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Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback that changes the way the brain functions. It appears to do so more effectively that medication, therapy, exercise or any other form of personal change work.

NeuroplasticityIn a very real sense, Neurofeedback is exercise for the Brain! And not just any exercise…but very specific, focused training that reshapes the way the brain functions.

Neurofeedback, also called EEG Biofeedback is a state-of-the-art, non-invasive method for teaching the brain to function in a more balanced, relaxed and efficient manner. In reality, this creates a healthier brain. The EEG training does this ‘magic’ by giving the brain feedback in very rapid, precise ways.

When the brain isn’t working well, we can experience a wide range of symptoms, from anxiety, distractibility, hyperactivity, depression, brain fog, OCD or worry. Physically, we can get headaches, migraines, seizures, body tension and have sleep problems as well. Rather than talking about issues or problems, or taking medications, Neurofeedback takes a more direct approach (and does so much more effectively).

Here’s a bit of ‘geek’ talk for those of you who might be interested. Electrical impulses in the brain are broken into four major divisions; Delta, Theta, Alpha and Beta (called “Frequency Bands”). These Frequency Bands are measured in 20 locations across the head. Each band is changing continuously, but not randomly. There are clear patterns that quickly emerge, and these tell us which parts of your brain are active, how well parts are communicating together and how efficient the brain is in any particular area. These patterns correlate to various psychological and physical symptoms and point to weaknesses and strengths for each of us.

Certain patterns of these frequency bands should be active for specific activities. For instance, when we are balancing our checkbooks or in a class following directions, certain areas of our brain will need to be active and using the faster frequency called Beta. On the other hand, if after a long day we wish to relax and wind down, a different part of the brain will need to be activated using the slower brainwave frequency called Alpha. When we visualize something in our mind, another specific set of patterns emerge. These are only a few examples.

The goal of Neurofeedback is to improve the brain’s ability to self-regulate, maintain flexibility, and smoothly shift between states of relaxation, focused effort, planning, brainstorming or creating. Since your brain also controls attention, focus, creativity, awareness, attitude, emotions, memory and… well, EVERYTHING…when we bring the brain into smooth harmony with itself, the entire Central Nervous System returns to normal functioning.

More on What is Neurofeedback

Simply put, neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback. But what is biofeedback? Biofeedback is a process of taking a signal imperceptible to us as humans, typically an electrical impulse, and using electronic equipment and an amplifier to amplify this signal that lies below the level of awareness for most of us. Once we are able to read the signal, we provide feedback to the person receiving the biofeedback or neurofeedback.

For example, if we want a brain wave to grow stronger, we provide a biofeedback signal every time that wave gets a bit stronger. The same process applies if we want that brain wave to be weaker. 

So, in essence, biofeedback is a very organic, natural process in that nothing invasive is done to the brain or body. That’s why it has a very low risk compared to medications or almost any other form of treatment. With neurofeedback, we can only reward the brain for a state that it has already achieved. This is important to understand because we are not forcing it into any particular state. So, for example, if we have a very high theta wave, as is often the case with anxiety or ADD, we can use neurofeedback to bring theta down, often in remarkable ways.

When such an elevated brain wave fluctuates and comes down a tiny amount, the individual receiving neurofeedback gets a reward signal in the form of a reward tone or increasing brightness. There’s no real conscious effort required. As you sit and absorb the feedback, the learning occurs unconsciously, and your brain becomes more neuroplastic, more flexible, learns, expands, and grows.

We have seen this result in hundreds of studies over the past 40-45 years, to the point that neurofeedback has recently been categorized as a level four or five treatment. Level five is the highest level of treatment possible in the world of mental health, used for anxiety, depression, and many forms of ADD and ADHD. Hundreds of studies with no reported side effects have proved its remarkable effectiveness. 

The bottom line is that we are giving the individual receiving neurofeedback a very precise feedback signal when that brain moves in a desirable, healthier direction. Done repeatedly over time, we can completely change the trajectory of an individual’s brain wave patterns. When these brain waves change, patterns of dysfunction, whether cognitive, emotional or behavioral, shift dramatically overtime.

With Neurofeedback?

you/your child can make changes to your life…that have not been conceivable before this technology evolved.

Now, with EEG Neurofeedback It’s Possible to:

  • Retrain symptoms of ADHD/ADD
  • Resolve the causes of lifelong depression
  • Eliminate anxiety, worry, phobias & OCD
  • Abandon the psychological weight of trauma/abuse
  • Get relief from migraines and insomnia
  • Change the life trajectory for autism/spectrum disorders
  • Discover stillness, ease & calm from a well-functioning mind
  • Gain more control over disturbing thoughts or memories
  • Eliminate fatigue, brain fog, and bad habits

Yes, it seems like a lot! But these assertions are well-founded in a growing literature base filled with clinical experience that often exceeds any standard set of expectations about what is possible.

And because you are re-programming the brain to work better and more efficiently, the changes last. Study after study shows long-term, enduring positive results from EEG training that often keep improving and get better over time, rather than decline. This can only be happening because EEG Neurofeedback is training the brain to be more effective in getting what we humans want (i.e., relief from our struggles and more ease/calm/happiness in our lives). Once a brain is trained in this way, it often keeps learning and improving (although not always, of course).

Is this just for adults? No! This training works with children and teens alike. Learn more about this state-of-the-art technology now available to you and your family, by exploring our website and informational videos we have posted. Or call our offices, at 518-383-0600.

This is your hub for all the neurofeedback information you need. We have a wide range of neurofeedback information broken down into easy-to-read sections so you can find the information you want faster:

Frequently Asked Questions, Media Articles, Journal Research, Conditions Treated, and Services Offered.

If you have any questions that aren’t covered on our website feel free to Contact us.

Get answers from our neurofeedback’s frequently asked questions about its basic concepts, costs and reimbursement, background… Read More »

To view our list of Media Articles, Click Here »

View extensive research on the field of neurofeedback. Learn the science behind what makes neurofeedback effective and how it relates to you. Read More »

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ADHD

Attention Deficit
Disorder is actually an
aggregate of…
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Anxiety

Individuals with
anxiety have a
chronically hyperarousal…
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Depression

What psychologists
refer to as depression is seen more as an end stage…
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NFB Training at Home

Recent innovations
allow you to train your brain
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“What the Experts Say About Neurofeedback”

"Showing clients the physiological patterns underlying their pain is difficult or impossible to do without biofeedback. How else can clients see the patterns change as they happen? This makes biofeedback a superb teaching and learning tool."
Richard A. Sherman, Ph.D.Lieutenant Colonel, Medical Service
"People seek our services when they don’t want to be taking medications or exposing their offspring to any unknown risks or side effects from same. The clinic is extremely busy, because we are successful in reducing the symptoms… without creating unwanted side effects. [with Neurofeedback]"
Stuart Donaldson Ph.D., ACFE (Dip), ABPS (Dip), ABDA, BCBPsychologist and Clinic Director
"I have found that neurofeedback has been very effective in my practice in treating ADHD, learning disabilities, dyslexia and closed head injury… There is solid scientific support for neurofeedback treatment of these disorders."
Jonathan E. Walker, M.D., BCNBoard-Certified Neurologist Neurotherapy Center of Dallas, Inc.
"Neurofeedback training allows participants to self-regulate their own brain response. (…) subjects receive instant feedback regarding potentially pathological brain processes, hypothesized to aid in shaping one’s own brain activation in a desired direction, and thereby improving symptoms."
A. Zilverstand & R. GoldsteinProgress in Brain Research
"After years of clinical experience with persons with disabilities and chronic illness, I can unequivocally support the growing body of well-designed research on biofeedback that demonstrates the improved patient outcomes that accrue when an appropriate form of self-regulation training is added to a treatment regimen."
Eugenia Bodenhamer-Davis, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, BCNAssociate Professor, University of North Texas
"An assessment of over 25 years of peer reviewed research demonstrat[ed] impressive EEG and clinical results achieved with the most difficult subset of seizure patients."
Dr. Barry StermanPh.D. in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of California Los Angeles
"Biofeedback and neurofeedback offer a wide range of approaches to help the client suffering from any one of a number of consequences of stress and autonomic and physiological dysregulation."
Stephen Sideroff, Ph.D.Clinical Psychologist
"In my practice, the use of EEG biofeedback has become the primary initial intervention model for any problems in cognition, such as learning disability, attention deficit disorder, and traumatic brain injury. The approach offers the only effective intervention model for these problems."
Kirtley Thornton, Ph.D., BCNDirector of the Center for Health Psychology QEEG Diplomate
"Overall, these findings support the use of multi-modal treatment, including medication, parent/school counseling, and Neurofeedback, in the long-term management of ADHD, and a sustained effect even without stimulant treatment (…) The therapy most promising by recent clinical trials appears to be neurofeedback."
Dr. Katie Campbell DaleyChildren’s Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School
"Neurofeedback training is a powerful and effective tool to combat symptoms associated with PTSD. We see results every day for our patients who are struggling with the debilitating symptoms of PTSD, including sleep problems, pain, irritability, anger and rage, and drug, alcohol, and tobacco dependency."
Dr. Siegfried OthmerHomecoming for Veterans Board Chair
"Literature now suggests that neurofeedback should play a major therapeutic role in many difficult areas. In my opinion, if any medication had demonstrated such a wide spectrum of efficacy, it would be universally accepted and widely used"
Frank Duffy, M.D. DirectorPediatric Neurologist Harvard Medical School
"Neurofeedback treatment for many disorders such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, seizures, and others has been shown to be highly effective with long-term lasting results. There are hundreds of published studies and several books demonstrating this."
Joel F. Lubar Ph.D., BCNProfessor Emeritus University of Tennessee