My neurofeedback treatment begins with a comprehensive brain map, called a qEEG. As your brain’s neurons fire, it sends small electrical signals which can be measured by sensors placed on the scalp. The qEEG cap has 19 sensors measuring the brain’s activity. Once processed and analyzed, we can see which parts of a person’s brain are overactive or underactive, which corresponds to various mental health concerns. For example, a marker for depression would appear as excess activity in the left hemisphere and decreased activity in the right hemisphere. 

Once the client’s symptoms have been matched to qEEG target areas, then training begins. The client will have one or more sensors placed on their scalp and then receive feedback through a computer. The computer will read the client’s brainwaves and when they are on target, they will be positively rewarded by seeing or hearing something clearly. When the brainwaves drop out of the target range, the screen will dim or the sound will fade (depending on the type of feedback). In this way, clients use their own brain power to see or hear the computer. 

The threshold for success will be moved to become slightly more challenging as the client succeeds. Thus, the brain will get more and more regulated as the sessions progress. In the beginning, getting to watch a movie clearly or hear music clearly is the reward. With time, clients begin to notice the positive impact of reduced symptoms, and this becomes the brain’s reward. Our brains function best when well regulated, but sometimes need help finding the way there. Neurofeedback has the potential to offer long term drug free solutions to common mental health concerns and it is often successful on shorter timelines than other treatments.