We are very excited to offer In-Office and At-Home sessions for Neurofeedback. Please read the following information and contact us with any questions you may have.
What is Neurofeedback or Neurotherapy?
Neurofeedback (NFB) therapy is a type of Biofeedback and a therapeutic technique that uses the brain’s natural process of learning to train it to produce the desired states of functioning. It is an all-natural approach that can lead to long term changes in your functioning. NFB allows clients to observe their brain activity in real time and to develop control over it. With continued feedback and reinforcement in the form of fun and interactive video games or audio/visual applications, the brain will intuitively learn to regulate itself and most people begin to produce healthier brain wave patterns. Think of it as exercise to strengthen your brain! NFB can be used to help with symptoms associated with ADHD/ADD such as inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity. NFB can also be used for symptoms of Anxiety, Stress, Depression, poor emotional regulation, and migraines.
How does it work?
NFB works by training the electrical activity of the brain and encouraging healthier connections between different areas of the brain. Because we can pinpoint the areas of the brain that are associated with specific issues, we can help those areas begin to function in a healthier way. As the brain starts to regulate, new neural pathways are developed and reinforced, leading to long term changes and overall healthier functioning. It basically teaches your brain a new way to operate!
What happens in a NFB session?
We will begin with an intake session to discuss your history, symptoms, and concerns. The next session, the Neurotherapist will give you a personalized EEG Brain Assessment. Sensors will be placed on your head and ears, in order to “read” your brain’s electrical activity. It is completely safe and painless. It is similar to the doctor listening to your heartbeat. The Neurotherapist will assess your brain waves in different areas of your brain and then generate a report that will indicate issues to address with therapy based on any abnormal or dysregulated brain wave activity. This report, along with the information from your intake session, will be used to develop your personalized treatment plan. The Neurotherapist will let you know if you would be a better candidate for In-Office sessions or if you would be able to complete your training with our At-Home Program.
In-Office NFB sessions will include “training” using the audio-visual equipment while the sensors are attached to your head, earlobes, fingers, and possibly around your waist. The Neurotherapist will read your brain activity as you watch a movie or play a game. The computer will be programmed to reward your brain when you are producing the type of brain waves that we are wanting to increase, and when you are decreasing the brain waves that we do not want. For example, the game or movie will stop or you will not be able to earn points if your brain produces the wrong kind of waves. This reward cycle happens hundreds of times during the session. Your brain learns very quickly when it is appropriately rewarded. Over time, your brain will build new neural pathways and connections that balance the electrical activity, leading to positive changes in your brain. If you are committed to completing the recommended number of sessions, you will likely see good lasting results. In-Office sessions are scheduled once per week.
At-Home NFB sessions can be completed in the privacy of your own home by renting the equipment from SCS and accessing your training online. The Neurotherapist will program your training sessions, review them online after you have completed them, and adjust the training as needed. At-Home sessions should be completed at least 3 times per week, and up to 3 people in your household can use the equipment to train.
How many sessions will I need, how often do I train, and how long does the session last?
The number of NFB sessions you will need depends on your personal assessment. However, 20-40 sessions are typical for most people. Most of the research completed demonstrates positive results after at least 40 sessions. Sessions will last approximately 30-45 minutes. The Neurotherapist will adapt your NFB based on how your brain responds over time. It is recommended that you commit to completing NFB sessions AT LEAST once per week. Regular reinforcement of the training is essential for positive outcomes. It will likely take several weeks for you to notice any changes. After 10-20 sessions, you may opt to have another Brain Assessment to determine progress and treatment can be adapted from there.
What are the side effects?
Most people have no side effects due to the safe, non-invasive nature of NFB. However, some do experience feeling tired, headaches, nausea, or sensitivity to light. These side effects are usually short lived and your NFB can be adjusted to decrease these effects if experienced. Those with histories of seizures and/or migraines may experience more negative side effects. A medical release is required for all those with seizure histories.
NFB for symptoms of ADHD and ADD
NFB can be used to help with symptoms commonly associated with ADHD and ADD including poor attention and focus, hyperactivity, impulsivity, and difficulty managing emotions. People with ADHD tend to produce high power slow (theta) waves in their frontal lobes which decreases their ability to focus, plan and control impulses. NFB can train the brain to produce faster (beta or SMR) waves that are needed for concentration, attention, and emotional regulation. Over time, this leads to positive changes in the brain. Many studies have shown that NFB produces the same or better results for symptoms of ADHD as stimulant medications. NFB is an alternative, safe, non-invasive treatment for these kinds of symptoms, although we cannot guarantee that you will not still need or benefit from ADHD medications.
NFB for anxiety
People struggling with anxiety usually produce excessive beta waves which affects the amygdala (brain structure that plays an important role in the fear/emotional response associated with panic attacks). NFB will likely include a protocol to teach the client to control breathing and heart rate and to reward slower brain waves that lead to less fear and more emotional regulation. The goal would be to calm the nervous system overall. This should lead to a sense of control and contentment and over time, your brain will be less likely to produce the symptomatic activity that was leading to the anxiety.
NFB for depression
Depression can be linked with a variety of brain wave patterns, but people with depressed feelings usually have incoherence between their left and right frontal hemispheres. If this is the case, NFB will focus on training the frontal lobe to be in coherence, which should result in more positive feelings and thinking patterns.
NFB for Migraines
People with migraines usually have dysregulated brain wave activity between the left and right hemispheres. NFB will focus on regulating the 2 sides to be in more coherence.
What is the cost for NFB?
NFB is not covered by insurance. We can provide you with receipts to submit to your insurance company to request reimbursement. The cost for a personalized brain assessment is $75. You will receive a detailed report of symptoms and issues associated with your brain activity and a personalized treatment plan based on the treatment goals. This assessment is NOT a diagnostic tool for specific disorders. This assessment is required before any further Neurofeedback can be done.
Due to the need for multiple sessions to reinforce the new brain activity we are training with Neurofeedback, we offer session packages.
In-Office Package prices are as follows:
5 sessions: $325 ($65 per session)
10 sessions: $600 ($60 per session)
15 sessions: $840 ($56 per session)
20 sessions: $1000 ($50 per session and personalized brain assessment will be included in 20 session package price)
*Sessions are scheduled once per week with the Neurotherapist.
All packages must be paid for up front and are non-refundable. If you choose to pay per session, sessions will be billed at $70 each.
You will receive Bio/Neurofeedback to address the problematic brain activity and learn self regulation skills, as well as professional counseling, coaching on nutritional and lifestyle modifications, and collaboration with your Primary Care Physician for medication management.
At-Home Package prices are as follows:
Monthly equipment rental fee: $50
Monthly software activation fee: $50
12 sessions per month
1 user: $450
2 users: $600
3 users: $750
4 additional sessions per month: $80 per user
8 additional sessions per month: $125 per user
All fees must be paid before equipment will be provided and are non-refundable.
*At-Home sessions offer you the ability to complete more training sessions in a shorter amount of time and are more cost effective in the long run. However, not everyone is a good candidate for At-Home training. The Neurotherapist will let you know your options after the EEG Brain Assessment is completed.
About the Neurotherapist
Lori Allen is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor with 18 years of extensive training and experience in ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and overall brain functioning. She completed the EEG (Neurofeedback) Clinical Applications training in October 2018 which included 40 hours of study in the history, protocols, techniques, applications, and procedures of NFB. She has completed over 200 client sessions. She is currently being mentored by a certified NFB clinician and is pursuing the requirements to obtain certification by the Biofeedback Certification International Association (BCIA). She is approved to practice NFB in a clinical setting.