Neurofeedback

In short, neurofeedback is like biofeedback for the brain. A neurofeedback therapist monitors and measures brain waves and compares what the brain is doing to what you want it to do. During each session, the client is rewarded with a movie, music or video game when the brain is in a comfortable state. The reward stops when the brain enters a less desirable state (such as anxiety). The goal is to “train” the brain to reach a calm, comfortable position. Over time, clients learn how to return their minds to a calm state on their own.

Aspen Valley Wellness offers this highly researched, effective alternative therapy to treat many mental and physical issues. Because insurance does not typically cover this service, we provide a superbill, or detailed invoice, to the client, who then submits it to his or her insurance company to request reimbursement.

Each neurofeedback session is $75, and most people need 20 – 40 sessions to realize sustained changes. Discounts are available when multiple sessions are purchased in advance. Please call the office for details. As we have seen substantial improvements in clients who combine neurofeedback with individual therapy, we also offer discounts on neurofeedback sessions when they are combined with traditional therapy.

In addition to in-office neurofeedback, Aspen Valley Wellness offers home-based neurofeedback training. Home-based training is an affordable alternative to in-office training, and we offer substantial discounts for multiple users of a single device. In-home neurofeedback may be sufficient to meet your needs, but be aware that some conditions have better outcomes with in-office training.

Our executive director, Jessica Harper, who is also a therapist, has received extensive training in neurofeedback and qEEG brain mapping therapies. At this time, she is the only therapist providing neurofeedback counseling. She is a member of the International Society for Neuroregulation & Research (ISNR) and is working toward certification through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). Jessica is part of a large, worldwide mentoring network of neurofeedback and qEEG professionals that includes psychologists, neuropsychologists, neurologists, medical doctors and neuroscientists.

Our brains are flexible. Neurofeedback teaches the brain to change itself through positive reinforcement. This therapy helps the brain improve alertness, attention, emotional regulation, cognitive function and mental flexibility. When practiced with a neurofeedback specialist, a measurable physiological effect on the brain is observed, which over time is likely to become the brain’s regular pattern.

Excessive fast or slow brain wave activity is associated with brain dysregulation and a variety of clinical symptoms. Neurofeedback brain training helps improve self-regulation. Changes in brain waves mean changes in brain timing, and this is what creates a more alert, stable and calm brain. Thus, neurofeedback improves behavior, mood and attention.

Brain training may be used alone or with psychotherapy and medications. As the brain becomes more stable and better regulated, therapy often become more effective, and an individual may be able to reduce or eliminate the need for medication.

* Links to neurofeedback research articles:

MIGRAINES/ HEADACHES:

• https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/155005941104200112
• https://behavioralandbrainfunctions.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1744-9081-6-9

ADHD:

• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF01712768
• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1022353731579

EPILEPSY:

• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10484-006-9002-x
• https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/155005940904000310

AUTISM:

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1750946708001335
• https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J184v06n04_05

ANXIETY:

• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10804-005-7029-5
• https://www.nature.com/articles/tp201324

DEPRESSION:

• https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0088785
• https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2014.00296/full

SUBSTANCE ABUSE/ ADDICTIONS:

• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/1097-4679(199509)51:5%3C685::AID-JCLP2270510514%3E3.0.CO;2-K
• https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/155005941004100313

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY:

• https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/dc99/deb7eaa31df1c1a386f2f8b7e4349fdff24d.pdf
• https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1550059416654849
• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10484-008-9056-z

POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD)/ TRAUMA:

• https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0166752
• https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1039856217715988

INSOMNIA:

• https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10484-011-9165-y
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1087079206000049

MOOD REGULATION:

• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1053811909008465
• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/hbm.20997

PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT:

• https://journals.lww.com/neuroreport/Abstract/2003/07010/Ecological_validity_of_neurofeedback___modulation.6.aspx
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167876002000910
• https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/jsep/37/6/article-p626.xml

OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER (OCD):

• https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/155005941104200310

* Source: http://www.aboutneurofeedback.com/neurofeedback-info-center/faq/how-does-neurofeedback-work/what-is-neurofeedback/