Can Neurofeedback Therapy Help With Anxiety?

Did you know that anxiety is a normal and oftentimes even helpful emotion? Anxiety is an adaptive response to stress or perceived threats in the environment. Anxiety can vary widely. Individuals may experience a combination of physical, emotional, and cognitive symptoms that can be impactful or uncomfortable. While anxiety may help individuals cope with challenges, when anxiety becomes chronic or overwhelming, it may require attention and intervention. Anxiety is a very prevalent mental health concern for many people. In fact, it is said that almost 30% of the population in the United States will experience a diagnosable anxiety disorder at some point in their life.

That being said, if you have anxiety of some sort, you are most definitely not alone! Some of the common anxiety disorders include: General Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Phobias, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. While there are a few reputable treatments for anxiety, neurofeedback therapy is a non-invasive and evidence-based method that has proven to have a lot of success for many people.

What is Neurofeedback Therapy For Anxiety?

Neurofeedback is a natural type of therapy that provides real-time information about brain activity to individuals. It typically involves the use of a few sensors placed on the scalp to monitor brainwave patterns. This information is then displayed on a screen, and individuals are trained to regulate their brain activity in response to the feedback that they receive. When their brain activity aligns with the desired patterns, they are rewarded with positive feedback, both visually and auditory. Over multiple sessions, the brain gradually learns to self-regulate and adopt more desirable patterns of activity. The brain becomes more balanced and self-regulated as a result, which can be helpful with managing many mental health related concerns and issues. Just like building a muscle in the body, the brain can also learn and grow with multiple and consistent training sessions!  

Can Neurofeedback Therapy Help Manage Anxiety? 

The short answer is: absolutely! Neurofeedback can help with anxiety by training individuals to regulate their brain activity patterns in a more effective and balanced way. Anxiety is often associated with difficulties in self-regulation and emotional control, and training various brain patterns can help with controlling that. Neurofeedback provides individuals with information about their brain activity. Thus, allowing them to learn how to self-regulate and manage emotional responses overtime. During neurofeedback, specific patterns of brainwave activity associated with anxiety can be identified and then altered and trained. For example, overactivity in the beta brainwave (faster brainwaves) range is often linked to anxiety. With repeated neurofeedback sessions, individuals can learn to reduce excessive beta wave activity and promote more calming brainwave patterns, such as alpha or theta waves (slower brain waves).

The self-regulation skills learned during neurofeedback sessions can generalize to real-life situations, helping individuals manage anxiety more effectively in daily life. If the brain is more balanced, accessibility to coping skills and logical thinking tends to be more manageable and attainable. Neurofeedback is believed to promote neuroplasticity. This is the brain’s ability to reorganize, adapt, and change. This may be relevant to anxiety treatment by encouraging positive changes in neural circuits associated with emotional regulation. This results in more resilience and flexibility in behaviors and thought processes. There is a lot of scientific evidence to suggest that neurofeedback can be effective in reducing anxiety symptoms. Many clinical studies have shown that individuals who receive neurofeedback training may experience a significant reduction in anxiety levels after the completion of neurofeedback training. 

What to Expect From Neurofeedback Therapy Process 

The process usually begins with an assessment by a qualified and trained practitioner. Together, you will discuss your symptoms, goals, and concerns. You will also get a Quantitative Electroencephalogram (qEEG) done. This measures your brain activity on an electrical level. The practitioner will set specific training protocols based on your goals and the results of your brain map. For example, if you’re seeking to reduce anxiety, they may target certain brainwave patterns associated with relaxation. Neurofeedback is not a one-time treatment. You can expect to come in to receive treatment a minimum of two times a week for 30-40 sessions.

The practitioner will continually monitor your progress. As well as adjust the training protocols as needed to address your specific concerns. Over time, the self-regulation skills you develop during neurofeedback will generalize to real-life situations. Thus, helping you manage your symptoms outside of the therapy sessions. Neurofeedback is an effective and long lasting treatment. Most people see life long changes after doing neurofeedback therapy.

If considering neurofeedback treatment to help manage your anxiety, look no further! Mountain Vista Psychology is here to answer all your questions. To support you to take the first steps towards living a life with reduced worry and anxiety! Check out our website for more information and the next steps!

Ready to Begin Neurofeedback Therapy For Anxiety in Englewood, Denver, or Littleton, CO?

Embark on a transformative journey toward inner calm and mental resilience through neurofeedback therapy. Take charge of your anxiety and reclaim your peace of mind with targeted, non-invasive techniques that empower your brain’s natural healing abilities. Start your path to a brighter, anxiety-free future and unlocking the power of neurofeedback therapy at Mountain Vista Psychology by following these three simple steps:

1. Schedule a free phone consultation to see if Neurofeedback Therapy for Anxiety is right for you
2. Begin meeting with a skilled clinician
3. Start managing your anxiety in healthy and 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 overcome your anxiety symptoms with the help of Neurofeedback Therapy for Anxiety, we also provide Neurofeedback for ADHD, Neurofeedback for Autism, 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!