Along with Neurofeedback (in-person or outsourced), this self-paced class is meant to be helpful in recognizing the meditative states with psychedelics, dissociation, and reducing stress. Connecting with the unconscious processes of the body, creating good habits of self-regulation, and initiating states of healing are difficult behaviors to achieve. Neurofeedback Training is for maintenance healing and activating your recovery in your posttraumatic growth and recovery.
Go at your own pace but try and do a lesson a week for multiple weeks. Try and do the practices 2-7 days a week. The more you can do the more you can get out of it. You are invited to journal and create creative expressions along the way. Also, tracking symptoms in your journaling is a great way to increase your awareness around your body and mental processes. Content in this course will continually be revised and added to so check back regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Is any electric shock being sent to my brain? No. the feedback (rewards) are sounds only.
How long until I notice changes? Depending on history, we see at least 5-10 sessions to notice changes. We recommend 2x a week for the first month, if you can do it. We recommend thinking of it like a gym lifestyle because neuro-regulation is mentally healthy to continue to maintain regulation and to know that you are regulated.
As we “peel the onion” of their psychological states – bodies with historical layers of stress, illness, injury, and trauma often benefit greatly trauma reprocessing (intensive model) once neuro-regulation is established. Most clients gain enough neuro-regulation once NFB is established but continue with maintenance appointments every 2-4 weeks or so over the course of their lives. Because NFB is based on training (learning/conditioning), training doesn’t wear off, but has to be remembered. Because we forget is why we have to continue to support our neuro-regulation. If your brain has learned efficient patterns for living then it can reestablish them. If it has not, NFB is a great way to support your wellness and recovery needs. NFB can be used as a wellness practice like an on going meditation practice.
How long do the effects last? As your brain and body learn to access and eventually sustain more flexible response, the effects become a new normal, rather than a reaction to training. In most cases, establishment of NFB is established between 20-40 sessions. Thinking of our approach more like a gym is more accurate and is what our research maintains.
What kind of equipment do you use? or will I have to get that goo in my hair? No! we use an FDA product called Freedom 10R from Brainmaster that is a cap with the electrodes that do not require the goo.
Is Neurofeedback evidence-based? The International Society for Neuro-regulation & Research lists hundreds of articles about the efficacy of Neurofeedback, including for conditions we support: developmental trauma, C-PTSD, PTSD, ADHD, addictive disorders, anxiety, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME, depression, dissociative disorders, OCD, pain, migraine, insomnia, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s, peak performance.
Research on ISF specifically:
How often are sessions offered? One or two sessions per week is standard. We recommend 2x a week for the first 3-6 week, depending on progress, then transitioning down to 1x a week. Clients who come once a week notice significant effect and improvements but it can take longer for the effects to reach a level of establishment.
Do you treat people with my diagnosis? Yes, but through our private practice. Neurofeedback is both used for treatment/diagnostic purposes and training like working out at a gym (e.g., conditioning/learning/deconditioning). For example, we educating and training the brain to learn new things (conditioning) (or forget old things (deconditioning)) AND we are reducing stress in the body which helps reduce symptoms in other areas of their health.
Can I still smoke/vape/drink/use weed/drink coffee with this? As the body gets more regulated, it may be more efficient in the way it processes things. We see this in increased sensitivity to the effects of substances like alcohol, caffeine, or sugar in some clients. We are sensitive creators of habit but we cannot take a coping skill away without giving you a new one. NFB is the new one.
What about the medications I’m prescribed? You will work with your prescriber regarding the specifics, but generally, antidepressants/SSRIs/mood stabilizers are fine. Clients often train while on these and often use NFB to come off of their medications. They provide regulation via chemicals; the Neurofeedback allows the body to find it’s own regulation again. So, if you’re noticing an increase in side effects from the medication (whether familiar or new-to-you side effects), talk to your doctor. Your system may be metabolizing more efficiently, meaning your body has different needs.
*Benzodiazepines and/or opiates (or any medication that dampens the central nervous system (CNS)) do dampen outcomes but usually more time doing the NFB (80+ sessions) the effects become established. These can mask or confuse training effects, as they have strong effects and side effects. Depending on the quantity, length of time on, and why you’re taking them, Neurofeedback may be helpful now, or not yet. You’ll want to stay in close contact (after every 5-10 sessions or so) with your doctor to frequently evaluate the effects and what your body needs.
Can I do other therapies with NFB like EMDR and Brainspotting and Psychedelic Care? Yes, our approach integrates this fully into your care. Trauma resolution therapies like EMDR and Brainspotting (and other experiential therapies like working with psychedelic medicines). We do these in a retreat format. These have the best outcome once your Neurofeedback training is well established. If you are working with another therapist, we recommend continuing to work with your current therapist. Neurofeedback is likely to both stir up new “content” to work with, and create greater ease in moving through issues you may have been working with in therapy for a while.
Can I use the qEEG as evidence of my disorder? qEEG informs your NFB treatment and over all care, See Neurologist for a complete and full evaluation of your needs. If you are looking for this specifically for court, we would suggest that you schedule a consultation with us.Along with Neurofeedback (in-person or outsourced), this self-paced class is meant to be helpful in recognizing the meditative states with psychedelics, dissociation, and reducing stress. Connecting with the unconscious processes of the body, creating good habits of self-regulation, and initiating states of healing are difficult behaviors to achieve. Neurofeedback Training is for maintenance healing and activating your recovery in your posttraumatic growth and recovery.
*By signing up for this course, you are actively taking responsibility for your your own wellbeing and will not pursue any legal action against the content creators. This is for educational purposes. This does not constitute therapy. Consult a physician or your current mental health provider before engaging.
*This is a donation-based service. Give what you can, however, what we really want is for you to engage with us in our WHI classes. Some are donation-based as well. If free is what you can do, then that is what you can do. You can pay later if you feel the need. We suggest that give what you can and to give what you feel you got from it. We are an independent research institute looking to provide lower cost services to those in need. If you give more, then more will be helped with the donation. Donations are NOT tax deductible because we are not able to maintain the overhead of a non-profit structure, yet.