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Email us at contact@neuroptima.co.uk
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Location 1: Camden Therapy Rooms – 152 Camden High St, London NW1 0NE
Location 2: Align Health – 66a High St, Potters Bar EN6 5AB
Frequently asked questions
What is neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that uses real time monitoring of brain activity to teach self-regulation of brain function through training. It involves monitoring the electrical activity of the brain and it provides the brain with feedback to help create new pathways, new brainwave activity and stimulate increased flexibility within the brain.
How can I best prepare for my first Neurofeedback session?
Give us a call to discuss your interest in neurofeedback. We can explain how it works and what happens in a session. There is no specific preparation that is required prior to your session.
Do the electrodes carry electrical current. Will it shock me?
No. There is no electricity going through the electrodes. The electrodes are used to give access to your brain waves’ activity in real time. Nothing goes into the brain through the electrodes.
How long before I see/feel results?
Some people feel the impact of neurofeedback training immediately, others take a few days or a few sessions to notice changes. You should feel some changes after at least 5 sessions.
Are the results of Neurofeedback long lasting?
Yes. Once the brain identifies and trains at the optimum frequency, it will continue to maintain the positive effects over time.
What happens after each of my sessions?
The results are seen gradually and over time and progress is monitored from session to session. A significant part of our decision making in terms of neurofeedback protocols is based on your feedback to us, as such it is important that you actively engage with the process and provide us with detailed information related to the impact of the training sessions so we can collaboratively work together towards optimising your training plan. You need to pay attention to your behaviour, sleep, mood, anything you may notice different about you and the way you feel and conduct yourself. These must be reported to your neurofeedback practitioner as it provides important information for the training programme.
Can I do neurofeedback training alongside other therapies?
When it comes to improving your wellbeing and mental health, we believe that there isn’t a single right answer for everyone. Some people respond well to talk therapies or other forms of therapy and for some people medication is necessary. Only you can make the right decision for yourself. Neurofeedback training can help you change the way you react to various stimuli as it acts at the root of the struggle and re-routes the brain wave pattern towards one that is balanced and helps your self-regulation. Neurofeedback training sometimes makes it possible for significant progress to be made in therapy sessions as people feel more regulated, safer and are able to tolerate difficult conversations with greater ease.
What conditions can Neurofeedback help with?
Neurofeedback can help with a variety of symptoms including depression, anxiety, ASD, ADHD, insomnia and sleep disturbance, stress, trauma and PTSD, panic attacks, lack of focus, difficulty with memory, migraines and headaches, etc.
Does Neurofeedback hurt?
No. Neurofeedback is a non-intrusive modality and there is no pain or discomfort involved.
Can Neurofeedback be done at home?
There are some products on the market which offer a form of neurofeedback which can be accessed from home. The type of neurofeedback we practice is called Infra Low Frequency (or the Othmer method) and it requires a qualified practitioner to be with you and operate the system throughout your session. Your training programme is not a generic programme but it is designed to your unique needs.
Will I need future sessions?
Typically no, however there are events in our life which may present us with significant challenges and set-backs. Some people find it useful to return to do more sessions. Typically, 5 to 10 sessions should be sufficient but every brain is different so every case will be assessed on its individual merits.
Is Neurofeedback safe for children?
Yes, neurofeedback is a safe method for babies to elderly. There is no age limit or restriction.
Does Neurofeedback have side effects?
Neurofeedback is considered a safe practice with no side effects in the way medication can have side effects and it does not create dependency. There are some factors that can influence the impact of the neurofeedback training: individual variations, the specific brain wave and/or brain regions being trained, the experience of the neurofeedback practitioner and whether a person has preexisting neurological conditions. Some of the reported experiences for neurofeedback can include nausea, tiredness, sleep difficulties, brain-fog headaches, feeling low or over-aroused, fatigued, etc. These effects are transitory and must be communicated to the neurofeedback practitioner as they provide valuable information in relation to the training plan. Collaboration and truthful exchange of information is crucial to the success of the neurofeedback training.
How long is each session?
Each session lasts 50 minutes from which 20 minutes are used to discuss progress since the last session and 30 minutes the neurofeedback training.
How many sessions will I need?
Like with any other kind of training, practice and consistency of practice is important to achieve the desired outcome. No brain is the same and there isn’t a right answer on how quickly the brain responds to training or the number of sessions needed. Typically, it takes at least 20 sessions for a neurotypical brain to achieve and maintain the improved self-regulation and optimum balance. Some people may need more sessions and you can expect neurodivergent brains to take longer to achieve and maintain positive effects.
How often should I have Neurofeedback sessions?
The sessions should be no less than once a week for the optimum training to be achieved. Ideally the training should be twice a week.
Does Neurofeedback put thoughts/ideas into my brain, or can it remove throughs/ideas from my brain?
No. Nothing goes into the brain through the electrodes. They are used to provide the practitioner access to your brain activity in real time.
Can I do Neurofeedback training while I'm taking medication?
Neurofeedback works well alongside medication. Often as neurofeedback improves the neuronal timing and activation of the brain and the brain moves towards better regulated functioning, sometimes, the need for medication is reduced. Some people remain on medication but on reduced doses as the same dosage seems to have a stronger effect on a more efficient brain. Equally, not all people’s medications are affected by neurofeedback training. Any sort of medication is prescribed by authorised medical personnel and we do not intervene in this process, however it is important to know what medication, dosage, frequency of use and impact of the medication on each client. Each case is assessed on its merits. Broadly speaking it helps to have either medication or neurofeedback at a stable place before introducing the other modality. If neither medication nor neurofeedback protocol is stabilised it is very difficult to distinguish to what to attribute the changes in symptoms. A close and honest working relationship is crucial to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the client, which may mean a recommendation to pause neurofeedback whilst the client is stabilising on medication.
Please email us: contact(at)neuroptima(dot)co(dot)uk