Neurofeedback is a non-invasive treatment that encourages the brain to develop healthier patterns of activity. The goal of treatment is not only to change how you think and feel, but also to change your brain on a biological level for better functioning.
Recent research has shown that when given the proper support, the brain has the ability to change and adapt, a property known as neuroplasticity. Neurofeedback can encourage and speed up this process of neuroplasticity.
Words alone are often not enough. Simply telling someone to calm down or focus doesn’t solve the underlying issues of conditions like anxiety or ADHD. On the other hand, neurofeedback allows us to speak to the brain with its own language: Brain Waves.
In mental health disorders, brain wave patterns can become disrupted, leading to unhealthy biological activity and behavior. For example, people with anxiety disorders often have too much fast brain wave activity, which leaves them feeling on edge, hyper-aroused, and panicky. On the other hand, those with ADHD can have an excess of slower brain wave activity, resulting in symptoms like brain fog, daydreaming, and trouble focusing.
The goal of neurofeedback therapy is to help modulate these dysregulated brain wave patterns.
Brain Waves
Our brain cells communicate through electrical impulses known as brain waves. Each brain wave has two properties:
In general, faster brain waves are associated with focus, thinking, and awareness, while slower brain waves are associated with relaxation, meditation, and deep sleep.
Candice explains standard Neurofeedback in video
Candice explains Anxiety Neurofeedback
Candice explains Trauma-Processing Neurofeedback
A typical Neurofeedback process:
A typical session takes about 1.5 - 2 hrs proceeded by a follow up with Candice to review the findings. Changes to the brain typically happen slowly and over time. For that reason, it can take many sessions to achieve long-term changes in symptoms and brain functioning.