Neurofeedback
A Well Done Video Explaination of Neurofeedback
04/05/11
- This is a very informative, well done video about Neurofeedback services, like those that I provide in my clinic. The video is done by some of the leaders in my field, and it does an excellent job of discussing Neurofeedback therapy.
- If you have any questions about Neurofeedback, or if you are interested in seeing if and how it might help you or your children, please give me a call.
PTSD and Neurofeedback
07/07/10
I found this video on KENS-5 news from February. It describes how Neurofeedback is being used to help PTSD sufferers and to help regulate sleep patterns.
Technology and Mental Health
08/31/09
As I work more and more with Anxiety patients and study the impact of anxiety and frustration in people’s lives, I encountered the perfect illustration in my own life. Have you ever tried to hook something up without directions? How about put together a puzzle only to find that a key piece is missing? All I can say is that technology is only good when it WORKS!
Technology is in every facet of our lives these days. We have digital clocks, laptops, our cell phones double as music players, mini computers, and calendars! When setting up my office, I knew I would have quite a bit of computer technology to access during sessions. As a neurofeedback provider, I have several computers which require multiple screens, one for me and one for my client. That’s a lot of hardware to fit in one room! I also wanted to be able to watch DVDs with some of my clients as I have a video library which I use for examples or segments of videos that I use to supplement the points we make in session.
My technologist came up with a way to hide most of my hardware in a cabinet and she wired most of the components into a digital projector instead of having individual monitors for each system. The result is that my office is void of distracting pieces of equipment. I love it! However, my set up is somewhat unique... we often have to jury rig components to work with the projector because no one sets things up like we have. It’s like a gigantic puzzle where not only do the pieces have to fit, they have to work together!
I recently got a Cognivideo machine which gives me greater flexibility within my neurofeedback sessions. I love the concept of using someone’s favorite movie as the reward for feedback, as the “games” included in my neurofeedback software can become frustrating and overly predictable. The machine is GREAT... but first I had to make it work! It installed fine, no problem, but then I hit a snag. I didn’t have the right cord to plug it into the projector! The machine was made to work with a television! It took time to find a cord that would work, and finally, I got it in. Done, right? Nope. I had a DVD player, but the speakers that I had would not work with it, so the videos had no sound... The problems just kept coming. It was an exercise in dealing with my own anxiety that this expensive piece of equipment was now a paperweight while I waited for my technologist to trouble shoot... over, and over, and over again.
Finally we fixed the problem and everything is working again, but if there is anything I have discovered in this experience, it is that even though problems pop up, anxiety does not help solve it. Instead, I had to rely on the coping mechanisms and training that I have received. Anxiety is real, and it effects most of us, but I can help! I have learned to cope with it myself, and so can help you all the better.
Technology is in every facet of our lives these days. We have digital clocks, laptops, our cell phones double as music players, mini computers, and calendars! When setting up my office, I knew I would have quite a bit of computer technology to access during sessions. As a neurofeedback provider, I have several computers which require multiple screens, one for me and one for my client. That’s a lot of hardware to fit in one room! I also wanted to be able to watch DVDs with some of my clients as I have a video library which I use for examples or segments of videos that I use to supplement the points we make in session.
My technologist came up with a way to hide most of my hardware in a cabinet and she wired most of the components into a digital projector instead of having individual monitors for each system. The result is that my office is void of distracting pieces of equipment. I love it! However, my set up is somewhat unique... we often have to jury rig components to work with the projector because no one sets things up like we have. It’s like a gigantic puzzle where not only do the pieces have to fit, they have to work together!
I recently got a Cognivideo machine which gives me greater flexibility within my neurofeedback sessions. I love the concept of using someone’s favorite movie as the reward for feedback, as the “games” included in my neurofeedback software can become frustrating and overly predictable. The machine is GREAT... but first I had to make it work! It installed fine, no problem, but then I hit a snag. I didn’t have the right cord to plug it into the projector! The machine was made to work with a television! It took time to find a cord that would work, and finally, I got it in. Done, right? Nope. I had a DVD player, but the speakers that I had would not work with it, so the videos had no sound... The problems just kept coming. It was an exercise in dealing with my own anxiety that this expensive piece of equipment was now a paperweight while I waited for my technologist to trouble shoot... over, and over, and over again.
Finally we fixed the problem and everything is working again, but if there is anything I have discovered in this experience, it is that even though problems pop up, anxiety does not help solve it. Instead, I had to rely on the coping mechanisms and training that I have received. Anxiety is real, and it effects most of us, but I can help! I have learned to cope with it myself, and so can help you all the better.
What Fires Together Wires Together
07/15/09
People often ask me how Neurofeedback works. It’s a simple concept that, what “fires” together “wires” together in our brain. In other words what experiences and reactions we have to daily life create connections in the brain. The neurons that fire at the same time connect (or wire) with each other. This is a powerful idea and one that can change your life when you begin to implement it daily.
How does it happen? Well, the brain does not judge whether something is good or bad for you, it simply makes more connections the more often you think, feel, or do something. Neurologically, the brain figures that if you are repeating something, there must be a reason and so it makes more connections to continue making that something. The more you think negatively, the more likely you are to continue thinking negatively, the more you experience anxiety, the more likely to be anxious you are, the more you drink alcohol or smoke the more likely you are to continue those habits. This concept is true because each time you do these things, the brain is making more and more connections to keep you doing them. But the reverse is also true, the more you think positive the more positive you will continue to think and the less you do a behavior the less likely you are to repeat it. So, how does this concept of what fires together wires together apply to Neurofeedback?
Well, Neurofeedback helps you to “fire” new brainwaves that produce stability and balance in your life. Over time (usually 20-40 sessions), these brainwaves wire together and the symptoms that were causing issues in your life are often reduced or eliminated. As you go through your day, become aware of what you are firing to your brain through your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, if you do not want those things to wire together, then be proactive and do something positive and different immediately before it wires together.
How does it happen? Well, the brain does not judge whether something is good or bad for you, it simply makes more connections the more often you think, feel, or do something. Neurologically, the brain figures that if you are repeating something, there must be a reason and so it makes more connections to continue making that something. The more you think negatively, the more likely you are to continue thinking negatively, the more you experience anxiety, the more likely to be anxious you are, the more you drink alcohol or smoke the more likely you are to continue those habits. This concept is true because each time you do these things, the brain is making more and more connections to keep you doing them. But the reverse is also true, the more you think positive the more positive you will continue to think and the less you do a behavior the less likely you are to repeat it. So, how does this concept of what fires together wires together apply to Neurofeedback?
Well, Neurofeedback helps you to “fire” new brainwaves that produce stability and balance in your life. Over time (usually 20-40 sessions), these brainwaves wire together and the symptoms that were causing issues in your life are often reduced or eliminated. As you go through your day, become aware of what you are firing to your brain through your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, if you do not want those things to wire together, then be proactive and do something positive and different immediately before it wires together.
Information on Neurofeedback
04/22/09
Why neurofeedback?
Brainwaves may seem impossible to understand, let alone change, but the fact is that our brainwaves are the basis of our physical, emotional, and psychological stability. Depending on your mental health issues, there are times when a change in brainwave activity, whether in frequency (speed) or amplitude (size), can have a significant impact on your ability to function on a daily basis.
Most doctors and mental health professionals rely on medication to treat psychological struggles, and that is effective and often necessary, but that is not the only way. While medication treats the chemical imbalance in the brain, the electrical side is often ignored. Medication is often long term, have significant and undesirable side effects, and for some disorders the client needs to remain on medication for the remainder of their life. By dealing with the electrical part of mental and emotional struggles, often medication can be reduced and sometimes, even eliminated.
No two brains are exactly alike, just as no two people are exactly alike. Because of that, treatment length will vary by person, but once the brainwaves have been changed and the brain has accepted the change, the adjustments are permanent.
How does it work?
Three things occur in the brain that cause the different struggles. The first is called “over arousal,” and happens when the brain is making waves that are too fast. This indicates that you are too active in that portion of your brain. The second is “under arousal” and happens when the brain is making waves that are too slow. Slow brain waves indicate that the portion of your brain is not as active or “awake” as it needs to be. The third is often referred to as “instability.” If your brain is showing a vast fluctuation in frequency, it is unstable. Often, instability occurs in opposite sides of the brain, where one side is producing brainwaves that are too fast and the other is producing waves that are too slow.
Neurofeedback trains the brain to regulate these waves within normalized ranges. This means that the brain learns what frequencies it should be making, and after repeated reinforcement, it learns to make them on its own, without the guidance of the therapist.
Hold on... Does that mean that the therapist will SHOCK ME?
No! Neurofeedback is not the same as electroshock therapy! The sensors that are put on your head during neurofeedback only READ electrical signals. They can not send electricity into your body. The neurofeedback equipment (with the exception of the computer) works off of a battery.
Does it change my personality?
Neurofeedback cannot change the parts of you that make you who you are. The changes you will see in your life will include things like your sleep patterns, your ability to focus and concentrate, or your ability to relax and stay calm. You will not suddenly loose interest in your favorite activities, or change your sense of humor. You are not a pod person! My goal is to help you function better daily, not change who you are. Your personality is safe. In fact, one of the main reasons that people choose neurofeedback over medication is because it does NOT change your personality at all. You will not become a zombie or exhibit the side effects that often come with psychotropic medications.
Brainwaves may seem impossible to understand, let alone change, but the fact is that our brainwaves are the basis of our physical, emotional, and psychological stability. Depending on your mental health issues, there are times when a change in brainwave activity, whether in frequency (speed) or amplitude (size), can have a significant impact on your ability to function on a daily basis.
Most doctors and mental health professionals rely on medication to treat psychological struggles, and that is effective and often necessary, but that is not the only way. While medication treats the chemical imbalance in the brain, the electrical side is often ignored. Medication is often long term, have significant and undesirable side effects, and for some disorders the client needs to remain on medication for the remainder of their life. By dealing with the electrical part of mental and emotional struggles, often medication can be reduced and sometimes, even eliminated.
No two brains are exactly alike, just as no two people are exactly alike. Because of that, treatment length will vary by person, but once the brainwaves have been changed and the brain has accepted the change, the adjustments are permanent.
How does it work?
Three things occur in the brain that cause the different struggles. The first is called “over arousal,” and happens when the brain is making waves that are too fast. This indicates that you are too active in that portion of your brain. The second is “under arousal” and happens when the brain is making waves that are too slow. Slow brain waves indicate that the portion of your brain is not as active or “awake” as it needs to be. The third is often referred to as “instability.” If your brain is showing a vast fluctuation in frequency, it is unstable. Often, instability occurs in opposite sides of the brain, where one side is producing brainwaves that are too fast and the other is producing waves that are too slow.
Neurofeedback trains the brain to regulate these waves within normalized ranges. This means that the brain learns what frequencies it should be making, and after repeated reinforcement, it learns to make them on its own, without the guidance of the therapist.
Hold on... Does that mean that the therapist will SHOCK ME?
No! Neurofeedback is not the same as electroshock therapy! The sensors that are put on your head during neurofeedback only READ electrical signals. They can not send electricity into your body. The neurofeedback equipment (with the exception of the computer) works off of a battery.
Does it change my personality?
Neurofeedback cannot change the parts of you that make you who you are. The changes you will see in your life will include things like your sleep patterns, your ability to focus and concentrate, or your ability to relax and stay calm. You will not suddenly loose interest in your favorite activities, or change your sense of humor. You are not a pod person! My goal is to help you function better daily, not change who you are. Your personality is safe. In fact, one of the main reasons that people choose neurofeedback over medication is because it does NOT change your personality at all. You will not become a zombie or exhibit the side effects that often come with psychotropic medications.
What issues does neurofeedback work with?
04/21/09
What is neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback, neurotherapy, or neuro-biofeedback, is a technology based therapy technique that can be used to treat many mental health issues and neurological disorders. Some (but certainly not all) of these are:
1. ADD/ ADHD
2. Depression
3. Anxiety
4. Stress Management
5. Pain Management
6. Migraines
7. Peak Performance Training
8. OCD
9. Sleep disorders
10. Panic disorders
Neurofeedback, neurotherapy, or neuro-biofeedback, is a technology based therapy technique that can be used to treat many mental health issues and neurological disorders. Some (but certainly not all) of these are:
1. ADD/ ADHD
2. Depression
3. Anxiety
4. Stress Management
5. Pain Management
6. Migraines
7. Peak Performance Training
8. OCD
9. Sleep disorders
10. Panic disorders