What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive form of psychotherapy that uses a qEEG device to map and measure the brains electrical activity. Using the qEEG device along with 19 sensors placed on various locations of the patient’s scalp, a map of the brain’s activity is seen. Neurofeedback can treat an array of diagnoses such as, ADHD, anxiety, depression, PTSD, TBI and many others. Different diagnoses will present differently when the initial qEEG reading is done and individual treatment plan is created according to the readings. Through Neurofeedback training, our clinician, Michelle Riehn is able to incorporate stimuli that can produce some of the negative symptoms of these disorders. For example, a patient with a diagnosis of ADHD may have difficulty becoming distracted and focusing on the present. During the session, with the sensors attached, they are engaged in focusing on a movie. If the patient is becoming distracted or unfocused, then the TV screen will become smoky. Through the neurofeedback training sessions, the patient will be able to register that they are becoming distracted and can work on retraining the way their brain communicates and works. This process allows you to concentrate on these negative symptoms in the moment and focus on returning to baseline and into a relaxed state. Eventually you will be able retrain your brain to remain at a baseline state all of the time.
Through an initial one-hour intake, Michelle will review this process with you and begin to formulate a plan for treatment. After this intake, then the initial qEEG recording will be scheduled and an individualized treatment plan will be created. On an average patient’s will complete 25-40 sessions and they are able to see benefits and results from Neurofeedback training, with a success rate of 75-80%. Studies have shown that these benefits can last over twenty years for some patients. The effects of Neurofeedback training are lasting and can radically impact your life or the life of someone you care for.
In our office we have seen these positive impacts on many families and individuals. One family has provided their personal experience with Neurofeedback below.
“We started Neurofeedback Therapy for our fourteen year old daughter in 2019. We had tried other options to help with her behavior but nothing seemed to work. She would have outbursts that were intense and impulsive. She required constant supervision and daycare after school. She was behind academically and socially. We had heard of Neurofeedback Therapy but we did not know much about it. After doing some research and talking with Michelle Riehn, we decided to give it a try.
My daughter did the intial qEEG recording to see where she was at and get a good idea of what may be going on in her brain. She completed about 25 to 30 sessions with Michelle. There was nothing different in day one or even day fifteen, but after a few month of the session, I noticed that my daughter’s behavior was different. She was not getting into trouble at school like she was previously. She was having fewer outbursts at home and at school. We began to receive positive phone calls from about her behavior from the school Principal. Her behavior was calmer and the most “normal” that we had seen.
I’ll never forget that first positive phone call. Previously, the calls had always been about something she did wrong or her acting out. That call was to say that they had seen a big change in behavior. They wanted to know what we had changed and were doing differently and encouraged us to continue. I was relieved, happy and so proud that my kid could have a chance to be something more than a “bad kid”.
I can’t imagine what our lives would be like if we did not try Neurofeedback Therapy with our daughter. We believe in it so much, and we now send two of our other kids there as well. “
Cara Parkinson can be found behind the front desk in the office. She has worked in mental health with children and adolescents for the past 4 years and joined our office in July of 2020. She is currently working to complete her Master’s in Social Work. She enjoys spending time with her dog, Bella, reading and is a lover of learning. She looks forward to discovering more ways to advocate for and help others along their journey through life and finding healing.