neurofeedback - What to expect
What is Neurofeedback Training?
Neurofeedback is NOT a miracle cure, a quick fix or a treatment! It is a state-of-the-art training process using biofeedback to help your brain learn to increase healthy patterns of functioning. When we are “shown” our brainwave activity in real time, we can learn to change it. Using EEG (Electroencephalogram) biofeedback (information about your brain activity), your brain can be trained toward greater self-regulation. This greater control and stability can allow you to strengthen attention, concentration, learning ability, and manage stress. The training leads to sustained effects, so with practice you will be able to maintain the new patterns after completing the training.
What to expect in our BrainGym
At your first session, we will discuss your expectations. We have some user friendly self-assessment forms to help with this part, so we all have a clear understanding of your training goals and what changes you can expect. Usually in the course of this discussion, we will discover at least a few - and sometimes several - more possible aims, in addition to the ideas you came in with. Once these goals have been set we will begin the training process. During the first session the neurotherapist will evaluate your EEG activity in conjunction with training goals to develop a training program. Sessions usually last 45 min, with 30min training.
Neurofeedback is NOT a miracle cure, a quick fix or a treatment! It is a state-of-the-art training process using biofeedback to help your brain learn to increase healthy patterns of functioning. When we are “shown” our brainwave activity in real time, we can learn to change it. Using EEG (Electroencephalogram) biofeedback (information about your brain activity), your brain can be trained toward greater self-regulation. This greater control and stability can allow you to strengthen attention, concentration, learning ability, and manage stress. The training leads to sustained effects, so with practice you will be able to maintain the new patterns after completing the training.
What to expect in our BrainGym
At your first session, we will discuss your expectations. We have some user friendly self-assessment forms to help with this part, so we all have a clear understanding of your training goals and what changes you can expect. Usually in the course of this discussion, we will discover at least a few - and sometimes several - more possible aims, in addition to the ideas you came in with. Once these goals have been set we will begin the training process. During the first session the neurotherapist will evaluate your EEG activity in conjunction with training goals to develop a training program. Sessions usually last 45 min, with 30min training.
The Session
Neurofeedback is a relaxed, comfortable process, which adults usually experience as pleasant and children as fun. You’ll be sitting in a comfortable chair with 3-5 electrodes placed on your scalp with water soluble conductive paste. It’s natural to feel a little nervous about being hooked up to a computer, but the procedure is entirely non-invasive. Though the word “electrode” can trouble some people, electrodes are just sensors that detect brain activity. They are exclusively one-way, in that they relay brainwaves to the computer, but they can’t send any information (or electricity) back to the brain. The electrodes/ sensors merely read brain wave activity and do not at any point put anything into your head. They don’t reveal your thoughts. They don’t hurt.
The neurotherapist sits at a computer which displays the relevant sample of your brainwaves, monitoring your brain wave activity continuously. Via specialized computer software, brain activity is translated into audio and/ or visual feedback with is relayed back to you.. One of the first questions most people ask is, “What am I supposed to do?” The answer is that there is nothing to do — consciously. Your brain will do it all. It’s hard-wired to take in information and use it to optimize itself — with no conscious intervention required. You’ll be sitting in that comfortable chair, listening to your brain waves, listening to sounds and or watching a a video or movie. The given visual and audio rewards are the feedback you need for your brain to make the necessary shifts. These signals alert your brain to notice the shifts as they are happening, evaluate them for usefulness, and learn from those evaluations. None of that happens consciously. Without conscious effort on your part, your brain receives constant feedback – like the feedback received from traffic lights - and learns how to function in a more beneficial way. With practice, this new way of functioning becomes more and more natural. Even though the brain is working quite hard, most people find the sessions relaxing, so you can be prepared to enjoy them.
How does change occur and how is it monitored?
Each brain is utilizing the information it is given in the way that is right for that person; changes in people’s lives often taking place quite seamlessly. Your only job in between sessions will be to notice what is changing in your life because some changes can be quite subtle. We use the assessment forms to track changes. Most people begin to notice improvement and experience changes after only a few sessions, so you should know pretty quickly whether this is
right for you.
How long does the training take?
Neurofeedback is not a treatment, it’s a training process. Because it is a learning process, it takes a number of sessions of practice so that it becomes second nature, much like going to the gym. As Neurofeedback training is a learning process for the brain, we recommend that the first few sessions are conducted weekly or bi-weekly, after which we will work with whatever feels right for you, your schedule and budget.
How many sessions will I need?
New clients often ask this, understandably. We generally recommend at least 4 sessions in order to teach the brain, there after we will guide you. We have had clients complete their training, happy that they got what they came in for after only a few sessions. We also have clients who opt for maintenance because they have life circumstances that they feel would benefit from ongoing training. Sometimes people come back for tune-ups if life has thrown a lot at
them, or for another round when they are ready. Bottom line is, you’ll tell us when you feel you are “good to go.”
What about side effects?
There are normally no side effects, and people usually find the exercise pleasant. Occasionally, a few people have a mild, temporary headache after the training because the brain uses lots of energy during the training. It is also not unusual for a person to feel physically tired after a session.
Neurofeedback is a relaxed, comfortable process, which adults usually experience as pleasant and children as fun. You’ll be sitting in a comfortable chair with 3-5 electrodes placed on your scalp with water soluble conductive paste. It’s natural to feel a little nervous about being hooked up to a computer, but the procedure is entirely non-invasive. Though the word “electrode” can trouble some people, electrodes are just sensors that detect brain activity. They are exclusively one-way, in that they relay brainwaves to the computer, but they can’t send any information (or electricity) back to the brain. The electrodes/ sensors merely read brain wave activity and do not at any point put anything into your head. They don’t reveal your thoughts. They don’t hurt.
The neurotherapist sits at a computer which displays the relevant sample of your brainwaves, monitoring your brain wave activity continuously. Via specialized computer software, brain activity is translated into audio and/ or visual feedback with is relayed back to you.. One of the first questions most people ask is, “What am I supposed to do?” The answer is that there is nothing to do — consciously. Your brain will do it all. It’s hard-wired to take in information and use it to optimize itself — with no conscious intervention required. You’ll be sitting in that comfortable chair, listening to your brain waves, listening to sounds and or watching a a video or movie. The given visual and audio rewards are the feedback you need for your brain to make the necessary shifts. These signals alert your brain to notice the shifts as they are happening, evaluate them for usefulness, and learn from those evaluations. None of that happens consciously. Without conscious effort on your part, your brain receives constant feedback – like the feedback received from traffic lights - and learns how to function in a more beneficial way. With practice, this new way of functioning becomes more and more natural. Even though the brain is working quite hard, most people find the sessions relaxing, so you can be prepared to enjoy them.
How does change occur and how is it monitored?
Each brain is utilizing the information it is given in the way that is right for that person; changes in people’s lives often taking place quite seamlessly. Your only job in between sessions will be to notice what is changing in your life because some changes can be quite subtle. We use the assessment forms to track changes. Most people begin to notice improvement and experience changes after only a few sessions, so you should know pretty quickly whether this is
right for you.
How long does the training take?
Neurofeedback is not a treatment, it’s a training process. Because it is a learning process, it takes a number of sessions of practice so that it becomes second nature, much like going to the gym. As Neurofeedback training is a learning process for the brain, we recommend that the first few sessions are conducted weekly or bi-weekly, after which we will work with whatever feels right for you, your schedule and budget.
How many sessions will I need?
New clients often ask this, understandably. We generally recommend at least 4 sessions in order to teach the brain, there after we will guide you. We have had clients complete their training, happy that they got what they came in for after only a few sessions. We also have clients who opt for maintenance because they have life circumstances that they feel would benefit from ongoing training. Sometimes people come back for tune-ups if life has thrown a lot at
them, or for another round when they are ready. Bottom line is, you’ll tell us when you feel you are “good to go.”
What about side effects?
There are normally no side effects, and people usually find the exercise pleasant. Occasionally, a few people have a mild, temporary headache after the training because the brain uses lots of energy during the training. It is also not unusual for a person to feel physically tired after a session.
