Neurofeedback
Achieve Family Therapy is happy to offer you a safe, non-invasive and natural way to train your brain. This is an additional option that goes hand in hand with Psychotherapy. When your brain is trained to work optimally, it allows you to more naturally implement and utilize tools you learn in therapy.
What is NeurOptimal?
NeurOptimal® is a kind of neurofeedback that is different from protocol-based neurofeedback as it has been designed to provide information about the non-linear dynamical activity of the brain as it shifts from moment to moment. Because it tracks the brain so precisely and so rapidly micro-second by micro-second, there is no need for brain mapping. This method does not attempt to force the brain to do anything. Rather, the brain is rewarded immediately and it has been described to me as if your brain has a mirror reflection of itself during training and it is able to use that feedback to optimize itself. All protocol-based neurofeedback equipment run the risk of causing side effects and require a highly trained technician and diagnosis. NeurOptimal® is safe for people of all ages and does not require a diagnosis to label you with a “problem.” Rather NeurOptimal® looks at the person as a whole system and seeks to support the training of the brain to work efficiently and effectively with the other systems in your body.
What to Expect at a Training
When you come in for a training, you will have the opportunity to speak with your trainer and briefly discuss or fill out a survey about any presenting complaints you may be struggling with at the time. Your trainer, will then attach ear clips and two small sensors to your scalp. There is no electricity or current in the sensors so there is no danger to you! The sensors allow the algorithm to do its job. During a training session, the NeurOptimal® software monitors for sudden changes in electrical activity and the software will inform your brain with a sudden break in the music. You get to sit back and relax for 35 minutes while the machine does the work. Even though you may not be consciously aware of what is happening in your brain, your brain is able to recognize and utilize the feedback it receives from the pauses in the music. As you progress through training, you may discuss with the trainer your observations of shifts in your presenting complaints as well as noticing new competencies emerge.
A General Wellness Product
NeurOptimal® is defined by the FDA as a General Wellness Product which means maintaining or encouraging a general state of health or its intended use serves the role of promoting a healthy lifestyle with helping to reduce the risk or impact of certain chronic diseases or conditions and where it is well understood and accepted that healthy lifestyle choices may play an important role in health outcomes for the disease or condition. At times due to environmental factors or genetic predisposition, our brains can become dysregulated meaning the brain is overstimulated when it needs to be calm or under-stimulated when it needs to be focused. NeurOptimal® helps to retrain the brain to work optimally.
Neurofeedback For Children
Since NeurOptimal® is safe to use on children, you may want to allow your child to train or be looking at this for a non-medical model solution to problems. If you are concerned your child may not be ready to sit still for thirty-five minutes, there are options available where your child can watch a movie while training or begin training in increments by beginning with 10 minutes, 20 minutes and finally a 35 minute training. Our trainer is also skilled in offering art therapy exercises in conjunction with your training which often provides a gentle way to process through emotion and encourage healing.