Neurofeedback
Fernie Counselling and Consulting is now offering Neurofeedback!
2 New Treatment Devices will be available for treatment.
Traditional Neurofeedback is direct training typically provided by licensed healthcare professionals where the brain is observed in action from moment to moment, while “re-training” the brainwash audio and visual operate conditioning. LENS Neurofeedback is considered “non-traditional” neurofeedback, also called EEG Biofeedback, because it is based on electrical brain activity, the electroencephalogram, or EEG without any audio or visual stimulation. LENS Neurofeedback is promoting self-regulation. Self-regulation is a necessary part of optimal brain performance and function, allowing the nervous system to function better.
What is LENS
The LENS is a specific kind of neurofeedback that operates much more rapidly than “traditional neurofeedback” and has qualities that make it easier to use with people who are unable to sit still. With the LENS, the client doesn’t need to “do” anything, and there is nothing to learn. The typical session with the LENS lasts 3-4 minutes. This means that the LENS works well for people who either cannot pay attention to a computer screen for longer time periods like those used in “traditional neurofeedback.”
We apply sensors to the scalp to capture brainwave activity, processing the signal by our computer software, and extracting information about the client’s brainwave frequencies. Through a patented process, we then bring this information back to the client’s scalp via the sensors. The results are reduction and/or resolution of the symptoms which previously interfered with the client’s quality of life.
Each client’s EEG signals (brain waves) are unique to them and constantly changing. The LENS measures these ever-changing signals of the client and matches the feedback to the client’s own physiological (neurological) fingerprint.
The LENS software identifies the Dominant Frequency at any moment (the frequency associated with the highest amplitude wave) and mirrors this information back to the brain. In other words, the brain is receiving a subset of the information that the brain itself is generating. Regarding wavelength range: the software monitors the EEG at the scalp, and tracks 1-42Hz waves, ignoring any waves above 42 Hz.
Utilizing LENS
The sessions are brief (usually 3-5 minutes), gentle (usually the client feels nothing during the session), and the changes are lasting with some exceptions: with symptoms of progressive conditions such as Parkinson’s and MS and neurodegenerative disorders, the sessions need to be ongoing to sustain the improvement.
The LENS works well with problems of the Central Nervous System, which can be numerous. These include symptoms of anxiety-depression spectrum, attention deficits, behavior disorders, various sleep disorders, headaches and migraines, PMS and emotional disturbances. It is also useful for organic brain conditions such as seizures, the autism spectrum, and cerebral palsy. These are all signs of Central Nervous System dysfunction which result in the body’s difficulty regulating itself.
It may be utilized as the primary modality, or as an adjunct to other therapies. Patients across the lifespan, from young children to older adults, have benefited from LENS; used for over 30 years on infants as young as 3 months of age, and on animals including dogs, cats, goats, chickens, horses, racehorses, chimpanzees, giraffes, and gorillas!
Session Details
The LENS time frame for success is shorter than other forms of Neurofeedback with the number of sessions ranging from 9 to an overall average number of 11 sessions.
Unlike “traditional neurofeedback” sessions, LENS:
- Does not require conscious effort and attention to stimuli by the client.
- Session duration, on average, is a few seconds to several minutes each.
- The number of sessions, on average, hovers around 11 when seen on a weekly basis.
The main goals of neurofeedback include:
Self-Regulation; to achieve a more balanced and optimal state- especially helpful for concussions. (TBI)
Improved Cognitive Functioning: such as attention, memory, and executive functions.
Emotional Regulation: helps individuals regulate emotions and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Behavioral Changes: used to address behavioral issues, especially in children and adolescents with conditions like attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Performance Enhancement: Athletes, musicians, and individuals seeking to enhance their cognitive or creative performance may use neurofeedback to optimize their mental state.
Epilepsy: manage epilepsy by promoting better control of brain activity.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): an intervention to help with PTSD regulate their emotional responses.
Insomnia: to address sleep-related issues by promoting relaxation and improving sleep patterns.
This is a non-invasive technique; nothing goes into your brain, and there’s no need for medication.
Neurofeedback is like a “brain training” where you get feedback on your brain’s activity in real time, helping you learn how to regulate it for improved focus, relaxation, or other desired mental states. It’s a gradual process that aims to empower individuals to take an active role in optimizing their brain function. this process is based on your unique specific needs and goals.