About Gray Matters

Anthony Silver

Director, MS, MA, LMFT, BCN, QEEG-D

Anthony Silver is the founder and executive director of Gray Matters. He is a highly experienced psychotherapist, and is board certified in both neurofeedback and functional brain imaging (qEEG). He is one of only a handful of clinicians in the U.S. awarded Diplomate status by the International QEEG Certification Board.

Anthony has played a pioneering role in the integration of functional brain imaging (qEEG) in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders, making Gray Matters a regional center for treatment and research. Under his direction, Gray Matters has made over 10,000 brain recordings, showing the distinct functional profiles of a range of issues, including ADHD, Anxiety. PTSD and Concussion – with significant implications for the way such issues can be diagnosed and treated.

He has successfully treated thousands of children and adults with both neurofeedback and psychotherapy. He has been a guest lecturer at various universities, been published in numerous publications and he has made many appearances on TV. He assisted in the development of the Network Injury Index; a revolutionary brain imaging tool that allows for the accurate assessment and tracking of concussion. He is actively involved in Gray Matters’ current research, developing improved technology for concussion baseline and post-injury assessment.

Anthony is the author of Making the Invisible Visible (available mid 2020), which describes how functional brain imaging radically changes our approach to diagnosis and treatment. He is also a contributing author in Dr. Audrey Paul’s 2020 book: Concussion – Your Game Plan to Recovery.

Anthony Silver:

“My goal with Gray Matters is to use neuroscience to transform the way we approach mental health. Modern brain imaging allows us to see and measure brain activity, revolutionizing the way we diagnose and treat mental health issues. Our mission is to use these tools to bring diagnosis and treatment into the 21st century; to make confident diagnoses based on measured brain function, rather than symptoms alone, and to improve brain function to make these diagnoses obsolete.

I am passionate about changing the narrative with mental disorders, especially with children. Too many children are labelled with a disorder, which then becomes part of their identity – and a statement of their limited potential. Our knowledge of neuroplasticity, and our ability to harness it as a force for change, makes such labelling outmoded. I am proud of our success in transforming the lives of thousands of children and adults, empowering them with the possibility of change.”

James Cooney

MS, LCSW

James Cooney holds a Master of Social Work Degree from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of experience in the treatment of addictive disorders. Other areas of clinical specialty include Marital and Couples therapy, the treatment of developmental trauma, anxiety and depressive disorders, ADHD, and anger management in adolescents and adults.

He is trained in Schema-Focused Cognitive Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy. He has provided clinical services in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric clinics, community health centers and in his private psychotherapy practice. He also currently provides supportive counseling services to psychiatrically compromised High School students in a local public-school system.

James entered the field of neurofeedback almost 20 years ago, working with the most experienced and pioneering clinicians throughout this time, honing his expertise as the field evolved. He has served as member of the Executive Board of the North East Regional Biofeedback Society and chaired their education committee. He is an active member of both the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback as well as the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research.

His current research interests include the use of Neurofeedback in the school setting to assist struggling learners and in assisting successful recovery for individuals with substance use disorders.

Corey Toby

MS, LCSW

Corey Toby is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a clinical focus on trauma, anxiety, depression, relational conflicts and life-transitions. He currently holds a Masters of Social Work from Columbia University with a concentration in Advanced Clinical Practice. He also is in pursuit to become a Board-Certified Neurofeedback Clinician having completed his 36-hour BCIA Didactic Course with Stress Therapy Solutions.

His expertise includes adapting Cognitive Behavior Therapy, along with trauma-informed practice to help clients heal from emotional pain, improve symptom reduction and increase total sense of well-being. He has worked with many adults, couples, adolescents, and families to identify and target underlying issues that cause disruptions within relationships, work, school and home. He is also eager to help clients experiencing spiritual declension through Christian Counseling, while remaining respectfully sensitive to clients no matter their religious or nonreligious background.

Corey has clinical experience providing psychotherapy in a number of mental health outpatient facilities, day and residential treatment centers, while collaborating with various treatment providers to increase greatest patient success outcomes. He joined the Gray Matters team in June 2019 and is currently accepting new clients in Westport, CT.

Alisa Pillai

LMSW

Alisa Pillai is a licensed master social worker with a degree from New York University. Her career as a social worker was predicated by her role teaching in New York City, working with children and young adults on the Autism Spectrum. Through her work in the school setting she decided to pursue social work after realizing she wanted to better serve families and the community outside of the school setting.

At NYU Alisa was accepted into the competitive Adaptive Leadership Fellowship Program where students learn how to bring needed change to organizations and communities. Alisa’s focus was on macro and non profit social work, and interned at the New York City Department of Education.

Alisa is a certified DIR Floortime practitioner, a specialized treatment for children with ASD, and trained in Dialectical & Cognitive Behavioral therapy. She has provided clinical services in both inpatient & outpatient settings, schools, and clinics throughout the tri-state area. She continues to be involved with Fast Feet NYC, a non-profit bringing athletics and health and wellness to the ASD community in NYC.

Alisa hopes to combine her knowledge and experience with the proven success of Neurofeedback and qEEG diagnostics, to better support the ASD community.

Jason Bouton

MS, ATC, CMS

Jason joins Gray Matters as an expert in sports medicine and published researcher on concussion. He serves as an adjunct professor at Sacred Heart University, where he teaches courses specific to the neuropathology of head and spine injuries. Jason is the founder of the Fairchester Sports Medicine Advisory Committee, sits on the Advisory Board of Pink Concussions, and serves on the board of the New England Private School Athletic Conference Sports Medicine Advisory Committee.

Jason started the first formal Concussion Management Programs in Connecticut. He has been involved in various aspects of concussion research, including the introduction of QEEG baselining for student athletes. Subsequent to his research, Jason published numerous papers on concussion, especially his work related to gender differences in sports-related concussions.

As an experienced QEEG and neurofeedback clinician, Jason plans to lead Gray Matters’ efforts related to QEEG and the athletic community.

Emma Hart

Emma Hart holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Connecticut. Her coursework focused on physiological psychology, developmental psychology, and abnormal psychology. Emma’s academic interests honed in on the intersection of neuroscience and the developing brain. While completing her undergraduate degree, she was accepted as a member of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology, and graduated as a UConn Babbidge scholar.

Emma has a background in researching the connection between family dynamics and personality. She plans to pursue post-graduate education in Mental Health Counseling, to advance her career using talk-therapy in conjunction with Neurofeedback to enhance therapeutic successes. She finds working with adolescents to be particularly rewarding, and joined Gray Matters in 2019 to begin her career working with clients.

Hope Burnaman

Hope Burnaman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cognitive Science from the University of Connecticut. Her main focuses in school were cognitive psychology, cognitive anthropology, and neuroscience. After graduation Hope joined the Peace Corps and lived in Madagascar as a health volunteer. She spent time working with the Malagasy communities, with a focus on their developmental and mental health.

With her return to the United States, Hope worked as a sensory motor and cognitive coach for Brain Balance. Hope joins Gray Matters to broaden her understanding of physiological psychology and as a neurofeedback clinician.

Oakley

Oakley is an aspiring therapy puppy, hoping to graduate top of his class (canus cum laude). Oakley loves everyone (especially children) and is often the first member of the team you will meet. When not licking faces, he is generally asleep.

Oakley’s hobbies include swimming, fetching balls and sticks, and sleeping. He is currently eating his first book.

Clinical Expertise

CBT is a short-term, goal-oriented psychotherapy treatment that takes a hands-on, practical approach to problem-solving. Its goal is to change patterns of thinking or behavior that are behind people’s difficulties, and so change the way they feel.

DBT is a type of cognitive behavioral therapy. Its main goals are to teach people how to live in the moment, cope healthily with stress, regulate emotions, and improve relationships with others.

Trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy or counseling that aims at addressing the needs of children and adolescents with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other difficulties related to traumatic life events. The goal of TF-CBT is to provide psychoeducation to both the child and caregivers and help them to identify and cope with emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Psychoeducation is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention for patients and their loved ones that provides information and support to better understanding and coping.

Schema-Focused Cognitive Therapy is an integrative approach to treatment that combines the best aspects of cognitive-behavioral, experiential, interpersonal and psychoanalytic therapies into one unified model.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is a short-term form of psychotherapy that helps you identify self-defeating thoughts and feelings, challenge the rationality of those feelings, and replace them with healthier, more productive beliefs. REBT focuses mostly on the present time to help you understand how unhealthy thoughts and beliefs create emotional distress which, in turn, leads to unhealthy actions and behaviors that interfere with your current life goals. Once identified and understood, negative thoughts and actions can be changed and replaced with more positive and productive behavior, allowing you to develop more successful personal and professional relationships.

Christina Eisinger

2021-03-29

I highly recommend Gray Matters as an alternative to traditional treatment for ADHD and Anxiety. The staff are incredibly kind, patient and empathetic. After receiving neurofeedback treatments, we have seen a dramatic reduction in both ADHD and Anxiety symptoms in my son. We found Gray Matters after trying all the traditional treatments with limited success. Neurofeedback has offers us the best result we could have asked for! Thank you Anthony and Alisa!

Eleanor Rowe

2021-02-15

True miracle work is done here. Anthony has not only helped me take on a new approach to mental and physical health, but has helped me in more ways than any person or medical team ever has. I have tried numerous medications, seen 5 Neurologists, naturopaths, acupuncture, chiropractors, you name it. Gray Matters gave me a fundamental piece of information, that being WHY I lived with chronic pain, depression, Anxiety, and ADHD. I have had about 20 sessions (and continuing) and have had significant relief from migraines, about 70% less! Gray Matters has helped me in more ways than I could possibly describe. I highly recommend this group of wonderful people. After MANY years of searching for relief, I feel I have found it in neurofeedback. Thank you Anthony & everyone else that has helped me as a young female in college to live a life without pain and overwhelming anxiety.

A Fennessey

2021-02-07

I am very impressed with Anthony Silver's professionalism, efficiency and empathy. My young son has been receiving therapy here and we have seen overall improvements in speech, motor skills, and anxiety. Anthony Silver created an individualized plan based off of an extremely thorough evaluation. His staff are kind and patient, especially Alisa. We are relieved to have found Gray Matters, especially after having a very disappointing and unprofessional experience at a different office in Ridgefield.

David Ruchman

2021-01-23

I owe a debt of gratitude to Anthony Silver and the dedicated team at Gray Matters. As someone who has struggled with chronic illness, I have sought out many traditional and alternative treatments to alleviate mood symptoms and brain fog. Neurofeedback therapy has been among the most effective. My time at Gray Matters has been a transformative experience and one of the most essential steps on my journey to full recovery. Over the last few months, I’ve seen a meaningful reduction in catastrophic thinking and an increase in mental acuity. Neurofeedback requires persistence and patience. You will begin to notice changes after 10-15 sessions. QEEG Brain Mapping allows you to precisely target your areas of concern. If you stick with the protocol, the rewards are noticeable and lasting. I highly encourage you to contact them.

Robin Pastore

2021-01-06

Very kind and compassionate. Outstanding.

Chris Tait

2020-12-01

Thank you Dr. Silver. Since participating in the program at Gray Matters, I have now been off all my medication and thinking clearly. I was on medication for over 20 years and so happy to be without now and feeling great!

Katie Liljedahl

2020-09-22

When I came to gray matters I was suffering from chronic migraines, anxiety, and debilitating fibromyalgia flare ups. Upon analyzing the images of my brain patterns, it was clear I was in constant fight or flight. The first change I noticed was that I was not having to call my doctor to refill my migraine meds early anymore. Over time they were happening less and less frequently and their severity was drastically decreasing as well. I also found that my nervous system was gaining equilibrium and I was not rapidly swinging from bouts of adrenaline and hyperarousal to fatigue and exhaustion. I began sleeping better and feeling clearer cognitively. The true test of the therapy, however, and what truly compels me to write this testimonial is what it has done for fibromyalgia pain. I have flare ups so bad it feels like three different people are hitting me with a baseball bat relentlessly while my muscles are literally on fire. It is mind blowing pain. After searching high and low for a decade for relief and trying out every single alternative and mainstream treatment known to man, I have found neurofeedback to be the only thing to end a flare up. The therapy also has decreased the frequency of flare ups altogether. Anyone who knows the hell of fibromyalgia can attest that relief is a god send and Gray Matters is like an angel to me in this regard. It has taken time and it is a process but the results are cumulative and real and I am beyond grateful to Anthony and the Gray Matters team.

J E

2019-11-20

I highly recommend. Anthony Silver of Gray Matters shares an extraordinary combination of scientific expertise with compassionate care. I came to Gray Matters for help with long term challenges of depression and anxiety. After an initial in-depth meeting and qEEG scan, a clear treatment plan was designed to address my specific condition. After a few neurofeedback sessions, I felt significant shifts and improvement. I am very thankful to Anthony and Emma, and look forward to continued growth and wellness.

Ellie Grosso

2019-01-02

My 10 year old daughter has been coming for neurofeedback for a little over 2 months. Prior to coming to Gray Matters-she had 60 sessions of neurofeedback with a different practitioner in a different office. Our sessions at Gray Matters are longer and we are doing them more often (3x/week instead of 2x/week). It would be impossible for me to overstate the effect it has had on my daughter and her ability to focus (she was diagnosed with ADHD & dyslexia) her self esteem, self confidence & positive feeling about school and, well, everything! At the risk of sounding overly dramatic-in this short period of time her life has transformed! She works with a math & reading tutor so that is helping too-but without the ability to focus it was extremely frustrating. Focus is the key. I am full with gratitude for having found Anthony & Lauren & can't speak highly enough of our entire experience. They are in the business of providing no less than-hope for the future. (in case you're wondering-I am not related in any way to Anthony and received no gifts or monetary incentive to write this review-it's the real thing!!!)