What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback falls within the field of bio-feedback. Sensors are placed on the scalp and an amplifier is used to pick up the electrical frequencies of the brain’s functioning. This information is then played back to the client through audio tones or visual feedback for the brain to integrate and use to improve its functioning. Decades of robust clinical research through placebo controlled, double blind studies have shown that neurofeedback supports the regulation and functioning of the autonomic nervous system. In the last 30 years, researchers are coming to understand trauma responses more and more, and the vital role that our nervous system plays in our sense of well being, safety, ability to integrate new information, respond appropriately to the world around us and feel calm and focused.
Neurofeedback can help an over-aroused nervous system calm down, rest and relax (reducing anxiety and improving sleep). It can also support a shut down nervous system to awaken, enliven and engage (improving symptoms of depression). It can reduce hyper-alert startle responses and improve focus (supportive for those with ADHD). Essentially, EEGs have shown the neurofeedback ignites the neural plasticity of the brain, improves executive functioning (state recognition) and supports a more flexible response of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
Integrating neurofeedback into my practice was a natural next step as I witnessed again and again that my clients could have all the cognitive understanding in the world, and still struggle in the moment by moment reactions of their autonomic nervous system. Through contact with indigenous wisdom and teachings, as well as Dan Siegal’s work on interpersonal neural biology (https://drdansiegel.com/books/), and Bessel Van Der Kolk’s seminal book, The Body Keeps the Score (https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score), I had a clear understanding that the cognitive mind and intellectual understanding are only a small part of shifting these patterns of responding to the world. I believe that a holistic treatment for complex trauma must include ‘bottom up’ (or body based) ways of supporting the regulation of the nervous system, in addition to the relational and intellectual domains.
Process information:
We begin our neurofeedback training with an full assessment and decision making process for where to place sensors on the client’s head.
A training session lasts 15 minutes (children) to 30 minutes (adults). During the session the client rests in a recliner, listening to the functioning of their own brain. I have a blanket, eye mask, pillows, all we need to support clients to feel comfortable during the training.
Because neurofeedback is a brain training that depends on neuroplasticity and the brain’s ability to learn over time, it requires consistent repetition. Client’s will see the most profound change if they are able to do training sessions twice a week, but once a week is also a powerful support. Longitudinal studies have shown that there are decades long beneficial results after 25-30 session of training, but benefits continue to be seen with new placements for many more training sessions (some clients continue training for over 100 sessions if it continues to benefit them).
After each session, the client is emailed a Next Day Report to reflect on impacts from the training that may inform modifying training conditions.
Below are some resources to read about neurofeedback.
Some website and studies to read over:
A great website that discusses the impact of neurofeedback on various diagnosis and conditions
http://www.aboutneurofeedback.com/conditions/
Infra Slow Fluctuation (what I practice)
https://isfassociates.com/how-is-isf-different-than-other-neurofeedback/
https://www.neuroregulation.org/article/view/20310/13598
More on Neurofeedback:
https://neurofeedbackservicesny.com//wp-content/uploads/2017/12/NeurofeedbackChap11EEG-ERP2014.pdf
https://neurofieldneurotherapy.com/neurofeedback
The first part of this video is a good introduction to nuerofeedback:
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If an organism is stuck in survival mode, its energies are focused on fighting off unseen enemies, which leaves no room for nurture, care, and love. For us humans, it means that as long as the mind is defending itself against invisible assaults, our closest bonds are threatened, along with our ability to imagine, plan, play, learn, and pay attention to other people’s needs.
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