Neurofeedback is for individuals who

• Are looking for an alternative to medication
• Have not responded well to traditional treatment approaches
• Would benefit from this form of treatment as an adjunct to psychotherapy

Are interested in increasing healthy brain function and promoting relaxation in the brain, which reduces stress and promotes efficiency, including improved attention and cognitive functioning.

• Observing the brain to gather individuals’ unique information that relates to symptoms they are having or improvements they wish to make
• Creating an individualized training program to target underlying neurophysiological factors affecting the symptoms
• Changing brain wave patterns to improve functioning by using visual and auditory feedback (which may include tones, music, games, and movies), that respond whenever the client’s brain alters its patterns to match the objectives.
• Working with the client as functioning improves, providing emotional support and cognitive tools that help to complete the process of recovery, healing, or enhanced performance

 For professionals seeking on-going education and information about the brain and advances in training, equipment or software, STS offers comprehensive training and neurofeedback certification workshops presented by experienced professionals. Workshops are held in various locations worldwide, and offer Biofeedback Certification International Alliance certification and APA CEUs. Online courses, webinars, mentoring, and in-service training are also available.

Many individuals do not respond well to medications or prefer not to take them because of problems with efficacy, side effects, or other factors. For most clients, involvement in a clinical setting where neurofeedback is an adjunct to traditional services provides clients with emotional and cognitive support to facilitate change. Because neurofeedback can create positive changes at the source of the problems in the brain, clients usually notice benefits more quickly than with traditional treatments alone.

Here are 8 solid reasons some clinicians have chosen neurofeedback: 

1. The patient needs more help than medications and psychotherapy can offer.

Most experienced clinicians are well aware of the limitations of medications and psychotherapy. But what are their options?

Neurofeedback, also known as neurotherapy is not strange, and it’s not new. Few clinicians are aware of neurotherapy and how far it has advanced. Once they hear about it and start to look into it further, they will often say that it made sense to offer it to their clients. That’s true for even very conservative professionals. They just have to be willing to jump in. Most clinicians who adopt neurotherapy already have 15 to 20 years or more of experience. It’s clearly not the young clinicians who pick it up first. It seems experienced clinicians are more acutely aware of the limits of medications and psychotherapy.

 2.  Clients are demanding an alternative to medications.

Doctors and parents are often concerned about the side effects and long-term consequences that medications have on children. Parents and patients push for alternatives that work. When they learn about neurotherapy, they’re often more open and interested initially than many clinicians.

3. It makes sense to self-regulate the brain.

Many clinicians claim that the idea that you can train the brain and improve self-regulation through neurotherapy simply makes sense. So how does a clinician help the client change the brain? Meditation, yoga, or deep breathing sometimes help. But many of the problems patients bring need supplemental interventions. Neurotherapy helps an individual learn to regulate their brain by increasing certain activity and decreasing other activity.

 4.  The neurophysiology is compelling.

Some clinicians are unconvinced or very cautious as they look into neurotherapy. However, once they attend a very good course that makes the neurophysiology understandable, it can be an “a-ha” moment. (Note – this isn’t simple stuff and it takes some effort to get it). When someone changes their EEG you are by definition changing activation and timing patterns. These affect many pathways and feedback loops in the brain. When you start to understand such mechanisms, neurotherapy becomes more compelling.

 5. Symptoms improve quickly.

Seeing someone experience a change rapidly that cannot be explained any other way never fails to amaze. The brain can shift states very quickly. As an example, in many training courses we’ve observed, by the end of several days of training, 80+% of attendees have noticed clear, significant changes in state. Changes influence sleep, mood, alertness, or attention. For some clients, changes – often quite unexpected changes – occur in minutes. Experienced clinicians quickly note these unexpected changes cannot be placebo, and can only be explained by the training. NOTE: Ten or more training sessions, depending on the severity of the client’s condition, are needed before any short-term transitory changes can be expected to hold.

 6. The research is impressive.

Though the “lack of research” or its limitations are often cited, that’s usually from people who haven’t read much of it. When clinicians read enough of the research and look at some outcome studies, particularly with ADD, depression anxiety, and addictions, it’s very hard to dismiss. Neurofeedback is evidence-based. The size of the clinical effect is impressive, compared, for example, to the minimal effects you see in many studies on medications.

 7. Other clinicians recommend neurotherapy.

Clinicians will often look into neurotherapy after hearing another clinician talk about its success and impact. Providers who are experienced in neurofeedback can offer some excellent clinical insights.

8. Family, friend, or patient who has experienced neurotherapy recommend it.

Many clinicians enter this field because someone they have personally met has experienced a success that was simply too life-changing to dismiss. It could be chronic depression that’s no longer chronic. Or perhaps a very out-of-control child who has settled down and is making great grades. But what’s especially compelling about neurotherapy successes is that the changes tend to sustain over time. How many alternative treatments see changes sustain two, four, or five years later?

Copy adapted from and used with permission of www.aboutneurofeedback.com

Insurance reimbursement varies from state to state. When it’s covered (as a modality of biofeedback), it is often included with counseling in the session. Typically the training takes about 20-30 minutes.

Charges for neurofeedback vary considerably depending on location and demographics of practices. In urban areas, prices usually range from $125-$150 per session. In less affluent areas, providers may charge $60 to $100 per session.

Certification is rapidly becoming the professional standard and lets clients know the neurotherapist has met the stringent criteria for BCIA certification. CLICK HERE for more information about certification.

Some conditions require either advanced, specialized training and/or working closely with an experienced neurofeedback professional. These include Epilepsy, Personality Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depression, and Psychotic Disorders.

While there are many different choices for neurofeedback equipment, StressTherapy Solutions instructors have chosen BrainMaster Technologies equipment as their equipment of choice and use it at StressTherapy Solutions workshops.

 For BrainMaster you will need three things:

• A Windows-based laptop computer with a fast processor and a good video card (click here for a complete list of necessary specifications for the laptop) LINK NEEDS to be UPDATED
• A neurofeedback amplifier system with 2, 4, or 19 channels
• Software to process the brainwave data coming from the sensors and amplifier

Many people learn more about how to use this equipment at a Neurofeedback Bootcamp for Beginners workshop. BrainMaster does not sell the laptop computer; the cost of the professional neurofeedback system and software starts at approximately $1700 [IS THIS CURRENT?]. Find out more about the BrainMaster systems by clicking on a link below.

• Atlantis I (4 channels)
• Atlantis II (2 channels)
• Discovery 24E (20 channels)

Do you want to include the Freedom?

BCIA currently requires a state-issued license in a health care field if you will be treating medical or psychological disorders. Unlicensed professionals may work under an appropriately credentialed professional (health care license plus knowledge & experience with using neurofeedback to treat disorders in their specialties). An exception is for professionals working only with “peak performance.”

 BCIA now offers Technician Certification for individuals with who are working for a licensed and BCIA certified professional who takes legal responsibility for their work. Currently, this certification is offered only for those who are working in the US and Canada. See the BCIA website for more information. https://www.bcia.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3431

BrainMaster equipment and training is only available to licensed clinical professionals and to universities for research. If you have any questions about this policy, please call us at (440) 232-6000 ext 200 or 201. [ANY CHANGES TO THIS?]

Yes, ongoing support is available via email or phone. We also maintain an extensive online knowledge base of helpful articles. Sign up for the BrainMaster listservs [ADD LINKS?] to communicate with other neurofeedback professionals. Mentoring, webinars, workshops and in-service trainings are also available.

GNI Neurofeedback Bootcamp for Beginners is a good place to start, and it’s also the first step toward BCIA certification as a neurofeedback professional.

• Click here for schedule