Neurofeedback therapy is a fairly new form of therapy that has been gaining attention recently. It’s a non-invasive, drug-free approach that can help improve brain function. It’s already proven to be successful in helping several different mental health conditions. Anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleeping problems are just a few of those success stories!
If you’ve come across an article, blog, or even a clip on social media about neurofeedback, you probably have some questions, especially regarding the process. Let’s review the neurofeedback therapy timeline and what to expect.
Initial Consultation and Brain Mapping
Similar to other forms of therapy, your neurofeedback therapy journey will start off with an initial intake and consultation. During the initial appointment with a licensed and trained mental health professional, you’ll go over any symptoms you’re experiencing, your history, as well as your overall goals of your sessions. During the initial consultation, you’ll also receive a qEEG brain map, which shows how your brain is functioning in real time with the help of sensors placed on your scalp. This can help your therapist work on a personalized plan just for you based on your brain’s unique patterns.Personalized Plan
After your initial consultation, your therapist will design a personalized course of action based on your brain map. This will consist of the recommended number of sessions (which is typically between 20-40 sessions), the frequency of them (which is typically 2-3 times per week), and the areas they want to target during your brainwave training. The personalized plan is customized based on your brain needs, but it can evolve throughout the sessions depending on how you respond.Active Neurofeedback Sessions
The real work begins during the active neurofeedback sessions. During each session, you’ll be sitting down watching a video or playing a game with sensors on your head that help to monitor your brain waves. When your brain is functioning more regulated, the video or audio will play more clearly. This is like positive reinforcement for your brain to become and stay balanced, which can help it to rewire and strengthen healthier patterns.Progress Review
Progress reviews and adjustments are an ongoing process throughout the sessions. About every few weeks, your therapist will check in with you by running another brain map and assessing your symptoms and progress that has been made. If something isn’t working or if you’re progressing faster than anticipated, they will adjust your sessions accordingly. The overall goal isn’t just to help you relieve or reduce your symptoms; it’s for long-term brain optimization.Tapering and Maintenance
The tapering and maintenance phase only happens if and when you’ve reached your goals or have seen significant progress. When this happens, your therapist may start to taper your sessions so you’re coming less often. Sessions could happen once a week to every few weeks. The tapering and maintenance phase depends on what you and your brain need and how well you can maintain the changes that were made through daily habits.Next Steps
The neurofeedback plan is typically broken out into 5 different phases:- Week 1: Initial consultation and brain mapping
- Weeks 1-2: Personalized plan
- Weeks 2-12+: Active neurofeedback sessions
- Ongoing: Progress reviews and adjustments
- Weeks 12-16+: Tapering and maintenance
