Neurofeedback (NFB) is a form of therapeutic neuromodulation that involves learning to optimize brain function. “Neuromodulation uses real-time information from the brain to promote stabilization in neural activity, promoting self-regulation” by the International Society of Neuromodulation and Research. (1) NFB can be a powerful tool for managing ADHD, anxiety, trauma, autism spectrum disorders, sleep disorders, and other mental health challenges by rewiring your brain to develop healthier processes.
At Heritage Counseling, our mission is to optimize your mental health journey with advanced neurofeedback intervention, ensure you understand what to expect, and answer common questions about the process. In this blog, we will address 10 common questions about Neurofeedback so you can learn more about the process and see if it might be the right approach for you.
1. What Is Neurofeedback, and How Does It Work?
Answer: Neurofeedback is a minimally invasive therapy that reinforces real-time brain activity (EEG) to guide your brain toward healthier electrical patterns. Similar to EKG, which records electrical output for the heart, EEG records electrical activity in the brain. During a session, small sensors are placed on your scalp to monitor brainwave activity while you watch a TV show or movie. With gentle prompts, like visual feedback in the TV show (screen zooming and grayscale), your brain learns to adjust to the requested patterns during the session, promoting a calm and focused state. With consistent training over time, the brain cultivates the desired patterns as its own, thereby maintaining a calm and focused state for many years to come!
2. What is a qEEG assessment? How does it play a role in the Neurofeedback process?
Answer: qEEG, or quantitative electroencephalograph, is a brain wave recording. This assessment provides information about brainwave activity across the cortex (frontal lobe, parietal lobe, temporal lobe, and occipital lobe) as well as subcortical activity. This information is used to better understand how a brain is functioning. We use qEEG data to determine which areas of the brain to train and which brain wave frequencies to target for regulation. At Heritage Counseling, we begin the Neurofeedback process with an initial qEEG assessment. After about 10-12 Neurofeedback training sessions, we record a second qEEG to analyze how the brain has progressed.
Before coming into your qEEG appointment:
We ask clients to discuss their psychotropic medications with the Neurofeedback provider during the consultation appointment. Depending on your medication, there is a possibility we can schedule your recording before your medication intake for the day.
The client will be scheduled for a 90-minute appointment, which will include:
A discussion between the provider and the client (and/or parents of the client)
The provider will set up the cap
We record the qEEG using a cap, similar to a water polo cap, that has 19 embedded sensors. Using a blunt-tipped syringe, cool gel will be dispensed into each sensor. Note: nothing will be piercing the scalp or going into the cranium.
Please note: clients will have some gel left over in their hair after this appointment. We encourage clients to plan the remainder of their day accordingly.
10-15 minute recording with eyes closed in a relaxing environment
10-15 minute recording with eyes open in a relaxing environment
After your qEEG appointment:
A 50-minute appointment will be scheduled with your Neurofeedback Provider and the Director of Neurofeedback to review your findings or brain maps.
An extensive written report will be provided after your review.
3. What Should I Expect After a Neurofeedback Session?
Answer: Neurofeedback can be understood as a “workout” for your brain. Similar to the way you feel tired after reading a dense book, clients may experience fatigue immediately after a Neurofeedback session.
It is also common to experience cognitive clarity for hours after a session; similar to the mood boost or “zen” promoted after a yoga class.
On the evening of a training session, clients will likely have a longer deep sleep. The nervous system urges quality recovery after exerting energy during the Neurofeedback session.
The morning after a session, it is common for individuals to wake up in a better mood and with enhanced focus and attention.
These changes can be gradual, as Neurofeedback relies on the brain’s natural ability to adapt and create new pathways.
Quick Tips:
Don’t expect immediate, drastic changes; think of it as brain training over time.
Your nervous system works very hard during Neurofeedback sessions. After a session, drink plenty of water and allow yourself a bit of downtime if possible. It will benefit you to practice good sleep hygiene, hydrate, and limit screen time to optimize each Neurofeedback session.
4. What kind of mental health issues does Neurofeedback help with?
Answer: Neurofeedback is an effective tool for addressing a wide range of mental health issues. By training the brain to regulate its functioning, Neurofeedback helps improve emotional regulation, focus and attention, and overall cognitive clarity.
Common mental health issues that Neurofeedback can help with include:
ADHD/ADD
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma
Insomnia and sleep disorders
Panic
Memory and cognitive clarity
Migraines
5. When Will I See Noticeable Changes?
Answer: Neurofeedback is a tool using experiential learning (“learn by doing”) to regulate cerebral activity. For this reason, results are gradual and build over time. Many clients report noticeable improvements within 5-10 sessions, though some may experience subtle shifts sooner. Everyone’s brain responds differently, so consistency and patience are key.
6. How Can I Optimize My Neurofeedback Results Outside of Sessions?
Answer: To support your progress, adopting healthy habits outside the clinic is highly recommended. Here are a few tips:
Prioritize Sleep: Aim for quality sleep per night to help your brain rest and process the work done in each neurofeedback session. To ensure quality sleep: limit screen time (especially in the evenings) and the consumption of caffeine.
Stay Active: Regular exercise can further improve brain flexibility, thereby improving responsiveness to neurofeedback.
Central Nervous System (CNS) Stimulants and Depressants: Caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, and illicit drugs can interfere with brain wave activity. Having an open conversation about your regular habits with your Neurofeedback provider will ensure a better outcome for the Neurofeedback training process.
Practice Mindfulness: Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or mindfulness exercises can reinforce the relaxation and focus goals of neurofeedback. Research in the field demonstrates the direct benefits of breathwork on brainwave functioning.
7. What Happens If I Miss a Session?
Answer: While consistent sessions are ideal, missing one occasionally won’t derail your progress. We encourage rescheduling missed sessions within the same week to maintain progress in your training. We ask for clients not to miss two weeks of consistent training, as it is possible the brain can lose the progress it has gained. We encourage clients to let their NFB providers know ahead of time if they might be traveling or anticipate missing sessions; remote Neurofeedback is a great option for some protocols.
8. Can Neurofeedback Be Combined with Other Therapies?
Answer: Yes, Neurofeedback can be an excellent complement to other therapeutic approaches, like talk therapy and play therapy. While the organ of the brain regulates in Neurofeedback, the work done with your therapist on coping strategies or addressing cognitive patterns can progress efficiently with more ease. The combination of both treatments has been shown to enhance overall mental health and wellness.
9. Will Neurofeedback Provide Long-Term Benefits?
Answer: Once the client has reached a state of “maintenance” when the client has adopted the desired EEG patterns from session to session, we conclude the course of treatment. At this point, research in the field suggests the brain maintains the learned patterns for many years. However, maintaining results may also depend on the abuse of illicit substances, major psychotropic medication change, and traumatic head injury. Clients sometimes prefer to come in for occasional “booster” sessions.
10. Is Neurofeedback Right for Me?
Answer: Neurofeedback is beneficial for many, but results vary depending on individual needs and brain patterns. Our team at Heritage Counseling can assess your history and brain wave recording to recommend if Neurofeedback will be a helpful intervention for you.
In conclusion, Neurofeedback is an effective non-invasive intervention that helps individuals regulate brain activity to improve their mental health. It has been shown to be beneficial for a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression, ADHD, sleep disorders, trauma, and more. Through a personalized process of monitoring and training brain wave activity, Neurofeedback helps optimize brain functioning.
If you are interested in learning more about Neurofeedback and if it might be a helpful intervention for you, we encourage you to reach out to Heritage Counseling at 214-363-2345 to schedule a complimentary consultation with our Director of Neurofeedback. We’re here to help guide you on your journey to improved mental wellness.
Sources:
International Neuromodulation Society. Welcome to the International Neuromodulation Society. www.neuromodulation.com. Accessed Dec. 21, 2016
