Not all Neurofeedback is equal. Some types of Neurofeedback systems do not utilize high quality brain mapping to objectively assess where the brain is dysregulated, nor is a clinician able to see how the brain is responding to the training in real time to adjust training protocols for maximal effectiveness. These types of Neurofeedback technologies do not tend to show consistent research results because the ways in which clinicians use these technologies are not standardized.
  At NeuroSource we use the most well-researched and evidence-based Neurofeedback technologies and coaching tools available, and all sessions are supervised by Dr. Foster who is one of the most highly certified and experienced Neurofeedback providers in the world.

Some clients feel tired after their Neurofeedback sessions because the brain is getting a good workout. The drowsiness typically goes away after about 30 minutes.   If someone is on medication as they begin Neurofeedback, they may notice feeling differently than before Neurofeedback. As the brain improves, the need for medication decreases and one should work with their prescribing physician to adjust dosages to adapt to brain improvements.   Some clients have experienced headaches after their sessions, but this is typically due to a lack of sufficient hydration. So make sure you drink plenty of filtered water before your Neurofeedback sessions.   Many Neurofeedback studies have been done and none have shown adverse effects. For a Bibliography of Neurofeedback research, see: ISNR.org

You get to sit in a comfortable chair and watch a movie! You will wear an EEG cap into which gel is applied so the electrodes in the cap can read your brainwave activity and send that information to the computer so you receive feedback about how your brain is performing. You will have a bit of clear gel in your hair, but we clean the gel up after your session.   You get to choose a movie or a game as your feedback. You are coached about how to breathe properly and how to practice being in what we call the AARF state: Awake, Alert, Relaxed and Focused. As you sit, still and quiet, your job is to breathe properly, practice the AARF state, and watch the movie/game with curiosity.   When your brain begins to improve in the areas we are training, the movie or game gets brighter/bigger/louder. When your brain stops improving, the movie gets dimmer/smaller/quieter. This feedback helps your brain improve by learning new brainwave habits.   Kids often have an easier time doing this than adults! Adults want to try and figure out how to get the feedback to increase. When they try to figure out and control the process, they get in the way of their brain learning quickly. Neurofeedback is an opportunity for the brain to learn at a physiological level and in a way that is much quicker than learning at a cognitive/thinking level.   The more you practice proper breathing, being in the AARF state, and curiosity rather than control, the more opportunities your brain gets to learn and create new habits. So leave your control at the door and bring your childlike curiosity. Your brain will thank you.

The answer to this question depends upon the complexity of your case. If one is not on a lot of (or certain types of) medications, is eating healthy, practicing good sleep habits and stress management techniques, exercising, and taking good quality supplements, they may expect to see some lasting changes after 10 sessions. Some people experience changes sooner and others need more sessions before noticing substantial changes.   Once Dr. Foster has your brain map, knowledge about your situation, and sees how your brain responds to the first few sessions, he may have a better idea of how many sessions you might need.   We map your brain several times to get an objective assessment of how well your brain is responding to the training and to help us assess whether we need to employ other brain training techniques to move you along more quickly, but you only pay for the brain map once. Our goal is for our clients to achieve their brain training goals as quickly as possible.   Dr. Foster treats Veterans with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury. These are very complex cases and the VA pays for 30 sessions. After those 30 sessions these veterans typically experience profound reduction of difficult symptoms, improvements in abilities to perform tasks, and often are reducing or even getting off medications.   Dr. Foster has also worked with children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder over the years. These are complex cases, and while they see definite improvements, they often require more sessions than other cases.

Because Neurofeedback is brain training, it is most advantageous that you come a few times a week in the beginning, if possible. Those who do as many sessions as possible in a short period of time see benefits more quickly than those who spread their training out over time. It’s similar to going to a gym - you will benefit more going 3 times a week than going once a week.   However, if your schedule only allows you to come once a week, then that is better than not coming at all.   After you’ve had enough training to see some benefits, then you can start to spread your sessions out over longer periods of time. We help you decide when it is good to begin doing so.

All clients receive a packet of information teaching them about ways they can optimize sleep, improve stress management, and choose brain healthy foods, supplements, and exercises to provide optimal support and nutrition so their brain can transform as quickly and effectively as possible during their Neurofeedback experience.   Clients who want to further optimize their health can schedule Wellness or Epigenetics Coaching with Lee Ann and individualize their lifestyle choices to see even better results.

Each person’s brain is unique and we do not ever promise specific outcomes. However, over the decades we’ve been offering Neurofeedback, our clients have reported many beneficial results, such as:   • Clients with attentional or cognitive struggles report improved Focus, Mental Clarity, and Information Processing Speed. It’s often the case that teachers, parents, partners, and others see the changes in our clients before they notice them in themselves.   • IQ often increases in adults and children after a course of training. (We can assess this with pre- and post-IQ tests for those interested in this service.)   • Mood improvements: Increased ability to remain calm in stressful circumstances, feeling happier, less irritable, less impulsive, and more at ease.   • Memory often improves.   • Communication, language, and perceptual abilities often improve.   • People with migraines and other pain struggles often report reduced or eliminated pain.   • People who have experienced PTSD often report that they no longer experience nightmares, anxiety, agitation, or pain.   • People with head injury report recovery of cognitive functions and reduction of pain and other troublesome symptoms often accompanying head injuries.   • People who have had strokes report that they are able to recover some of their physical and mental functions.   • People with seizure disorders report lessening and sometimes complete cessation of seizures.   • People with tinnitus and vertigo often report reduction or elimination of symptoms.   • Anything that involves brainwave dysregulation can potentially be helped by Neurofeedback.

Many people don’t need to come back at all, especially those that maintain healthy lifestyles that nourish their brain and body for optimal performance.   Some people come back periodically for a “tune-up.” This may happen when they experience a stressful time or an injury. Doing a few sessions of Neurofeedback can help them get back to themselves a bit more quickly.   Some young people who have come for Neurofeedback to address their ADHD have come back for a few sessions when it’s time to take college entrance exams or graduate school exams. They just want to get a tune-up so they can perform at their best.

Neurofeedback is a drug-free treatment that most physicians are not educated about despite the fact that Neurofeedback has been around and researched, even in the Veteran’s Hospitals, since the 1970’s. There are many sound scientific studies on the effectiveness of Neurofeedback for many brain related issues.   For a Bibliography of Neurofeedback research, see: ISNR.org