that other types of sensory information often cannot. Because of this, smells can often cause immediate and strong emotional reactions based on memories. Smells can bring us back to past events within milliseconds, making us feel a certain way based on past events, whether we realize why we’re suddenly feeling that way or not.
Essential oils, for example, can have dramatic effects on limbic function and how you feel. This is true because the strong fragrances they hold, which are found inside volatile molecules that can make their way into your bloodstream, travel directly through the blood/brain barrier very quickly.
Lindsey Elliott
Blue Diamond doTerra Wellness Advocate
International Adoptive Mom
Lindsey is a legend in her field and wealth of knowledge and personal experience. She provides ongoing training and education for all things essential oil and wellness living. As you do your own research regarding the effects of aromatherapy on the brain, Lindsey can serve as an invaluable resource in equipping your family with additional tools as you increase your family's Limbic Love.
Essential Oils and the Limbic System "The limbic system gathers information from the environment through sensory information. As you’ve experienced firsthand many times, your senses can alter your emotional state rapidly. For example, a pleasurable meal can make you feel comforted, and very loud noises can make you feel anxious.
Ever wonder why certain smells conjure up memories and even physical feelings so vividly? Our sense of smell is unique compared to our other senses (such as taste, sight and hearing) because it bypasses parts of the brain that other types of sensory information often cannot. Because of this, smells can often cause immediate and strong emotional reactions based on memories. Smells can bring us back to past events within milliseconds, making us feel a certain way based on past events, whether we realize why we’re suddenly feeling that way or not.
Essential oils, for example, can have dramatic effects on limbic function and how you feel. This is true because the strong fragrances they hold, which are found inside volatile molecules that can make their way into your bloodstream, travel directly through the blood/brain barrier very quickly.
- The hippocampus is involved in olfaction (smelling). How so exactly? Aromatic molecules contained within essential oils interact with sensors in your nasal cavity, lungs, pores and more. Research shows that the olfactory bulb projects information into the ventral part of the hippocampus, and the hippocampus sends axons to the main olfactory bulb, (including the anterior olfactory nucleus and the primary olfactory cortex). This is how memories and smells become tied together. (6)
- Once engaged, sensors emit strong emotional signals based on smells starting from your limbic system (hippocampus) and spreading throughout the rest of your body to places like your heart and digestive tract.
- Because essential oils can impact memory, balance hormone levels and overall support healthy limbic system functions, much new scientific evidence shows that inhaling essential oils may be one of the fastest ways to create physiological or psychological benefits. These include decreasing anxiety, anger or even fatigue."
