Neurofeedback Therapy

A noninvasive, medication-free approach to improving brain function by helping your brain learn to regulate itself more effectively.

How to Prepare for a qEEG

What is Neurofeedback?

It begins with a qEEG, or brain map, which measures the electrical activity in different regions of your brain. During this session, you’ll wear a cap with 19 sensors while we record your brainwave patterns with your eyes open and closed. This data helps us understand how your brain is functioning and where imbalances may be contributing to symptoms like anxiety, difficulty focusing, or mood changes.

During each session, sensors are placed on specific parts of your scalp while you watch a video or listen to audio. The media responds when your brain is in a more balanced state. Over time, this process helps train your brain to return to healthier patterns on its own.

Many people find that neurofeedback supports improvements in attention, sleep, emotional balance, and overall mental clarity. Because it works with your brain’s natural ability to adjust and grow, it offers a gentle and personalized path to healing. It can be used on its own or as a complement to talk therapy, depending on your needs.

How often do I train?

Industry research shows that 30-40 sessions, twice weekly, are optimal for brain training. Depending on the presenting symptoms and the individual, the sessions needed could be less than 30 or more than 40. The more often you do it, the faster your brain trains. And the results last! Once you acquire the skill, you will retain it.

What are brain waves?

Our brain is filled with millions and millions of neurons that fire all the time. When these neurons synchronize, they create brain waves. Brainwaves occur at various frequencies. Some are fast, and some are quite slow. The classic names of these EEG bands are delta, theta, alpha, and beta. They are measured in cycles per second or hertz (Hz).

The frequencies at which brainwaves fire depend on our activity. Delta is associated with very slow frequencies measuring between (0.5 and 4 Hz) and is active during sleep.

Theta is also a slower frequency measuring between (4 – 8 Hz), active when we are foggy or daydreamy. Alpha brainwaves (8–12 Hz) are slower and larger. They are generally associated with a state of relaxation. Beta brainwaves are small, relatively fast brainwaves (above 13–30 Hz) associated with a state of mental, and intellectual activity and outwardly focused concentration. This is basically a ‘‘bright-eyed, bushy-tailed’’ state of alertness. Beta can be broken down into low and high beta frequencies.

Hammond, D. C. (2011). What is neurofeedback: An update. Journal of Neurotherapy, 15(4), 305–336.