Maria Clyne "your personal trainer for the brain" has completed EEG Neurofeedback Training in compliance with EEG Spectrum International + Society of Applied Neuroscience.
Level 2 & Level 3 Practicum with Peter Van Deusen - The Learning Curve Inc
You Tube What is NeuroFeedback? EEG Info
NEUROFEEDBACK {also known as EEG Biofeedback/ Neurotherapy).
A truly state-of-the art, cutting edge non-invasive powerful, brain-based technique that trains the brain to regulate & adjust itself to function more efficiently. During the training people learn to control a computer game or produce sounds by changing specific aspects of their brainwave activity. Tiny electrodes are applied to the scalp, which pick up the brainwaves. These waves are ‘fed- back’ to the person in the form of a computer game or sounds. Can help with many issues including
What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback therapy also called EEG neurotherapy, EEG biofeedback or “brainwave biofeedback” is biofeedback for the brain. Simply put, it exercises and helps “strengthen” the brain, calms it and improves its stability. It’s easy – virtually anyone can do it. Think of Neurofeedback as a personal training session for the brain. Training the brain to function at its maximum potential is similar to the way the body is exercised, toned and maintained. Brain training exercises the neural pathways that allow the brain to have better function in a variety of areas. Using computerized feedback, the brain learns to increase certain brainwaves that are helpful for improved function. The brain can decrease excessive fast or slow brainwaves that interfere with good function. Over time, the result is a healthier and better regulated brain. For example, if someone has excessive amounts of certain EEG frequencies (theta or alpha) in the frontal lobe, they might experience depression or OCD (Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder). By training the brain to reduce slower brainwaves and increase faster brainwave activity, symptoms are often reduced. Over time, the new brain behaviour is “learned”.
Neurofeedback uses learning strategies to teach a client to control his or her brain wave patterns. Through the use of specialized computer software and EEG technology , a client’s brainwaves are represented visually (visual feedback) on a computer monitor along with a pleasant tone (auditory feedback). By learning new brainwave patterns clients significantly decrease symptoms of ADD, ADHD, anxiety, depression, addiction etc. Often Neurofeedback is utilized with psychotherapy. Consider a person learning to catch a ball. The key to the person learning this skill is that he or she receives immediate visual, auditory and tactile-feedback. This feedback, along with practise, results in the individual becoming better and better at catching a ball. We often wish that training our brain to do things like concentrating while reading and remaining more focused on a task, could be as easy as learning to catch a ball. With Neurofeedback, “training your brain” can be almost as easy. With “practise” (repeated Neurofeedback sessions) we can often reduce anxiety and depression, eliminate addiction and achieve peak performance levels on the athletic field, in the classroom and boardroom.
Neurofeeback is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment and one of the most compelling examples of the body’s ability to self-regulate and bring itself back into balance. Most importantly it offers individuals an opportunity to participate in their own health. The therapy, to some degree relies on the individual and needs compliance and willingness to challenge and change existing behaviours.
How is Neurofeedback being used clinically?
Substance Abuse/Addiction
In a study soon to be published, Neurofeedback was compared with a successful 12-step programme. The population was crack, cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin users. Sustained abstinence was five times greater with the group that got Neurofeedback training. This confirms previous published studies with equal results for alcoholics. Substance abuse is an obvious form of poor self-regulation and self medication. 50% of this population is ADD/ADHD, many have mood or sleep disorders.
How does it work?
Non-invasive sensors or electrodes are placed on the scalp to record the client’s brainwave activity. The sensors enable the brain wave patterns to be displayed on the computer screen. While in a Neurofeedback session, the client is hooked up to the computer and sends the brain’s electrical information to it. The computer displays this information and sends reward messages. Since it favours reward over non-reward, the brain will respond on a very basic level to the positive feedback .For example, if it is suggested that there should be more beta waves , the brain will make a concerted effort to add more. Auditory or video feedback rewards the client when they meet training goals (more or less of an EEG frequency). By using ‘rewards’ the brain functions will slowly change as the client accepts the rewards and adapts and modifies their behaviours accordingly.
What EEG frequencies are typically trained?
Beta frequencies (12 – 20 Hz) tend to be related to brain activation. Training these frequencies can assist in speech , organization, planning elevating mood and reducing depression, in improved cognitive function and task performance. Training along the sensory motor strip can assist in calming the brain and help with anger, stress related problems, decreasing over-arousal, improving inhibitory control and impacting sleep regulation. Alpha- Theta training ( 8- 11 Hz for alpha and 4 – 8 Hz for theta) used Neurofeedback to guide people into their deepest levels of consciousness in order to facilitate and process psychological issues. This training is often used in transforming depression, addiction, anxiety and PTSD. It also helps enhance creativity and promote deep states of relaxation. This process is done with eyes closed and is often enhanced by guided imagery.
Are you putting anything in my brain?
Nothing goes into your brain. The computer monitors your brainwave activity and helps you train it. It is like riding a bike. You don’t really know how you ride a bike, you just do it. The computer shows you what your brain is doing. It’s like being able to see what your brain is doing when it’s performing at its best. It’s like knowing what it should feel like when you ride a bike correctly , before you actually learn to ride it.
How many training sessions does it take?
A training session is often twenty to thirty minutes long. Initially , two to three sessions a week are recommended – though it depends on the individual. Running up to two sessions a day can be done for accelerated training. Noticeably results typically occur between the first and tenth sessions. In most cases , therapists recommend a minimum of 30 -40 sessions. The goal is to complete enough training to ensure consistent and lasting benefits. Like piano lessons, a lot of practise is needed for it to stick. The brain is learning a new pattern. You are looking for over-training for changes to become the dominant pattern.
How long does the effect of training last?
Clinicians commonly report long-lasting - and more often than not permanent – changes. Once the brain’s normal patterns have been restored , the Neurofeedback training is no longer necessary. The effects of Neurofeedback training are similar to the effect of training wheels on a bicycle. Once you learn to balance by yourself, the training wheels are no longer needed. The body does not forget.
If there any discomfort or side-effects?
The procedures simply monitors information. Sensors placed on the surface of the scalp receive brainwave signals and transform them into musical tones and graphs on the computer screen. We can’t “see” your thoughts, it doesn’t tell us your secrets and there’s no sensation involved, so there’s no pain. No discomfort or side effects have been reported. In fact the experience is most described as relaxing and pleasurable. There are no known lasting side effects after 30 years of research and clinical use.
Can it be used while taking medication?
Neurofeedback, psychotherapy and medications work hand-in-hand. Training can be used for patients on or off medication.