Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback that provides real-time brainwave activity on a computer-based program. The information is measured by sensors placed in different areas on the scalp.

There are numerous types of Neurofeedback therapies. I offer Traditional Neurofeedback, LENS Neurofeedback, and HEG Neurofeedback. All of these therapies are non-invasive and can provide clients with positive, long-lasting changes.

Some clients from out of town may wish to book intensive treatment sessions as there are very few practitioners in BC who offer these specialty services. Please contact directly for more information.

Traditional Neurofeedback

I refer to Traditional neurofeedback as "Brain Training". The process is typically done over several weeks and the focus is on training the brain to behave according to the therapeutic goals. The initial appointment involves a full EEG (electroencephalogram) map of the brain. This is highly useful information which can help us gain a comprehensive understanding of client's presenting concerns. During subsequent sessions, training is done through games and watching shows on a monitor. The screen will either dim or brighten depending on what the client's brainwave patterns are doing. This real-time feedback helps guide clients towards more optimal brainwave activity, and ultimately, patterns. Treatment is uniquely tailored to each individual. The EEG cap records brainwaves in real time with multiple sensors. It is a non-invasive treatment and all changes occur by efforts made by the client through repeated practice.

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LENS Neurofeedback

LENS (Low-Energy Neurofeedback System) works by gently disrupting unhelpful brainwave patterns and allowing the brain to create new, optimal neural activity patterns. It is much faster than Traditional Neurofeedback and positive change can be noticed immediately for some sensitive clients. LENS neurofeedback is not diagnosis specific meaning in many cases, it is a generalized process which optimizes brain function. It is like pressing the "reset" button for stuck, unhelpful patterns.

A useful analogy is to imagine a snowy hill. Each time the toboggan goes down the hill, it is more likely to go right back into the track it made previously. The track is reinforced with each repetition. The same thing happens within us! The more times you think a thought, repeat a belief, or experience a pain signal, the further engrained it becomes. LENS helps disrupt these patterns like a fresh layer of fallen snow, allowing the brain to create new, more helpful patterns. The result is greater relaxation, a sense of ease, and improved emotional resilience.

Clients usually report feeling clear, calm, and fully present immediately after neurofeedback. The progression of states experienced by clients follows a predictable pattern that parallels meditation benefits. Some of these benefits include letting go of stuck emotional states, and balancing energy between emotional and behavioural extremes. LENS helps us foster a sense of centeredness and clears away distractions, allowing us to become fully present. With continued sessions, clients may progress through increased awareness, clarity, energy, joy, calmness, focus, and peace. LENS works well for people of all ages.

HEG Neurofeedback

More information on HEG Neurofeedback coming soon!

Benefits

LENS works well with problems of the Central Nervous System, which include but are not limited to:

Pain - Brain-generated pain (mismapping the origins and qualities of signals), and vascular pain, headaches and migraines.
Addictions/Dependencies - Lack of clarity about emotions and self-comforting, defensiveness, argumentativeness and cynicism.
Performance Optimization - Increases in functioning in the above areas in absence of any diagnosis
Organic Brain Conditions - Seizures, ADD, ADHD, the autism spectrum, and cerebral palsy. (These are all signs of Central Nervous System dysfunction which result in the body’s difficulty regulating itself)
Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury - The LENS works extremely well with the symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury, no matter how long ago the incident occurred. The trauma can be from a physical blow, a concussive injury, a psychological incident (PTSD), or any other incident(s) which results in a decrease in cognitive ability.
Cognition - Problems sequencing, memory, providing and maintaining attention, concentration, clarity and organization.
Mood - Anger, depression, sadness, explosiveness, PMS, PTSD and Trauma, Birth Trauma, Symptoms and emotional disturbances.
Motor - Lack of grace, problems of eye-hand coordination, balance and tremor.
Motivation - Problems initiating tasks, shifting from one activity to another, and/or completing tasks, attention deficits.
Anxiety - Problems of anxiety system activity (too much uncomfortably-contained energy), persistent anxiousness, restlessness, hyper-vigilance, rumination, agitation, distractibility, difficulty breathing, palpitations, tremor exacerbation, and sleep interruption/ nightmares.
Fatigue - Fatigue & various sleep disorders.
Reactivity - Hyper-reactivity, hypersensitivity, multiple chemical sensitivities, Reactive Attachment and Bipolar Disorders.

How it Works

The brain is a complex, sophisticated, bioelectrical system comprised of billions of neurons that control all aspects of the human experience. Every thought, sensation, movement, and emotion are brought about by the electrical firing of neurons in the brain. Billions of these neurons synchronously fire together to emit waves of bioelectric energy that can be detected in the form of brain waves.

Healthy brain waves are balanced and predictable. In other words, a balanced brain produces the appropriate brain waves at the appropriate times. Brain imbalances occur when the brain is injured or stressed, which can lead to a wide range of symptoms, including anxiety, ptsd, fear, inability to focus, and more.

The effectiveness of neurofeedback from an electrochemical level stems from its ability to interrupt unhealthy brain wave patterns and stimulate new, healthy ones. Much like rebooting a computer, it stimulates the brain to reset itself and develop new, healthy patterns.

There is little to no risk associated with neurofeedback. The amount of energy being used by the LENS technology is extremely minimal. The EEG Amplifier we use puts out a signal that is equivalent to about 1/100th of the strength of an AA battery, and far below anything a person or dog can feel or detect. We also use custom settings for each client and are able to optimize them as we learn more about how their brain responds to the stimulation.

Safety & Efficacy

With LENS, 86% notice improvements and nearly every client experiences improvement by the third session. Depending on the symptoms and disorder, a typical course of treatment is between 15 and 20 sessions with each session lasting between 15-30 minutes. Positive changes endure months and even years after the final session. Improvements with autism, recovery from stroke or traumatic brain injuries, or genetic predisposed conditions generally take longer for resolution of symptoms.

LENS is an FDA-certified Class II device. LENS neurofeedback is a non-invasive treatment during which people often report feeling comfortable and calm. In over a million sessions, there have been no significant side effects. Because the brain responds to LENS by reorganizing itself, there may be a new awareness of existing symptoms, such as feeling fatigued, wired, or light-headed. These short-term feelings tend to correct themselves quickly. It is not necessary to be off medications, drugs, or alcohol before LENS treatment. Please communicate with your prescribing physician about your changing needs for medication. Many people report decreasing their use of medication, and feeling less interested in recreational drugs and alcohol after treatment with LENS.

A controlled study of 100 subjects with diagnosis of ADD, traumatic brain injury and bipolar disorder showed that 90% of them did better after LENS (Larsen, Harrington, & Hicks, 2006). Improvement has been reported in most of the subjects (N = 2500, in approximately 90,000 sessions as of 2005) who have been treated with the LENS. For clients who experience other diagnoses or concerns such as fibromyalgia and explosive autism, the success rate of treatment reaches over 80%.