All About Neurofeedback Therapy

Interested in starting neurofeedback therapy? For some, the idea of brain training might feel intimidating, scary, or uncertain. If you feel this way, you are certainly not alone! Even thinking about doing neurofeedback theory is a great first step in your mental health journey. Neurofeedback can be a big commitment in many ways. So it might be helpful to know the facts before starting the process. For starters, what exactly is neurofeedback?

What is Neurofeedback Therapy?

Neurofeedback Therapy is a therapeutic approach that involves real-time monitoring of brain activity to provide individuals with information about their brain functioning. Throughout the process, feedback is provided to individuals to help them learn to self-regulate and improve overall brain function. Imagine your brain as a busy city with different neighborhoods. Neurofeedback places small sensors on your head to watch the activities in these neighborhoods. Now, you want to improve your city’s performance. When the brain does something good (desired brainwave patterns), you get positive feedback. It is like training your brain to be a better mayor of the city! The brain is very trainable and typically responds well to feedback, so it is a successful intervention for many people. 

The Process of Neurofeedback Therapy

The process of neurofeedback involves several key steps. Here is a more detailed breakdown.

Assessment

First, before starting neurofeedback training, we conduct a comprehensive assessment. Your neurofeedback therapist will meet with you to better understand what you are looking for with your mental health treatment and what support would be most helpful in your life. 

Setting Goals and Treatment Plan

Next, based on the assessment, we establish specific goals. These could be related to things such as: improving attention, reducing anxiety, managing stress, or addressing other neurological or psychological concerns. Oftentimes we monitor the frequency, intensity, and duration of behaviors during the process ensuring that progress is being made. Your treatment plan is individualized, especially for you! 

Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG)

View this process as a picture of your brain being taken! The qEEG measures the electrical activity of the brain by recording the electrical signals generated by neurons. You will wear a 19-channel qEEG cap, which connects to a computer. Nothing ever goes in your head, and it does not hurt. The process is completely safe and noninvasive. However, your hair will be a little sticky when the cap is taken off (from the conductor gel), but it will wash right out with hot water!   

Brain Map Review

Then the results of the qEEG analysis are presented in the form of brain maps, showing the distribution of brainwave activity across different regions of the brain. This mapping can provide insights into the functioning of specific brain areas. We use the brain map findings to help in the diagnosis and treatment planning. During this time, your mental health provider will choose an individualized protocol for your neurofeedback training and explain to you the reason behind choosing that protocol. 

Brain Training

This is where the brain training process begins! When the brain produces the desired patterns, it will receive positive reinforcement in the form of an auditory and visual cue. Over time, the neural pathways in the brain will change. Neurofeedback is a gradual process. Our sessions are typically done 2-3 times a week for a total of 30-40 total training sessions. Progress is monitored, and adjustments to the training protocols are made based on the brain’s responses. Your neurofeedback therapist will be with you every step of the way! 

Follow-Up and Maintenance

Once the initial training period has finished, follow-up assessments may start. Some people may benefit from occasional maintenance sessions to reinforce the learned self-regulation skills but most people find the results of neurofeedback to be lasting and permanent! 

What is Neurofeedback Therapy Helpful For?

Neurofeedback is helpful for many mental health conditions. At Mountain Vista Psychology, we have seen neurofeedback be successful with: Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD), anxiety, depression, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), recovery from concussion or traumatic brain injury, learning disabilities, sleep issues, and peak performance training. With most mental health issues, there is a clear brain imbalance or difference. Throughout the process of neurofeedback, the brain can learn to become more balanced in an all-natural way and people often report a huge reduction in symptoms and behaviors as a result. Furthermore, neurofeedback is an evidence-based treatment with over 40 years of clinical research that backs it up. In fact, most research shows it’s effective for 80% of people who complete training! The American Academy of Pediatrics lists Neurofeedback as a level-one intervention for ADHD (which is as good as it gets! 

Reach out to Mountain Vista Psychology to get more information about neurofeedback training. We are happy to say that approximately 90% of the people who complete training with us have found it to be effective! We look forward to working with you, as well!

Ready to Take Charge of Your Mental Health With Neurofeedback Therapy in Englewood, Greenwood Village, Littleton, and Denver, CO?

Take control of your mental well-being with neurofeedback therapy – a transformative approach to addressing anxiety, ADHD, autism, performance issues, and traumatic brain injuries. Experience personalized and targeted sessions designed to rewire and optimize your brain function, providing relief and improved focus. Embrace the path to a healthier mind and enhanced performance by scheduling your first neurofeedback session with Mountain Vista Psychology– invest in your mental health journey by following these three simple steps:

1. Schedule a free phone consultation to see if Neurofeedback Therapy is right for you
2. Begin meeting with a skilled Neurofeedback Therapist
3. Start taking control of your mental health in positive ways!

Other Services Offered by Mountain Vista Psychology

At Mountain Vista Psychology, we provide many services to help empower individuals on their journey toward mental and emotional well-being. In addition to helping you manage your mental health with the help of Neurofeedback Therapy, we also provide Neurofeedback for Anxiety, Neurofeedback for Autism, Neurofeedback for ADHD, Neurofeedback for Concussion/ TBI, and Neurofeedback for Sports/Performance. Our counseling services include child counseling, teen counseling, adult counseling, family counseling, & more. Our team also provides testing for learning disabilities, ADHD, and Autism. Be sure to check out our Blog and FAQs for more about us and our services!