About Us

The Original Brain Treatment Center

Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach

The Physicians and Scientists at the Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach are the leaders in MeRT Treatment. Studies originally began in California through the US Department of Defense involving veterans who suffered combat-related brain injuries. 

MeRT is an emerging technology that aims to improve brain function and communication. The equipment used in MeRT is FDA-cleared to treat Major Depressive Disorder and OCD and is used off-label to treat a variety of other neurological conditions. We use MeRT to treat:

  • Autism
  • Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD)
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
  • After-effects of stroke
  • Depression
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Dementia
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Developmental delays
  • Cognitive performance
  • Brain optimization

Our team is passionate about delivering personalized care backed by scientific expertise. We hope for the best possible outcomes for all our patients to aid in their journey for a better quality of life and optimal brain health.

 

Our Mission

Our mission is to offer anyone suffering silently from a neurological ailment, disease, or disorder a customized, non-pharmaceutical, and non-invasive solution using the cutting-edge technology of Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy.”

Our Philosophy

We explore the concept that the brain can be treated by physical means. With the exploration of the relationship between cognition and neural activity, an informed approach to non-invasive neuromodulation is possible. Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach’s dedicated team of neuroscientists and physicians believes in delivering individualized treatment to each person. This allows people to achieve a healthier life with neurological issues.

EXPERIENCE

More than 10 Years of Experience Working with MeRT

Dr. Julie Kim has been serving as Medical Director of Brain Treatment Centers in Newport Beach, San Diego, and Cardiff since 2013. 

She has dedicated the last decade to those in need of MeRT® (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) and has treated over 6,000 patients with MeRT at the flagship BTC Center in Newport Beach.

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Our Success

We have the distinct honor of being the Flagship of MeRT treatment, treating thousands of patients since 2008 at our Newport Beach and San Diego Centers.

Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach is the first clinic in the world to utilize MeRT(sm) Technology. With the experience of treating over 6,000 patients throughout the past decade, we have become leaders in the field of individualized magnetic stimulation.
The Total Number of Patients Treated – over 6000
The Total Number of Treatments Delivered – Over 130,000
# of Patients1013

21,415 Autism Treatments

# of Patients412

10,037 Depression Treatments

# of Patients466

13,364 PTSD Treatments

# of Patients366

11,038 Concussion Treatments

# of Patients517

13,790 Anxiety Treatments

# of Patients339

8460 Sleep Disorder Treatments

# of Patients519

3420 Brain Optimization

Meet Our Providers

Julie Kim, M.D., FACP

Dr. Julie Kim is a board-certified internist with over 25 years of medical experience. She has been serving as Medical Director of Brain Treatment Centers in Newport Beach, San Diego, and Cardiff since 2013. 

She has dedicated the last decade to those in need of MeRT (Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy) and has treated 6,000+ patients with MeRT at the flagship BTC Center in Newport Beach.

As the most experienced MeRT clinician worldwide, Dr. Kim was asked to use her knowledge and expertise of MeRT to train and support other physicians in this technology and spread the use of MeRT for Wave Neuroscience. In the past four years, she has trained over 100 physicians to understand how to interpret qEEG results and use MeRT. 

Prior to joining the Brain Treatment team, she spent 14 years practicing primary care in the Chicago suburbs and Southern California. During her earlier years, she cultivated a deep connection with her patients and a lifelong commitment to providing compassionate, high-quality care in both large corporate and boutique medical settings.

Dr. Kim has brought that passion to Newport Beach and is dedicated to working with her patients to both encourage brain development and optimize brain function non-invasively and without the use of medication. 

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.  

Read more about Dr. Kim.

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. 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 of Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach and Brain Treatment Center in San Diego. 

K. Anthony Kim, M.D., FAANS

Dr. Kim was born in Athens, Greece, to a diplomatic family. During his childhood, he attended schools in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, Libya, and South Korea. He is fluent in Korean.

Dr. Kim graduated from the prestigious Yale University with a Bachelor of Science intensive in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Music. He also underwent one year of a Master’s Program in Musical Arts while at Yale.

He obtained his M.D. at Keck-University of Southern California School of Medicine, graduated with the Highest Distinction, and was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society in 2000.

Dr. Kim is a board-certified diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery (ABNS) and a fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS). And he has been ranked as one of the Top Doctors by the Orange County Medical Association, receiving their “Physician of Excellence” designation (OCMA) every single year since 2013.

For close to a decade, Dr. Kim has served as the physician liaison and Chief Medical Officer for applying non-invasive Magnetic e-Resonance Therapy (MeRT) to patients with Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion and PTSD at NeuroMod Sciences and the Brain Treatment Centers in Newport Beach and San Diego, CA. He has worked with active soldiers as well as veterans to alleviate symptoms of PTSD and Depression.

He seeks to advance non-invasive, non-surgical methods to ease symptoms and improve diagnosis in the new realm of neuro-physicians. Click here to read more about Dr. Kim. 

 

Nurse Practitioner Kayleigh Prowse

Our Nurse Practitioner, Kayleigh Prowse, received her undergraduate degree in psychology from UCLA and her graduate degree from Boston College.

She has used her many skills in various medical environments. She has worked at a magnet-recognized children’s hospital, along with working in the Emergency Department at a hospital specializing in Stroke and Neurology.

Kayleigh’s passion has fueled her desire to expand treatment options for those who need them. Additionally, she has vast knowledge and practical experience in clinical trials for new treatments and for ongoing research studies. Kayleigh was the lead clinician in offering a new treatment approved by the FDA and helped establish clinic protocols. She also currently serves on a committee that focuses on how to integrate new treatments into clinics.

We are proud to have Kayleigh on our team at the Brain Treatment Center in Newport Beach and San Diego because of her expertise and commitment. With the MeRT technology used at our clinics, she focuses on improving outcomes for every patient.

 

Sheila Stephens

Sheila Stephens, PA-C

Sheila has been a Physician Assistant since 2016. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from UNLV and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Western University of Health Sciences. Sheila has spent most of her medical career working in urgent care and obesity medicine.

Through her work in obesity medicine, she fell in love with the aspect of behavior change driving better health outcomes. However, the longer she worked in this field, along with her urgent care experience, she saw that so many patients were not getting better with standard treatments. During her quest to bridge this gap, she was introduced to integrative medicine. Even with improved outcomes implementing integrative medicine, she could see that on a deeper level, so many health conditions have a root cause in untreated mental health or neurological issues.

Now Sheila is a part of truly helping patients who have exhausted so many other options, and she looks forward to meeting you and being a part of your journey to mental wellness.

 

OUR VITAL SUPPORT TEAM

Meet the Rest of the Team

We have a great team of dedicated Neurotechnicians and Patient Care staff to provide you with top-notch service.

They will make sure your service is top quality and that every patient is well cared for.

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Nancy - Patient Care Concierge/Neurotechnician

Mario - Neurotechnician

Carolina - Neurotechnician

Adolfo - Neurotechnician

Our Clinic

Brain Treatment Center Newport Beach

Brain Treatment Center is located in the heart of South Orange County near a multitude of beaches and attractions with easy access to most major freeways. If you are unfamiliar with the area, please don’t hesitate to contact our staff. We are more than happy to recommend lodging and activities for you and your family to enjoy during your stay.

Our office is conveniently located near the John Wayne Airport at 1601 Dove Street, Suite 275, Newport Beach, CA, 92660. There is ample parking available surrounding the building. Our suite is located on the second floor through the glass double doors. The parking closest to our suite is off Westerly Street and will have stair access to the second floor. If you need an elevator, there is one located near the north side of the parking lot closest to Dove Street. View our Location.
 
If you have any questions, visit here to Contact Us now.

The MeRT Process

MeRT evolved from a technology called rTMS (repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). However, MeRT is much more customized for each patient based on their brain scans and symptoms.

Studies have shown altered brain wave oscillations in patients suffering from conditions such as Major Depression Disorder (MDD), Autism, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety, and more. The MeRT treatment protocol uses a magnetic field to balance and stimulate brain function.

Click through these simple 5-Steps in the horizontal menu below…

  • Talk with our New Patient Coordinator
  • Initial Analysis
  • Assessment Period
  • Full Treatment Program
  • Final Testing
Talk with our New Patient Coordinator

Our New Patient Coordinator is here to help

Call us and talk with our New Patient Coordinator. She will take the time to answer any questions you have as explain things. You can discuss your specific circumstances and she can explain how it all works.

This consultation is free of charge and there are no obligations to move forward with any further steps.

If you would like to take the next steps to see if you or your loved one may benefit from MeRT, she can schedule a qEEG (brain scan) and a consultation to discuss the results with our clinician. 

Call (949) 418-1108

Initial Analysis

The qEEG and Consultation

If you are interested in seeing if MeRT treatment is right for you, we will initially schedule two appointments, both of which last about 45 minutes.

For the initial analysis, you will come in for a comprehensive testing appointment. We will gather your new patient paperwork, and then our chief neuro technician will perform a qEEG and EKG to enable us to identify any dysfunction or communication problems in your brain. Should you decide to proceed with treatment, we will schedule your assessment period.

If you are not yet ready to commit to going through an assessment period of treatment or prefer your qEEG and consultation done to ensure you are a candidate for treatment, we also offer the option of coming in for a qEEG/EKG and consultation with our clinician to see your results before proceeding with the assessment period. 

Your second appointment is also 45 minutes. During this time, you will meet with one of our clinicians, Kayleigh Prowse or Sheila Stephens, for your consultation. She will discuss your qEEG results, answer any questions you may have and discuss your applicable treatment plan. Dr. Julie Kim, our Medical Director, oversees all treatment for each patient. 

Assessment Period

Two Weeks of MeRT followed by new testing

The assessment period of treatment lasts two weeks. This assessment period will help you — and us — determine how you are responding to treatment. 

You will have your initial qEEG/EKG and then attend treatment sessions for two weeks. The first week will be Monday through Friday, and the second week, Monday through Thursday, nine sessions in total, followed by a repeat qEEG to determine progress and note any changes occurring in your brain. 

A typical treatment session takes about 45 minutes. You will sit in a chair while the neuro-technician administers the treatment near the scalp via a hand-held magnet. We deliver gentle magnetic impulses for six to eight seconds each minute. You may feel a slight sensation while the treatment is occurring, but it is not painful or uncomfortable.

Full Treatment Program

Continuing Treatment

Once the assessment period is complete, we will schedule the subsequent two-week treatment periods. Because each treatment period lasts for two weeks, you must be able to stay in Newport Beach or the surrounding area.

The comparison between the initial and second qEEG/clinical evaluation will often show if you are responding. You may also start to experience changes in the way you are feeling during this time. For some, it takes longer before changes are more obvious. We highly advise a total of six to eight weeks of treatment (which includes the assessment period) for optimal and long-lasting results. 

Since each brain is unique, the protocol will be different for each patient as it is based on specific qEEG/EKG data from your brain, and the specific condition being treated. Generally, the results of treatment can last a lifetime, though some people prefer occasional follow-up treatment as needed. But each person is different, and protocols may vary. Your provider will have regularly scheduled follow-up EEGs and meet with you to gauge your progress.

Final Testing

Review of Changes and Improvements

An additional qEEG is performed at the end of treatment to assess and take stock of the benefits and improvements that have occurred as a result of the full treatment protocol. 

Please note that results and improvements are based on active and strict observation of our regimens. Results may vary based on the individual users and are not guaranteed. Plus, the results of therapy can vary per individual. In general, the longer the length of MeRT therapy, the longer the changes remain.

Insurance Coverage and Payment Options

After your initial qEEG/EKG, you will have a two-week assessment period of treatment. This treatment period comprises nine treatment sessions, which will determine how well you respond to treatment.
 
A typical treatment session takes about 45 minutes. You sit in a chair while the neuro technician administers the treatment using a hand-held magnet placed on the specific area of your scalp based on your test results. The gentle magnetic impulses last for six to eight seconds each minute. You may feel a slight sensation during treatment, but it is not painful or uncomfortable.  
 
At the end of the assessment period, we complete a second qEEG to note any changes occurring in your brain and to determine progress. The comparison between the first and second qEEG/clinical evaluations will determine if you are responding. You should also start to experience changes in the way you are feeling during this time. 
clinician going over treatment progress with patient

Contact Our New Patient
Coordinator for more Information

It’s normal for patients and their families affected by brain disorders to feel uncertain about treatment options and what is best. MeRT is a treatment protocol that has helped patients restore their brain function, reclaim their lives, and get a whole new lease on life.

Our goal is to help guide you through the process so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not MeRT is the right treatment for you or your child. Our clinicians and technicians are passionate about helping you to heal.

Our New Patient Coordinator is available to answer any questions that you may have about how MeRT can help you specifically. She’ll take the time to listen to your concerns and put your mind at ease. She can also assist in getting you scheduled with the clinic should you decide to move forward with treatment.

Call Our New Patient Coordinator to Learn More

(949) 418-1108