100 Cummings Center Suite 204 G Beverly, MA 01915
90 Madison St Suite 304 Worcester, MA 01608
Our Approach
Integrative Behavioral Health at NIE
Mental and behavioral health outcomes are fundamentally influenced by nervous system regulation and the bidirectional communication pathways between the brain, heart, and gut. These biological systems work in concert to shape emotional responses, cognitive function, and overall psychological well-being.
Our integrative services are designed to complement and enhance psychotherapy and psychiatric care by addressing underlying patterns of nervous system dysregulation that may limit therapeutic progress or medication response.
Why Integrative Behavioral Health
Clinical outcomes from psychotherapy or psychiatric medication may reach a therapeutic plateau when persistent nervous system dysregulation remains unaddressed. Symptoms such as heightened reactivity, difficulty with emotional modulation, or impaired stress recovery often reflect autonomic imbalance rather than inadequate psychological intervention.
Nervous System Regulation
Addressing autonomic imbalance and physiological stress patterns that underlie behavioral symptoms
Enhanced Adaptability
Building capacity for flexible responding to environmental demands and psychological stressors
Sustained Resilience
Supporting long-term regulatory capacity that extends beyond the therapeutic session
Whole-system care integrates biological, neurological, and autonomic interventions with psychological treatment, creating a foundation for more durable therapeutic gains and improved quality of life.
Three Systems
Our Whole-System Approach
Effective behavioral health intervention requires attention to three interconnected physiological systems that collectively regulate mood, cognition, and stress response. Our approach addresses each system while recognizing their dynamic interplay.
Brain
Attention regulation, cognitive processing, executive function, and neural plasticity
Heart
Emotional regulation, autonomic nervous system balance, cardiovascular coherence, stress recovery
Gut
Microbiome balance, inflammatory modulation, neurotransmitter synthesis, gut-brain axis function
Integrative Services at NIE
Our clinical services target nervous system regulation through evidence-informed modalities. Each intervention is selected based on individual assessment and integrated with existing psychotherapy or psychiatric treatment.
Biofeedback & HRV Training
Real-time physiological monitoring to enhance autonomic regulation, improve heart rate variability, and build stress resilience through targeted breathing and relaxation techniques.
Neurofeedback
EEG-based training to optimize brainwave patterns associated with attention, emotional regulation, and cognitive performance. Particularly beneficial for attention deficits and anxiety.
Functional & Biological Assessment
Comprehensive laboratory assessment of nutritional status, inflammatory markers, metabolic function, and gut health to identify biological factors that may influence mental health, and treatment response.
Personalized Nutrition & Lifestyle Support
Evidence-based dietary interventions, supplement protocols, sleep optimization, and lifestyle modifications tailored to individual biological and behavioral health needs.
Nervous System Regulation
Supportive, evidence-informed interventions that promote nervous system balance, emotional regulation, and stress recovery—enhancing resilience and responsiveness to treatment.
Medication Optimization
Pharmacist-led review and optimization of medications to support effectiveness, tolerability, and adherence. Services may include pharmacogenomics-informed insights and collaboration with prescribing clinicians to support individualized treatment decisions.
Who May Benefit
Integrative behavioral health services are appropriate for children and adults presenting with symptoms that suggest nervous system dysregulation or biological contributors to mental health concerns. Services are individualized based on comprehensive clinical assessment.
Emotional Dysregulation
Difficulty modulating emotional responses, mood instability, heightened reactivity
Attention & Executive Function Challenges
Difficulty sustaining focus, impulsivity, working memory deficits, planning difficulties
Anxiety & Worry
Persistent worry, physiological tension, panic symptoms, hypervigilance
Depression & Low Motivation
Persistent low mood, anhedonia, fatigue, difficulty with activation
Chronic Stress Response
Prolonged stress exposure, burnout, difficulty recovering from stressors
Sleep Disturbances
Difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, non-restorative sleep, circadian rhythm disruption
Collaborative Care
How Integrative Services Support Therapy & Psychiatry
Integrative behavioral health services are designed to augment, not replace, psychotherapy and psychiatric treatment. By addressing biological and autonomic factors, these interventions enhance treatment readiness and optimize therapeutic outcomes.
Enhanced Therapy Readiness
Nervous system regulation improves capacity for emotional processing, distress tolerance, and engagement in therapeutic work.
Optimized Medication Response
Addressing nutritional deficits, inflammation, and metabolic factors may improve psychiatric medication efficacy and tolerability.
Long-Term Regulation
Building physiological resilience supports sustained symptom improvement and reduces risk of relapse beyond active treatment.
All integrative services are coordinated with existing mental health providers to ensure continuity of care and collaborative treatment planning.
Meet Dr. Roula Barada, PharmD
Dr. Roula Barada, PharmD, is a Doctor of Pharmacy with advanced training in integrative and functional medicine, specializing in nervous system regulation and neuro-integrative behavioral health. Her work focuses on how biological, emotional, and neurological factors interact to influence mental and behavioral health.
Dr. Barada integrates neuroscience, autonomic regulation, functional testing, biofeedback, neurofeedback, and personalized lifestyle strategies to complement psychotherapy and psychiatric care. She is currently pursuing advanced doctoral training in integrative medicine and is committed to advancing whole-system approaches to behavioral health.
Education & Licensure
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Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
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Currently pursuing PhD and Doctorate in Integrative Medicine
Certifications
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Neurofeedback Practitioner
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HeartMath® Institute Certified Practitioner
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Board Certified Health Coach (BCHC)
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Certified Holistic Autism Coach
Whole-System Care for Lasting Change
Integrative behavioral health at NIE represents a clinically informed approach to addressing the biological foundations of mental and emotional well-being. By supporting nervous system regulation alongside psychotherapy and psychiatric treatment, we help patients achieve more complete and durable therapeutic outcomes.
Evidence-Informed
Services grounded in neuroscience, psychophysiology, and clinical research
Individualized
Personalized protocols tailored to unique biological and behavioral presentations
Collaborative
Coordinated care with existing mental health and medical providers
For questions about integrative behavioral health services or to schedule an initial consultation, please contact the NIE front desk or speak with your current provider about referral options.
Getting Started
Integrative behavioral health services are available through clinical evaluation and may be recommended by your existing mental health provider or requested directly. Initial assessment includes comprehensive review of current symptoms, medical history, and treatment goals.
Access Pathways
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Provider referral from your current therapist or psychiatrist
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Direct inquiry through the NIE front desk
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Clinical evaluation and treatment planning consultation
Services are individualized and integrated based on clinical assessment. Treatment planning occurs collaboratively with your existing care team to ensure coordinated, whole-person care.
Clinical Disclaimer: All services are provided following comprehensive clinical assessment. Care is individualized and integrated based on presenting concerns, treatment history, and collaborative treatment planning with existing providers.