Neurofeedback Therapy
Neurofeedback therapy is a non-invasive therapeutic approach that focuses on regulating and optimising brain function.
By using real-time monitoring of brainwave activity, neurotherapy helps individuals gain greater control over their mental and emotional well-being. This innovative method has shown promise in addressing various conditions, including anxiety, ADHD, and PTSD, by training the brain to function more efficiently. It offers a promising path towards enhancing cognitive and emotional health through self-regulation and neuroplasticity.
Foundational principles of neurofeedback
– Neurofeedback changes the focus of attention from the mind to the brain
– The brain organises itself rhythmically in the frequency domain, and it is there that brain plasticity resides
– We can access these rhythms through a type of computerised biofeedback to the brain called neurofeedback
What is neurofeedback training?
Neurofeedback records the frequency rhythms of brainwaves via an electroencephalogram (EEG) and uses a computer to make these perceptible to the trainee or client/ patient in the form of a computer display, such as a game.
The neurofeedback practitioner adjusts the game to reward the client’s brain adjusting frequency rhythms or brainwaves to achieve their optimal treatment goals.
How does it work?
Neuroscientists acknowledge the brain is hardwired to adjust and adapt (Van der Kolk, 2014, van der Kolk et al., 2016). Neurofeedback provides biofeedback to the brain about its own functioning in the format of a computer game, which permits training that optimises brain function to happen. This in turn permits training protocols to be custom designed to address the patient’s symptoms and Electroencephalogram (EEG) results.
In the same way that training the body in a sport enhances performance, so does training the brain to enhance function, thus reducing or eradicating symptoms of many mental health disorders. Sufficient training sessions are required to establish viable neural pathways capable of sustaining long-term benefits to the patient. Research indicates patients benefit from a more intensive training regime – for example 3 sessions a week – at the start of neuro therapy. Later, weekly sessions may suffice to sustain progress. The number of sessions patients require to resolve the symptoms compromising their performance or well-being varies. Most people achieve substantial benefit after 15 to 40 or more neurotherapy sessions.
Neuro diverse people with conditions such as autism may benefit from sustained therapy to maintain their participation in their community.
For many patients, once new neural pathways are established, the benefits in a person’s adjustment may be long-standing. For example, repeated studies of people diagnosed with ADHD who have undergone treatment were still symptom free when reviewed post-neurotherapy (Fisher, 2014, Perl, 2003).
Neurofeedback therapy can help with:
- Attaining peak academic, vocational, sporting and social performance
- Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Anger issues
- Nightmares
- Insomnia
- Migraines
- Addiction
- Bipolar Affective Disorder (BPD)
- Chronic Pain
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Epilepsy
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Anger issues
- Post-brain injury rehabilitation
How does neurofeedback therapy assist with so many issues?
As neurofeedback practitioners we will learn to see through the diagnosis to discern the underlying patterns of arousal. It is the arousal embedded within the diagnosis that we are treating (Fisher, 2014, page 6)
There is mounting evidence that treatments which instil balanced, stable arousal best promote recovery from or optimal performance with myriad psychosocial disabilities.
A vital part of effective therapy – irrespective of the modality – is the therapeutic relationship. A mutually trusting and authentically empathic therapeutic relationship between practitioner and client is essential to good outcomes. The stories people present about their lives matter to then attaining their therapeutic or training goals; be that optimal performance or recovery from trauma.
Links for more information
References
FISHER, S. 2014. Neurofeedback in the treatment of Developmental Trauma – calming the fear driven brain, New York, Norton & Co.
PERL, M. 2003. Neurofeedback Training Outcomes Analysis. Melbourne: Neurofeedback International Academy.
VAN DER KOLK, B. 2014. The body keeps the score, New York, Penguin Books.
VAN DER KOLK, B. A., HODGDON, H., GAPEN, M., MUSICARO, R., SUVAK, M. K., HAMLIN, E. & SPINAZZOLA, J. 2016. A Randomized Controlled Study of Neurofeedback for Chronic PTSD. PLoS One, 11, e0166752.
List of neurofeedback resources I have compiled – Neurofeedback Resources.