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Dr.Megan Vaughan

Background

Dr. Megan Vaughan is a Speech-Language Pathologist specializing in Contemplative Neuroscience. Dr. Vaughan is trained in Buddhist Psychology with certification as a Trauma-Informed Provider and a Brain Injury Specialist. Dr. Vaughan’s decade of experience with concussions and mild brain injury has provided intricate knowledge of the inner-workings of cognitive communication systems and brain health. During her doctoral program at Northwestern University, she developed the Mindfulness-Based Communication Enhancement (MBCE) Program for Special Forces, which became a multi-site intervention for specialty programs serving Active Duty Operatives. After completing MBCE program, Operatives had statistically significant gains in memory, attention, empathy and emotional intelligence. While working with Special Forces, Dr. Vaughan was nicknamed “The Jedi Master”.

Prior to her current role as co-founder of Integrative Performance Labs, she worked with celebrities in Los Angeles and then transitioned to working with Special Forces. During this time, Dr. Vaughan was part of the Veterans Affairs’ CALM Initiative which was developed to create a standardized, evidenced-based approach to mindfulness teaching for the highest caliber of mindfulness delivery. Her legacy training is Jon Kabat-Zinn and Jack Kornfield to Greg Serpa.

Leadership

 

Currently, Dr. Vaughan serves on the Executive Committee for Complimentary Integrative Rehabilitation Medicine for the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) and started a task force on developing integrative medicine guidelines for audiologist and speech-language pathologists. Dr. Vaughan has led mindfulness sessions for the ACRM annual conference, the largest interdisciplinary rehabilitation research conference in the world. She has presented at numerous National and International Conferences on mindfulness based interventions.

Clinical Work

Dr. Vaughan uses traditional and integrative approaches to treat tinnitus, sleep disordered breathing (obstructive sleep apnea and snoring, myofunctional therapy), manual therapy for TMJ jaw pain and brain training for mental clarity, motivation, attention, and memory. Her specialties are in Sports Medicine, Special Forces, concussion care and mild head injury.  She provides therapy in Virginia, Florida and North Carolina.

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Life journey

My work began with living in Asia and doing accent work which likely influenced my ability to fully embrace culture. I developed a deep fascination with the brain, the mind and language. I then went on to become a speech language pathologist focusing on brain injury and post traumatic stress. I worked in Los Angeles with celebrities returning them to work and then my husband PCS'd to Fayetteville, NC. Here he began his Army career and working in the SOF School House and this is when I was introduced to my first SOF friends and clients. We lived with SOF, worked with SOF and treated SOF. My son was born there and I loved/ still love my military family. My military family are my home, my heart and my tribe. My husband was medically discharged and our life took an unexpected turn. I found a job in Richmond Virginia, the STAR program, again serving SOF. Here is where my work deepened and I began to see beyond the diagnosis and integrating my life experiences and the higher understanding of the human who serves in SOF, self sacrifices, serves a family both inside the team and at home. To better serve, I became entrenched in integrative medicine and became known as the Jedi Master. I then received a Merit Scholarship to attend Northwestern University, the top university in the nation for my focus. Here my work became steeped into neuroscience blended with the human experience and developed the Mindfulness-Based Communication Enhancement Group which spread to multiple DoD and VA sites. Through my work and years of focus groups, I realized we were putting a bandaid on a very deep wound and what if we could prevent that wound altogether or at least make it so the arrow does not penetrate so deeply, we could save lives and years of heartache. This lead to the Trident Solution. A multi-faceted integrative model that heals the entire warrior as a preventative approach. Thus my path grew and Integrative Performance Labs was born with the first ever solution for SOF built by SOF and delivered by SOF.

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Grandfather in the Army for Korean War.

My goal is to be a champion for indigenous people and carry on the legacy of family.

Seed beadwork on a loom

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Macrame flag with buffalo bone, porcupine quills, painted eagle feather, horse hard, shells and PowWow beading. Made when I was growing through true growth and pain. 

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The one you feed is the one who wins. A painted a copy of an amazing artist's work as part of a mindfulness project.

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Wool image of being silenced. Dyed wool from family sheep.

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Cultural

My cultural influence comes out most in my art and my deep passion for healing others. Healing is what I was put on this earth to do. I have pride in my country and my background and those who serve it. And I intend to heal those who seek help and shelter from the storms of the past and medical pain. 

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