Neurofeedback Therapy 101
So you want to offer more than just counseling...
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive treatment approved by the FDA. It aims to help individuals better regulate their brain activity by working on the electrical patterns that lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia, OCD, ADD/ADHD and more.
During a neurofeedback session, sensors are placed on the scalp to monitor brainwave patterns. These brainwaves represent the electrical activity in different regions of the brain.
When the brain produces patterns associated with focus, relaxation, or other desirable states, the individual receives positive feedback in the form of visual or auditory cues.
This feedback helps the brain recognize its own activity and encourages the production of healthier patterns. Over time, with consistent training, the brain learns to regulate itself more effectively, leading to improved mental well-being.
In simpler terms, neurofeedback is like a brain workout that teaches your brain to reach it’s optimal patterns of functioning and let go of old, stuck patterns that contribute to negative mental health symptoms.
By providing feedback when your brain is doing well, it learns to maintain those positive states on its own, helping you feel more focused, calm, and better equipped to handle everyday challenges.
Who is the ideal candidate for neurofeedback?
Who is a Good Fit for Neurofeedback
Who is Not a Good Fit for Neurofeedback
Individuals with ADHD or attention issues who are ready to own their symptoms and create new behaviors
People experiencing anxiety or stress
Those seeking improved focus and concentration
Individuals with sleep disturbances
Those dealing with emotional regulation difficulties (potentially due to previous trauma)
People looking to enhance cognitive performance and reach their peak potential
Those who want to “fix” ADD/ADHD with medication alone and not address the root cause
Those who are not willing to actively work on calming their nervous system while neurofeedback does it’s job on your brain on the back end
Those in active addiction who are not seeking treatment and 100% committed to behavioral change
Individuals who want a “quick fix”
Individuals with certain psychiatric disorders requiring immediate intervention
Those unwilling or unable to commit to regular neurofeedback sessions
Individuals with mild to moderate depression
Those recovering from traumatic brain injuries
Those who don’t want to learn the technology (we’ll teach you all you need to know!) and want someone to run their sessions in person
Individuals with unrealistic expectations or looking for a quick fix
How often do I train?
We recommend you train four times a week for 20-30 minute sessions on a three month program,
This frequency is proven to offer enough repetition that the brain can learn new patterns quickly while also not overtraining the brain and risking dysregulation such as headaches, agitation and more .
However, each brain is unique and your clinician will adjust your protocols, training frequency and other details as needed based on your responsiveness.
Are you stimulating my brain?
While there are technologies that are high effective involving brain stimulation (MERT, TMS, etc) neurofeedback DOES NOT stimulate the brain.
Neurofeedback is a simple response and reward system that is highly effective, safe and can be trained on any age and cognitive level with high success rates if completed correctly.
How will I know what my brain is doing?
You will have 2 and 4 week check ins with your coach. At the end of each month, your clinician will have you complete a symptom tracker so you can let us know how your goals are progressing and they'll send you an email with an update on how your brain is doing on the back end.
Are there side effects?
Neurofeedback has few side effects and is a safe modality for individuals of most ages. Sometimes, a client may experience brief sleep disruption, minor aggitation or a minor headache as their brain acclimates to training.
​
Most clients find training to be soothing and enjoy attending sessions.