• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Call for More Information: (949) 851-3086
Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach

Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach

Treatment for Autism, PTSD, Depression

  • Home
  • About Us
    • About our Clinic
    • Julie H. Kim, M.D., FACP
    • K. Anthony Kim, M.D., F.A.A.N.S.
    • Our Blog
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Conditions Treated
    • Depression
    • PTSD
    • Autism
      • Studies on rTMS for Autism Treatment
      • Autism Treatment Videos
      • Sleep and Autism
      • Autism Quiz
      • Drugs for Autism Treatment
    • TBI / Concussions
      • “The Broken Brain” Podcast
    • COVID-19 After Care
    • Anxiety
      • Effects of Anti-anxiety Drugs
    • Cognitive Performance
    • Memory Issues and Dementia
    • ADHD
    • Parkinsons
    • Stroke Recovery
    • MeRT for Chronic Insomnia
  • MeRT
    • What Is MeRT?
    • Testimonials
    • In the News
    • Initial Analysis
    • Treatment Overview
    • Science
  • Tricare Coverage
  • Korean 한국어
  • Contact
    • Physicians
    • Patients
    • Location
    • Places to Stay in the Area

Autism or ASD

MeRT: A New Approach To Autism Treatment That Gets Results!

A Breakthrough, Non-invasive, Drug-Free Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder that has shown significant improvement in communication, mood, independence, and much more.

Autism

 

The MeRT Approach to Autism Treatment

To help your child, the Brain Treatment Center provides a breakthrough technology: MeRT or Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy. MeRT uses gentle magnetic waves to balance and stimulate brain function, guided by sophisticated diagnostics and imaging. And MeRT is compatible with most other types of therapy.
 
Our clinic in Newport Beach is the flagship clinic for MeRT—we are the original clinic that started this treatment! We’ve been treating autism here at the Brain Treatment Center for years, and results from this treatment are giving many parents renewed HOPE for their children!
 
Our staff holds children and their well-being in the highest regard, and we are committed to walking this journey with you and your child. Our mission is to do so with the utmost compassion and care. 
 

Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More

(949) 851-3086

Or fill in the form below and we will contact you.

 

MeRT: A Customized Approach to Autism Treatment

Autism

MeRT, or Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy, combines three procedures: 1. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS, an FDA-cleared therapy), 2. Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG), and 3. Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG).

Here’s how it works: In the brain of a child with autism, an EEG will show electrical signals that differ from those of a child with no signs of autism. From this EEG, we can then see the specific areas to address. As a result, we can customize TMS treatment for each child based on the results of their EEG. We also tailor the frequency, location, and power used. We do this with gentle magnetic waves that balance and stimulate brain function.

MeRT is not currently FDA-cleared for autism and is considered “off-label.” However, studies have shown that it can be instrumental in helping many children develop skills to function more normally. Additionally, MeRT can be used with other therapies to help get more out of those therapies.

 

This place is amazing!! We brought our daughter here for an assessment and decided to proceed with treatment. On the EEG we were able to see where there could be improvements – after 2 weeks of treatment another EEG is done so you can compare and contrast to make sure the treatment is working. There is notable improvements in her cognition and her ability to focus at school. The staff is courteous and very friendly. They always make my daughter feel comfortable with treatment. The staff is also very responsive when I had questions. I highly recommend this place!” – Grace H. 

 

Autism is Different for Every Child

Each child with autism is unique and has different severity levels. Every child will have their own patterns of dealing with the outside world, as well as different ways of communicating.
 
Autism can affect intelligence levels, yet some children have high levels, and some don’t. But even highly intelligent children with autism can lack common sense, social skills, and the ability to communicate. They can also have coping dysfunctions.
 
Because each child is different, their brain frequencies will also be different. That’s why we tailor MeRT treatment protocols to help restore their brain function optimally.
 
Autism has no known definite cause. According to research, inherited genetic factors account for about 80% of cases.
 
Additionally, studies are ongoing to determine if environmental exposures can contribute to autism. And it is possible that viral infections, medications, or pregnancy complications can also be a cause.  However, no matter the cause, there are treatments such as MeRT that can improve symptoms and quality of life.
 
 

Dr. Julie Kim, Physician/Owner of BTC Newport Beach and BTC San Diego

Dr. Julie Kim is a Board-Certified Internist with over 20 years of medical experience. She has been serving as Medical Director of the Flagship Brain Treatment Centers in Newport Beach, San Diego, and Cardiff since 2013.

Dr. Kim has dedicated the last decade to helping those in need and who can benefit from  MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance) therapy.  She has treated 5,000 + patients with MeRT at the flagship BTC center in Newport Beach.

As the most experienced MeRT clinician worldwide, she was asked to use her knowledge and expertise of MeRT to train and support other physicians to utilize the technology and spread the use of MeRT for Wave Neuroscience. In the past 4 years, she has trained over 100 physicians in understanding how to interpret qEEG brainwaves and use MeRT.

Since joining the Brain Treatment Center in 2013, Dr. Kim has pioneered and worked extensively with the treatment of patients with autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, stroke, depression, and other neurological disorders.

She co-created the initial safety protocols and physician training programs for the dissemination of MeRT technology. She has seen firsthand the effects of how MeRT therapy has changed the lives of her patients and the community of family and friends that surround each patient.

Dr. Kim takes pride in being able to effectively communicate how an individual’s brainwave patterns may be affecting their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. And, more importantly, how MeRT can be used to optimize those brainwaves to improve one’s mood, cognition, and actions.

From my personal experience being internal medicine trained, we wrote a lot of prescriptions and it took time for patients to feel better.

“With this technology we see patients’ lives transform within two to three, or four weeks and those are very fast changes when patients have struggled for a long time. We do the qEEG at the beginning to see where they are, and where their brain is when they start treatment and then we do one after every 10 treatments to see their progress, and we see the changes on the EEG.  

“Those are objective changes that we see; patients clinically will feel better, and the qEEG validates the changes and why they feel better. It would be difficult if I did not have that qEEG. We’re looking at the brain, an organ, that’s disruptive and our goal is to fix that disruption and to synchronize it. Once patients can see the changes objectively, they feel more confident that there’s value to the treatment. You know, this is a life-changing technology there are so many indications and it helped so many people that maybe didn’t have any other options.” – Dr. Julie Kim, Owner and Physician, Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach and Brain Treatment Center San Diego. 

 

There is Hope for Those With Autism  

MeRT, (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) is an amazing technology that has helped thousands of patients with autism. It is non-invasive and non-pharmaceutical.  The primary goal of treatment is to improve the functionality of the brain. This allows the patient to function more independently and to allow them to function at their full potential.  The Brain Treatment Center in Newport Beach was the first clinic to offer this treatment. Thousands of our patients who have gone through MeRT treatment have seen some amazing results.

Common benefits include:

  • Increased sociability
  • Less anxiety, less frustration, and a lessening of stimming behaviors
  • Ability to communicate more effectively
  • More “presence” and participation in the world going on around them
  • Better language skills
  • Improved connection with others
  • More independence
  • A better understanding of and response to commands
  • Better ability to adapt to a changing environment
  • Improved ability to cope with stress
  • Increased motivation to learn
  • Improved emotional stability
  • Increased attention span
  • Mood improvement
  • Increased relaxation
  • Improved response to other Autistic therapies
Many therapies for autism help to some degree, and we encourage patients to continue to take part in other programs. Our treatment optimizes brain communication and function. MeRT also helps patients gain more from their other therapies! 
 

My son Kelii had vaccine poisoning and got brain damage due to neurotoxicity. He became very violent, nonverbal, and had severe autistic behaviors—he was so violent that he gave four stitches on my lip and nerve damage on my left eye…. I couldn’t be alone with my son and couldn’t hug or touch him. It broke my heart.

My husband and I brought my son to California from Hawaii to go to the Brain Treatment Center. Within one week of the treatment my son was more calm and I got to hug him for the first time in two years. My son did six weeks of treatment and he received another four weeks…. He is much calmer and started playing ping [pong], shooting basketball, kicking the soccer ball, exercising, started volunteering at different programs, catching the city bus with his para-workers and started talking!!! I love BTC because they gave me back my son.” – Melodee Haole

 

Excellent service, very friendly and professional staff. Highly recommended. In the first two weeks we began to see small changes, as the therapy progressed there were more changes, my son spoke more, more eye contact, he was more integrated into the family and his environment, better sleep quality (now he sleeps through the night); he had moments of hyper activity as a side effect but these disappeared at the end of the therapy. There is no better fight than the one that is not done, it is worth risking, it is worth trying, it is worth MERT. We are happy with our son’s changes!!!!” – Maria
 
 
Dr. Erik Won, President and Chief Medical Officer at Wave Neuroscience

“We’ve seen some promising results in autism.”

EEGs (electrical pictures of the brain) can tell us when there are abnormalities in neural networks. … And we run that data through a normative database, and we can see, for example, if somebody has an area in the left prefrontal cortex that’s cycling at two Hertz — which means that they may be only processing information two times per second — whereas the rest of their brain may be cycling 11 times per second. …

MeRT was engineered to be a brain optimization technology where we’re trying to increase the coherence, [so] different areas of the brain can communicate with each other and improve the metabolic efficiency of the brain. With that in mind, we do see some improvements across a number of different dimensions. We’ve seen some improvements and some promising results in autism.”

– Dr. Erik Won, President of Wave Neuroscience, from his appearance on the Broken Brain podcast

 

Testimony from a father who brought his son for treatment all the way from South Korea! 

Flying over to the US from South Korea just to get MeRT treatment was not the easiest decision I had to make. But I definitely think it was one of the best decisions I have made for my child for his autism. I want to say that MeRT has changed my son’s life. I want to thank everyone who works at BTC Newport Beach! Dr. Kim was always very nice and kind to our family. She answered all of our questions, even the ones we thought it was too trivial to ask. 

All of the technicians at BTC Newport Beach were awesome. They were all very patient with my child, who is very sensitive and has a very low level of concentration, so that he could go through everyday’s therapy with no problem. I really felt like every technician truly cared about all the children who were there getting MeRT, and I personally think this is the most important aspect to consider when getting MeRT, because the staff are the ones that the children would interact with every day. Last, but not least, the patient care coordinators were very helpful with the schedules, documents, etc. They made our visit much more comfortable. Thank you all very much! 

I want to discuss how MeRT has helped my child. There are 3 major changes I have noticed about my child after 8 weeks of treatment. First, the eye contact. Like most autistic kids, my child’s ability to keep eye contact was very poor. After the treatment, his eye contact lasts much longer, many times for the entire conversation. Not only does he look at me longer, but he really LOOKS at me.

Second, his awareness has improved. When I tried to talk to him before, he would mostly repeat what I had just said. After the treatment, he seems to better understand what I am saying to him. Now, he demands more, he is more insistent (in a good way), and heals uses many new words. Our communication is much more meaningful.

Last, he has improved in fine motor skills. My child did not show much interest in using pencils or scissors, because he simply could not use them very well. But now, he draws pictures and writes letters with different writing tools, and even cuts out complex shapes with scissors. 

MeRT did not cure my child. However, out of many different therapies I had for him for the past several years, this has been the most effective therapy by far which brought noticeable changes in a short period of time. I hope this testimonial   would help the parents who are considering MeRT for their child, and also wish that more autistic children can benefit from MeRT!” – J. Her 

 

Is MeRT the Right Treatment for Your Child?

We understand that MeRT is a relatively new treatment, and you may not feel certain if this is the right approach. But this is not something you need to decide right away—or all alone.  Your first step would be a no-obligation phone consultation with our New Patient Coordinator. She can answer your questions, explain protocols and fees, and address your concerns.
 

Getting Started With MeRT Treatment for Autism

If you’re interested in taking the next step to see if MeRT treatment is right for your child, we can set up an appointment for a qEEG (a simple, painless, and non-invasive brain scan). This test will allow us to see EXACTLY what is going on in their brain. We individualize treatment based on your child’s exact needs.
 
When you come for your first appointment, it will last approximately 45 minutes to an hour. We will gather your new patient paperwork, and our neuro technician will perform a qEEG and EKG to evaluate brain activity. At your qEEG appointment, we will set up the schedule with you for your assessment period, should you decide to proceed.
 
After we get the results of the qEEG, our team of experienced doctors and scientists will study and analyze the results. This enables us to determine how your child may benefit from treatment. It also enables us to come up with a specific treatment program for your child.
 
Your second appointment is 45 minutes long. During this time, you will meet with Nurse Practitioner Kayleigh Prowse for your clinical evaluation. She will answer any questions that you may have and discuss your child’s treatment plan. Please note that Dr. Julie Kim oversees treatment for every patient. 
 
At this point, you can decide if you would like to take the next step: A short period of initial treatment. This assessment period will determine how well your child responds before you commit to the full treatment period.
 
If you are not yet ready to commit to going through an assessment period of treatment, that is no problem. You can bring your child in for their qEEG and consult. Our doctor will review the results before proceeding with the assessment period.
 

Assessment Period

The assessment period lasts two weeks. The assessment period will help determine how your child responds to treatment. At the end of the assessment period, we will complete a second qEEG to note any changes occurring in the brain. 
 
After completing a two-week assessment period, they will have five treatment sessions the first week, Monday through Friday. The second week will consist of four sessions, Monday through Thursday, followed by a repeat qEEG to determine progress.  
 
If progress is positive, we will schedule subsequent two-week treatment periods through the end of treatment. Each treatment period lasts for two weeks, and you must be able to stay in Newport Beach or the surrounding area.
 
For long-lasting results, we recommend that your child completes a total of six weeks of treatment. As treatment progresses, you should also begin to notice changes in the way your child is feeling and acting.
 
Please note that results and improvements depend on active and strict observation of our regimens. Results may vary based on the individual users and are not guaranteed. 
 

Treatment  

The results of therapy can vary per individual. In general, the longer the length of MeRT therapy, the longer the changes remain. Since each brain is unique, the protocol will be different for each patient. We use the results of the qEEG to customize treatment specifically for your child. Generally, the results of treatment can last a lifetime. Some parents do prefer occasional follow-up treatment as needed at a later date.  
 
A typical treatment session takes about 45 minutes. Your child will sit in a chair while the neurotechnician administers the treatment via a hand-held magnet near the scalp. The gentle magnetic impulses last for six to eight seconds each minute. There may be a slight sensation felt while the treatment is occurring, but it is not painful or uncomfortable.
 
 Each individual is different, and protocols may vary. Your provider will have regularly scheduled follow-up EEGs and meet with you to gauge your child’s progress.
 

This place is amazing. The people are wonderful. As a mother of a 31 year old autistic son, this place has given me hope. My son is doing much better and we are excited about our future. Seeing changes in him that I only dreamed of. The staff is incredible. Thank you so much!” – Justin  (Parent of child with autism treated with MeRT)

 

Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More

(949) 851-3086

Or fill in the form below and we will contact you.

 

Autism Parenting Magazine Features Successful Treatment with MeRT

In the third week, something happened. The family was driving around sight-seeing when they realized that they were getting lost in the California desert. Mary and Frank began to argue, and right in the midst of it, the moment they had waited six years for finally came. “I remember he said a seven-word sentence basically to the effect of ‘I want you two to stop fighting.’ And it shocked me so much that I almost stopped breathing,” Frank recounts. “I looked at my wife and said ‘Do you realize what just happened? He just said a seven-word sentence.’ I had tears in my eyes, and I was happy at the same time. 

From there, Frankie’s progress snowballed. They returned home after only a month, but the difference between the child who arrived in California and the one who left was striking. They had taken a video of Frankie on the plane when they started the journey, “and he’s just making baby babble,” Frank says. “We have another video of him on the plane coming back. And he looks out the window and says, ‘Goodbye California, see you soon.’ This was a nonverbal kid, 30 days later. And his feet are flat on the ground.”

Doctors said Frankie would continue to improve even without regular MeRT, albeit a bit slower. Today, he is 11 years old, verbal, and attends a public school. He tells Frank stories about times when he wanted to speak but couldn’t. “He goes ‘You know, I’m so glad we went to the brain treatment because now I can talk,’” says Frank.

 

MeRT’s Effectiveness in Treating ASD Symptoms: Studies and Reports

Targeted rTMS (repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation) is a key element of our MeRT treatment for autism. Many studies show the effectiveness of rTMS for autism treatment. Here are some of the most recent:

  • A 2022 study on the effectiveness of rTMS in the treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms: “This study presents evidence on the efficacy and safety of α-rTMS in improving ASD symptoms, quality of life, and comorbid sleep troubles in children.”
  • A 2019 study found that rTMS may improve brain activity and behavior in children with ASD: “In conclusion, the study showed that treatment with prefrontal low‐frequency rTMS improved brain functioning and behavioral symptoms in autism. rTMS might be a better alternative for patients with ASD who are not suitable for the psychopharmacological treatments.”
  • A 2016 report concluded that MeRT is a promising therapeutic option to treat ASD with minimal side effects: “Given our understanding of the EEG and the consistent abnormalities in the electrophysiology of children with ASD, we would suggest that MRT is an appropriate therapeutic option to further pursue.”
  • A 2020 review of 13 clinical trials found that rTMS appears to be safe and to improve many ASD symptoms: “Recent reviews of the literature suggest that TMS is safe and effective when used in ASD.”

As MeRT is EEG-guided rTMS it is even more tailored to each individual based on their brain scans, making it even more effective!

 

Some Impressive Statistics

In an internal double-blind, randomized controlled trial of MeRT treatment for Autism symptoms:

66% experienced speech improvement
This included those with verbal and non-verbal communication difficulties.

70% improved their eye contact behavior
These patients had previously had difficulty maintaining eye contact.

 

Mikey’s Story

 

Considering MeRT treatment for your child? This Video is a MUST-WATCH

The Autism One Conference has a wealth of information ranging from the science behind MeRT treatment and autism to case studies that show actual results. Sandy Lee, M.D., Alex Ring, Chief Brain Scientist at Wave Neuroscience, and Miriam Gimal, mom of an autistic child, all take part and offer their insights into how MeRT can help children with autism. The presenters also cover the typical brain patterns seen in autistic children and testimonials. This is a “Must Watch” for any parent considering MeRT treatment for their autistic child!  CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO!

 

MeRT Treatment for Autism Featured on “The Doctors” TV Show

An episode of “The Doctors” featured the Brain Treatment Center and MeRT. They discussed the treatment of autism using MeRT Technology. You can see this episode HERE.

 

Would You Like More Information? Contact Our New Patient Coordinator.

It’s normal for patients and their families who are affected by brain disorders to feel frustrated and isolated. After all, many have lost hope that there is any relief in sight. We understand what you are going through, and our goal is to help guide you through the process.  In doing so, we want to help you make an informed decision about whether treatment is right for your child.
 
MeRT is a treatment protocol that has helped patients restore their brain function. Because of this, it allows them to reclaim their lives and feel passionate about living again. In fact, many of our clinicians and technicians have gone through MeRT treatment protocols themselves. They have realized firsthand what the treatment has done for them and are passionate about helping others.
 
Our New Patient Coordinator is available to answer any questions that you may have about how MeRT can help your child. She’ll take the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, put your mind at ease, and also help schedule you for a qEEG/consultation and treatment.
 

Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More

(949) 851-3086

Or fill in the form below and we will contact you.

Contact Us

For more information or to book a Consultation.

  • Absolute Contraindications

    Absolute contraindications for cortical MeRT treatment: Pacemaker, Defibrillator, Vagal Nerve Stimulator, VP Shunt/ Magnetic intracranial shunts, Deep Brain Stimulator, Epidural Cortical stimulator, Steel shunts/stents, Cranial metal fragments (i.e. shrapnel, excluding titanium), Cochlear implant, Aneurysm clips, coils, pipelines flow diversion, Pregnant or breastfeeding, Primary brain cancer / metastatic legions in brain (unless palliative care), Magnetic dental implants, Implanted cardio-verter defibrillators (ICD), Ocular implants.
  • Relative Contraindications

    Relative contraindications require closer protocol attention and may or may not disqualify someone from receiving cortical MeRT treatment, depending on the doctor’s discretion and the person’s individual condition. These include: History of Seizure or seizure disorder, Titanium shunts/stents, Spinal Cord Stimulator, Hearing aids, Ferrous cortical implants, Magnetic ink tattoo, Bipolar Disorder Type I/II, Baha Implant.

 

*Testimonials appearing on this website are received in various forms via a variety of submission methods. The testimonials reflect the real-life experiences of individuals who used our products. However, individual results may vary. We do not claim, nor should the reader assume, that any individual experience recounted is typical or representative of what any other consumer might experience. Testimonials are not necessarily representative of what anyone else using our products may experience. 

The testimonials displayed are given verbatim except for grammatical or typing error corrections. Some testimonials may have been edited for clarity or shortened in cases where the original testimonial included extraneous information of no relevance to the general public. BTC is not responsible for the opinions or comments posted on this website and does not necessarily share the opinions, views, or commentary of postings on this website. All opinions expressed are strictly the views of the poster or reviewer. All testimonials are reviewed for authenticity before they are posted for public viewing.

Testimonials on this website are not intended, nor should they be construed, as claims that the products or services mentioned can be used to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease. On the contrary, our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. No testimonial has been clinically proven or evaluated, no medical claims whatsoever were made, and no statements on this website have been evaluated by the FDA.

 

Payment Options

We take all major credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
 
Care Credit is also an option to assist in financing medical expenses. This is a separate company from The Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach. This is a credit card that can be used to cover medical expenses and services. They typically offer zero-interest financing for 12 months.
 
Usually, when you go to the Care Credit website and apply, they will let you know if approval has been granted.
 

Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More

(949) 851-3086

Or fill in the form above and we will contact you.

 

 

 

Our New Patient Coordinator is happy to talk with you, explain the our treatment protocols and fees and answer any questions you may have.

Contact our New Patient Coordinator for a Consultation

(949) 851-3086
https://www.braintreatmentnewportbeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/BTC_EDIT_04-1-1.mp4

Footer

Contact Us

New Patients – (949) 647-5055

Existing Patients – 949-851-3086

Fax – (949) 398-8072

Address: 1601 Dove Street, Suite 275
Newport Beach, CA 92660

Hours

Monday to Friday, 8AM to 4PM

Follow Us

Map