Neurofeedback Therapy
The control unit for our bodies, our cognitive and emotional functioning,
and our behaviour, is our brain. And, both our biology and life experiences
play key roles in how our brains develop and function. However, some individuals
have experienced events in their past (or present) that involved stress,
abuse, neglect, or emotional trauma, or they had head injuries of varying
types and degrees, or they were born with problematic brain/nervous system
functioning. When this happens, states of either over
or under arousal (or both) are created within
the nervous system. In other words, the brain then has a difficult time
balancing emotion, mood, psychological and thought processes, and behavior.
As a result, problems with anxiety, depression, managing emotions, learning
and attention, making healthy choices, coping effectively, and demonstrating
stable behaviour can develop. When this happens, neurofeedback therapy
can help.
For many years, neurofeedback therapy has been used to help people better
regulate their nervous systems. Essentially, neurofeedback is a method
to help train the nervous system to create (or recreate) ‘balance’ within
itself, and function in a healthier way. To do this, through a gentle,
simple, and often enjoyable protocol using neurofeedback technology, your
brain is taught how to create brain wave activity associated with healthy
nervous system functioning, and is then rewarded for doing so. The more
your nervous system is rewarded for creating this balance, the more it
learns, over time, how to create it on its own. When it does, unstable
moods, emotional issues, psychological/cognitive issues, and problematic
behaviours decrease or disappear.
Neurofeedback therapy has been found to be a successful intervention in modifying:
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The Process
Neurofeedback, like other therapies, requires an assessment before beginning. This helps to determine the most suitable neurofeedback protocols for you, as well as to identify other issues that may need attention to enhance the outcome of your treatment.
Once the assessment is complete, neurofeeback sessions begin. Those interested in neurofeeback are, typically, required to commit to two 30-minute sessions per week. As well, the length of neurofeedback therapy will differ depending on the severity, and length of time, you have been dealing with the problem. As symptoms begin to decrease or resolve, neurofeedback sessions are gradually reduced.
Reasearch has indicated both lasting and positive changes after successful neurofeedback therapy. Neurofeedback can be used as a stand-alone therapy, but is often also used in conjunction with other effective therapeutic interventions along the way. As well, neurofeedback can sometimes produce results faster than 'talk therapy', and may be effective for issues that have not improved with other therapies in the past.
To book an appointment to further discuss neurofeedback therapy, please call 519-936-5542.