Frequently Asked Questions

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What is Neurofeedback?

       

Neurofeedback is a non-invasive treatment used to train your brain.  By doing Neurofeedback your brain learns to naturally function more efficiently.  During Neurofeedback, we observe your brain functioning in real-time. Through software, you are rewarded when your brainwaves change into more effective patterns. Over time, your brain naturally learns to function more appropriately.  This is very important because over time the brain learns to function more effectively without the need for any drugs or supplements. Neurofeedback has been shown to be effective in treating ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, insomnia, autism, OCD, head injuries and concussions, substance use difficulties, PTSD, fibromyalgia or chronic pain, IBS, stroke,  and uncontrolled epilepsy.

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Can Neurofeedback cause negative side effects?

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Mild side effects can sometimes occur during Neurofeedback training.  For example, occasionally someone may feel fatigued, spacey, anxious, experience a headache, have difficulty falling asleep, or feel irritable.  Sometimes such side effects may occur if a training session is too long.  Usually such feelings pass within a short time after a training session.  If a patient feels that he or she may be experiencing a side effect, they can tell the therapist about this and training protocols can be easily altered, usually eliminating such mild side effects.  However, we have occasionally seen more serious adverse effects when unqualified practitioners have been doing Neurofeedback, especially when the training is not being guided by a scientifically objective quantitative EEG brain map.

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How frequently are Neurofeedback sessions done?

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Neurofeedback should be done at least once a week, and preferably twice weekly.  When persons are traveling from long distances we can sometimes do neurofeedback twice in a day.

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How successful is Neurofeedback treatment?

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Most follow-up research has commonly found that about 70-80% of the time significant improvements occur. This is substantially higher than medications.  

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How many sessions are required with Neurofeedback?

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Neurofeedback for ADD/ADHD and learning disabilities usually requires about 30-40 sessions; usually anxiety and insomnia require about 20 sessions; concussions and brain injuries can require 25-50 sessions depending on the severity.  Depression often requires about 25-30 sessions and OCD may require 30-50 sessions.

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Are follow-up or maintenance sessions required?  

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If changes have been adequately reinforced, maintenance sessions are not usually necessary.  The exception is if something has occurred to change brain functioning such as a head injury or drug abuse.

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