Breathtaking advances in technology are changing the way healthcare providers and consumers are partnering in the process of supporting the brain-body’s ability to find its way back to optimal health and well being.

Neurofeedback is an FDA cleared brain biofeedback system that tracks the brainwaves (EEG) and sends tiny, imperceptible, ultra-low power signals—“whispers”—that enter the cortex and deeper structures of the brain through electrodes attached to the head.

This process establishes a conversation with the brain that supports it’s built-in ability to begin to correct the dysregulation created by:

The brain’s response to this new input causes a tiny fluctuation in brainwave patterns and enables the brain to begin to release the stuck patterns. It’s like rebooting a frozen computer.

Direct Neurofeedback

Direct Neurofeedback “dis-entrains” the brain from unhealthy stuck pathways. Clients don’t do anything other than sit still, with eyes closed, for about 30 minutes. That brief, tiny signal to the brain does all the work. My colleague Dr. David Dubin, MD is the creator of the Clarity Direct Neurofeedback system. My clients and I have found this system to be effective and incredibly easy to use. Dr. Dubin's website contains information and videos that will provide you with a far greater understanding of the power of Neurofeedback.      

Clients generally notice changes either immediately or within the first few sessions. Most of my clients report that they feel very relaxed. I ask them at the beginning of our session to rate their symptom—ie. anxiety— on a scale of 0 - 10.  Often, they report that it is at least 8, if not a 12!  At the end of their neurofeedback treatment, they often report a 50% reduction in their symptom. Immediate results, fewer and shorter sessions, and the ease and simplicity of treatment all distinguish Direct Neurofeedback from traditional neurofeedback.

Direct Neurofeedback initiates a positive feedback loop with the brain. The electrical activity from the brain determines what signal goes back to the brain. This signal causes a change in the brainwaves. This change in brainwaves then causes a change in the signal going back to the brain. The brain and the system engage in a lively conversation that results in the reduction or elimination of symptoms.  

In general, it requires 10 - 20 sessions for symptom reduction to become stable.  When the injury or diagnosis is longstanding, it may require several more sessions. 

Traditional Neurofeedback

With Traditional Neurofeedback, brainwaves are transmitted to a computer screen. No signals are sent back to the brain and clients attempt to train their brainwaves. Sessions typically last longer (45–60 minutes) and require about 30–40 sessions before results are noted.

Research

Studies have shown that neurofeedback results in improvements in attention, impulsivity, mood, anxiety, memory, and learning. To learn more about these studies, please refer to the International Society of Neurofeedback & Research and The Northeast Region Biofeedback Society for a database of articles. 

For a more detailed overview of neurofeedback, its potential risks and benefits, please download D. Corydon Hammond's "What is Neurofeedback: An Update" article.