In the mental healthcare industry, an innovative and unique treatment has jumped to the forefront of mainstream discussions. It’s called neurofeedback and for many people, it’s an outstanding therapy that can help with a wide range of mental health struggles. As a leading practitioner of neurofeedback training in Denver, we know all the ins and outs of this science-backed treatment.
Using our decades of experience, we have created this detailed guide to help you learn all about this therapy and what it has to offer you.
Defining Neurofeedback
Neurofeedback is actually a type of biofeedback therapy, so let’s define that first. Biofeedback is a therapeutic technique that provides real-time information on your physiological functions to help you gain better control over certain functions, like your heart rate or muscle contractions.
Neurofeedback uses the same technology, but for a different purpose. As the name implies, neurofeedback provides instantaneous information about your brain activity and helps you find awareness of your cognitive patterns, so that you can start to master them. Patients work through a series of mental exercises at each session to correct cognitive imbalances and form new neural pathways.
The History of Neurofeedback
Believe it or not, neurofeedback was actually first explored and developed in the 1960s (Neurofeedback Today). Dr. Joe Kamiya at the University of Chicago was one of the first researchers to explore this therapy by first attempting to elicit certain brainwave activities in humans.
Around the same time, Dr. Barry Sterman of UCLA was studying brain activity during sleep in cats. In one of his first experiments, he rewarded cats each time their brains would function at speeds associated with relaxed states and noticed that the cats became more relaxed in general. Dr. Sterman and Dr. Kamiya have both been largely credited with founding the modern practice of neurofeedback therapy.
As time progressed, Dr. Sterman and other researchers continued to conduct other experiments with neurofeedback that emphasized simple reward systems for desired behaviors. More and more researchers began to investigate the positive effects of this technology and how it could be used to treat a variety of mental health conditions.
The Science Behind Neurofeedback
There is a significant body of scientific research that has shown the effectiveness of neurofeedback therapy. Across all of these studies and findings, the science behind the practice shows that it relies on two well-documented concepts:
- Neuroplasticity – This term refers to your brain’s ability to change its structure, functions, or connections in response to certain stimuli. The brain is a highly malleable organ that can be changed and reshaped through experiences. For instance, when you learn a new language, your brain will experience structural changes and form new neural connections.
- Operant Conditioning – If you’ve heard of Pavlov’s Dog experiment, then you’re likely already familiar with the concept of conditioning. Operant conditioning is a type of learning that reinforces desired behaviors or responses through positive reward systems. Over time, the individual will fully adapt to the new behavior even without the presence of the reward system.
Neurofeedback has been shown to be effective as a treatment for many mental health afflictions because it is personalized to the individual and treats the problem at the source: your brain.
What Does Neurofeedback Training Look Like?
There are multiple different types of neurofeedback training today, but the basic principles of the therapy remain the same.
During a typical session for neurofeedback training in Denver, you’ll wear EEG sensors on your head and a trained neurofeedback clinician will guide you through a series of mental exercises. When your brainwaves achieve the desired behaviors/patterns, you’ll be rewarded to reinforce that behavior. That reward may be a song that you enjoy or other external stimuli.
When your brain patterns fall outside of desired ranges, the reward is taken away by your clinician. Given enough practice, your brain will literally start to change by forming new neural pathways that reduce symptoms and improve your cognitive functionality.
Can Neurofeedback Training Help You?
Everyone’s brain is different, but the consensus across the scientific community is that neurofeedback can help just about anyone. Whether you struggle with a mental health disorder or not, there are a lot of benefits associated with this therapy.
Research has shown that neurofeedback can be especially helpful for individuals who struggle with mental health conditions like:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Attachment disorder
- And more
This therapy has also been shown to be effective for things like memory loss, concussions, migraines, and other conditions.
Get Started with Neurofeedback Training in Denver
Are you interested in trying a brain training program? Then you’ve come to the right place.
Braincode Centers is one of the leading practitioners of neurofeedback therapy in the entire Denver metro area. After a brief consultation and a qEEG brain map, we will build a customized neurofeedback program/treatment plan to specifically address your mental health needs. Our clinicians will diligently track your progress and make adjustments over time to your treatment plan. And we can seamlessly integrate your neurofeedback plan alongside any existing treatments or ongoing therapies.
Contact Braincode Centers today to book your consultation for neurofeedback training in Denver.
