Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback is an innovative non-pharmacological treatment for a variety of psychological disorders. Below you can find answers to many of your questions regarding neurofeedback, as well as additional resources and forms. You can download a general neurofeedback brochure or a ADHD/Learning Disabilities brochure for complete information. Please contact us with any additional questions you may have.
What is Neurofeedback?
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Neurofeedback, also known as Neurotherapy and EEG Biofeedback, utilizes learning strategies (i.e., operate conditioning) to teach a patient to control his or her brain wave patterns. Through the use of specialized computer software and EEG technology, a patient’s brainwaves are represented visually (visual feedback) on a computer monitor along with a pleasant tone (auditory feedback). By learning new brainwave patterns patients significantly decrease symptoms of ADD, ADHD, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, etc. Often, neurofeedback is utilized along with psychotherapy.

Consider a person learning to catch a ball. The key to the person learning this skill is that he or she receives immediate visual, auditory and tactile-feedback. This feedback, along with practice, results in the individual becoming better and better at catching a ball. We often wish that training our brain to do things like concentrating while reading and remaining more focused on a task, could be as easy as learning to catch a ball. With neurofeedback, “training your brain” can be almost that easy. Neurofeedback makes use of physiological signals “big enough” for us to be aware of it. By making us aware of the changes in various physiological responses, neurofeedback enables us to gain control over the physiological responses which may have a negative impact on our day-to-day lives. With “practice,” (repeated neurofeedback sessions) we can often reduce medication with your physician’s approval, perform tasks that were once frustrating and discouraging, reduce anxiety and depression, and achieve peak performance levels on the athletic field, in the classroom, and at work.

How is Neurofeedback Performed?

neurofeedback Each session begins with the placement of a few electrodes on the scalp – with gel and a comfortable headband. These electrodes are, in turn, attached to an EEG computer system which has a video monitor and sound capability. Through a special computer software program, brainwave patterns are quickly represented on the computer system. The patterns seen and heard are brainwaves–moving graphs (or for children and adolescents, game figures) of various colors and peaks and valleys. Sometimes the peaks and valleys vary in height, in width, and in their tones. These pattern variations become the critical feedback that allows us to learn how to control the production of our brainwaves (e.g., learning to catch a ball). The mind can be trained to recognize brain states (or conditions) and regulate itself if given this immediate feedback about what is happening. Once a person becomes familiar with the process, EEG Biofeedback is very much like playing a computer game. Some people need more “practice” to learn to control their brain patterns. As a result, the number of sessions required to achieve the desired results will vary. As a reference point, the ability to control and sustain new EEG patterns is rarely achieved in less than thirty, 50-minute sessions; however, most will begin to see evidence of progress much sooner.

What  Does Neurofeedback Treat?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Learning Disabilities

Substance Abuse

Other Commonly Treated Disorders

Peak Performance Training