Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback is a type of therapy that uses real-time measurements of brain activity to teach self-regulation of brain function. While watching a movie or listening to music, our technology trains your brain with immediate reinforcement (ex., the screen gets brighter or dimmer). That change based on your brain's activity. The aim here is to guide your brain towards more optimal patterns of functioning.
The first session is a brain map, which is a visual representation of the electrical activity of the brain, capturing the unique patterns of your brain waves. By comparing your brain map to a database of normal brainwave patterns, we can identify areas of irregularities or dysregulation that may be linked to specific symptoms or conditions. This information then guides the design of your personalized neurofeedback therapy plan, targeting those areas and brainwave patterns for improvement.
During training sessions, sensors are placed on your scalp that monitor your brain waves. This isn't invasive or painful—it's a bit like sticking small patches on your skin. These sensors are connected to a computer that displays your brain's activity in real-time.
Imagine trying to keep a movie playing smoothly by relaxing your brain—if you get too anxious or distracted, the movie might pause or skip. Through this process, you're essentially "training" your brain to better regulate its signals, much like how you might train a muscle to be stronger or more flexible.
Over time, with consistent neurofeedback sessions, many people find that they can better manage stress, focus more effectively, and generally feel better mentally.
How Does Neurofeedback Help My Issues?
Neurofeedback is a fascinating tool, capable of both diagnosing and treating irregularities in brainwave patterns. This in turn can help manage a range of mental, emotional, and behavioral issues, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Sleep problems
- Autism
- Impulsivity
- Mood regulation
When the brain receives real-time feedback about its own activity, it has the capacity to self-correct and adjust. Neurofeedback also promotes brain flexibility, a vital aspect of mental health. What does this mean? Consider a time when your emotional state changed rapidly. Perhaps you were feeling somewhat low, but then you heard your favorite song and your spirits lifted. This is your brain and its brainwaves demonstrating flexibility.
However, individuals often find themselves "stuck" in a specific emotional state, which can impact their interpersonal relationships and concentration. For example, some people might feel a flash of anger and then return to calmness quickly, while others might remain in that angry state for a prolonged period.
Neurofeedback supports the brain's ability to transition between emotional states more smoothly. This can significantly benefit individuals struggling with anger issues, anxiety, depression, impulsivity, and various behavioral issues.
If you or a loved one might benefit from neurofeedback, please don't hesitate to contact me. I'm here to discuss how I may be able to assist you on your journey towards better mental health.