Our Process
1. Consult Call
On a free 30-minute call, we’ll talk about the symptoms you or your child are experiencing, and how neurofeedback might be able to help. I bring my experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor, my board certification in neurofeedback, and my compassionate ear to these conversations. My goal is to understand your unique situation and figure out if brain training would be an effective tool for you.
2. Brain Map
The next step is to complete a Brain Map. At this in-person appointment, I will complete a Quantitative Electroencephalogram (QEEG) assessment, which analyzes brainwave patterns.
We conduct the brain map by placing a snug cap on the head. Embedded within the cap are 19 small sensors that measure and record electrical activity (aka brainwaves) coming from the brain. These sensors do not put any electrical current into the brain, but simply record signals coming from the brain. This procedure is completely painless and non-invasive.
I’ll immediately generate an in-depth report that charts how the brainwaves are functioning and shows any divergences from the “norm.” I’ll walk you through your report, helping you understand exactly what it says, and correlating brainwave imbalances to symptoms you are experiencing. I’ll answer your questions, and we’ll talk more about your brain-training protocol.
3. At-Home Brain Training
Based on the qEEG Brain Map and presenting symptoms, I will design a custom training protocol. After one initial setup meeting, you’ll be able to train in your own home, on your own schedule.
The sessions themselves are easy and fun! You’ll attach a few sensors to the head, which are connected to your computer via a neurofeedback machine which I provide to you. Again, these sensors simply record what is going on; training is completely painless and non-invasive.
Then, you put on a favorite TV show or movie. The software automatically monitors your brainwaves, and as they move in an orderly direction, the content becomes clear and audible. If brainwave patterns move away from an orderly pattern, then the movie becomes dimmer and quieter. The brightness and loudness of the movie are actually controlled by the brain, and by doing so, the brain learns how to regulate itself.
Sessions take approximately 45 minutes including the training, set up, and clean up, and you’ll be able to train up to 12 times per month (roughly 3x/week).
In addition to your at-home training sessions, you’ll have the option to meet with me once a month for a check in and support call. On this call, I’ll be excited to hear about how training is going, and we can adjust the protocol based on progress and symptoms. I’m always available to you to answer any questions over the course of the protocol.
Maintenance
Most people begin to notice changes after just a few sessions, but in some cases, major benefits take several weeks to become visible. Literature suggests that a minimum of about 30 sessions are needed to create lasting change, but I have found that most clients do best when they train consistently for 8-12 months. This length of time allows the brain to solidify new, healthy brainwave patterns.
Literature and practice suggest that the positive effects of neurofeedback last over time. However, the brain is always changing, many clients find it helpful to continue their training on an ongoing basis to keep their brains in tip-top shape. Other clients end their regular training but seek “tune-up” sessions after a health incident, psychological trauma, or whenever they feel that their brains would benefit from extra support.
As you approach the one-year mark of training, I will help you decide the best path forward!