Anxiety
Over the last twenty years relaxation and stress management have been the most common uses of biofeedback and neurofeedback. This training is very useful in treating various anxiety states that range from mild to intense and include:
• Stage fright, public speaking, taking tests, sports competition and other forms of performance anxiety
• Phobias
• Panic attacks

When some people are challenged to perform their brain may over-react in some way. This heightened anxiety can actually undermine their ability to function well. This problem can become a vicious cycle that compounds itself so that when they focus on a new activity they may become anxious, and as they observe the internal increase in anxiety they feel even more anxious. Then as a new life challenge occurs the memory of their previous anxiety response can rekindle the discomfort of the earlier failure to perform.

This type of over-arousal is a result a dysregulated brain and can be easily observed in an EEG. Fortunately, this type of anxiety is highly responsive to neurofeedback training. Just as you can strengthen a muscle in the body with gradual challenges the neurofeedback process strengthens the brain to regulate itself better. Therefore, it subsequently functions better in life’s normal and usual challenges. Once the brain has been trained to self-regulate the mechanism by which it gears up for the challenges it faces, then the brain is no longer as vulnerable to the downward spiral of anxiety.

It is common for the client to gain some awareness of better self-regulation as the training proceeds. At first, there may be a sense of feeling quieter inside and more contained. Later, the client might observe the beginning of an increase in their anxiety level and start to use their skills they’ve learned to calm themselves. As mastery increases they gain confidence in their ability to control and regulate their anxiety. In undertaking this training most people significantly gain the ability to control their anxiety and panic states, to the point that they no longer interfere with their life.

ADD/ADHD
ADD/ADHD can often be a catch all label for a child or adult who has “attention” issues. These issues can range from inattention and distractibility to being over focused and obsessive in their thinking and/or actions. No matter if they are over, or under focused, their “attention” issues lead to disorganization and inability to complete their work in a timely manner. Depending on which area of the brain is affected it can be:
• Over aroused-difficulty falling asleep or calming one's self-adults may self medicate eg. alcohol, tranquilizers, etc
• Under aroused-slow to "wake-up" in the morning, foggy, needing stimulants-coffee, cokes, sugar to get going and complete tasks
• A combination of over aroused and under aroused
• Or, have frequent “static” in the brain where momentary/short lived events disrupt cognitive processing

Neurofeedback works best when the actual issues are clearly identified. Part of our assessment of the individual's problem involves looking at:
• Evaluations by parents and teachers
• Any previous testing by physicians, psychologists, or other practioners
• Completion of an extensive behavior questionaire and selected check lists
• A brain map in some situations
- for more information about Brain Mapping click here

The ADD/ADHD individual can sometimes identify immediate differences in their functioning after beginning neurofeedback. However, keep in mind that using neurofeedback is like taking the brain to the gym and just as it is not possible to “get in shape” physically after only a few sessions the same is true with the brain. It does require from 40 to 60 sessions of neurofeedback to form new “habits” that then create new “brain patterns.” Just like an athlete the brain needs to over-practice so that new behaviors are really “learned” and embedded in the brain.

From time-to-time youngsters may require periodic “tune-ups” as they go through:
• Growth spurts
• Having significant challenges in their lives, such as transitioning from school level to another (elementary to middle school or middle school to high school), or taking important tests, or if there is a lot of upset in the family
• Receiving a blow to the head as might happen in contact sports

Adults may need a 'tune-up" when they feel overwhelmed or have to face stressful events or activities. However, with adults it is unlikely that the individual will need an extensive number of sessions to re-connect to the initial training. A tune-up is usually only a few sessions to get back on track.

Brain Brightening
Do you feel like your brain needs a tune-up? Often after experiencing intense stress for a lengthy period of time and, also, as we age we may find a decline in our ability to:
• Complete tasks
• Pay attention to essential information or remember details
• Remain calm and focused when faced with new or unfamiliar situations
• Recall names, dates or what we walked into the next room to do or get

Any of these situations can cause us to feel distracted or anxious. Certainly that’s when we need to check to see if we could benefit from a “brain tune-up”.
Neurofeedback training may be of assistance if:
• Anxiety is high about “being able to do everything”
• There is a lack of clarity and a feeling of fuzziness
• Feeling dull, foggy and not engaged
• General memory seems to be faltering

Neurofeedback training can assist us to recall information better, can help “brighten” one’s focus, and calm the body and the mind so that personal stress is reduced. This training begins with a thorough evaluation. In addition to assessing the information that’s been gathered, the individual’s difficulties and concerns are taken into consideration in creating a personal program for the client. Brain training can help and support people who are experiencing a general slowing of their abilities, as well as assist them in regaining confidence.

Autism
Autism isolates the child in their own world most of the time. Internally they often experience agitation, fixations, and unpredictable rages. These reactions can be reduced through the use of strong psycho-active medications. However, this intervention has to be monitored on an on-going basis for appropriate dosage by the proscribing physician. It is primarily through the painstaking effort of many caring people - parents, teachers and aides at their schools, and various therapists – that autistic children develop some adaptive behaviors related to other people and situations that they contact in their daily life. With the addition of neurofeedback all the individual interactions and adjunct therapies are supported in a profound way and with powerful results.

All the other therapies work from "the outside in" to modify the child's functioning, whereas neurofeedback can provide the autistic child the means to modify their own behavior and gain a level of skill and confidence that no other therapy does.

Research shows that the autistic child is profoundly over-aroused and is unable to tone down/ diminish their own anxiety. It is vitally important to reduce this intense internal level of arousal and apprehension that is occurring for the child. Neurofeedback can actually provide the autistic child with an experience of safety, calmness, and flexibility that even the least articulate autistic child may experience after only a few sessions. Neurofeedback training works to assist the brain in creating more adaptive behaviors that allow the child to “take in” and integrate other training or experiences. Tics, repetitive movements, stimming, and rocking can all be impacted, and in some instances, they can completely disappear. Long-term training is recommended with autistic children. However, each improved aspect of self-regulation increases the child’s ability to relate and interact in the world and, therefore, improves their quality of life and those around them.

Sensory Integration
Often children with sensory integration issues have specific attitudes and needs that suggest they are actually having difficulty. Frequently their sensitivity shows up in particular ways, such as:
• Being picky eaters
• Needing all the food on the plate separated
• Troublesome labels or textures in clothing
• Attempting to control his/her playmates, environment, and schedule
• Inability to adapt to changes that are introduced without warning
• Having meltdowns when they can’t adjust to minor changes
• Being clumsy or unsure of space
• Receiving bumps and bruises because of consistent awkward and clumsy movements

Often we notice when sensory integration issues are not identified in childhood later as adults they often have major control issues in relationships. They are generally quite anxious in a global sort of way and are unable to identify why. For them there is just a feeling that they need to be “ready” because you can’t be sure about what’s going to happen. They become easily alarmed when unexpected changes to their day occur. This causes alarm because they were not planned, scheduled or anticipated earlier. Family, partners, friends and co-workers often accuse them of being "control freaks." However, in actuality their need comes from wanting to know what is going to happen. Nothing in their world feels safe, reliable or predictable. Neurofeedback training may change their whole experience of life and their interactions with others.

Peak Performance
Athletes, musicians, executives, or any one pursuing excellence in their field most often require arduous and challenging practice/study to achieve their goals.
Sometimes their best performance is blocked or impeded by vague negative thoughts, such as “I should have tried harder”... “I didn’t feel sure of myself”... “I was waiting for the right opening.” These are energy draining and shift the focus away from the goals. Many approaches can be utilized to change this thought pattern, hone skills, refine abilities and develop a personal version of “stage presence.” However, research has shown that neurofeedback is one of the best methods to achieve these goals. As the problem areas are identified a personal program can be designed to overcome these issues and this program can be the corner stone of personal successful achievement. Neurofeedback utilizes operant conditioning. This means that the patient/client is rewarded by sight and sound everytime the brain responds with the desired result. In other words, it gives immediate feedback. It can assist in letting go of obsessive and repetitive negative thinking and it is supportive of being fully present to the tasks, the people, and the goals. Often this training can be short, intense, and have unexpected benefits not only in the pursuit of personal goals, but also in other areas of life.

Aspergers
A child identified as having aspergers often appears less impaired than the autistic child. However, they still have difficulty relating to others and being socially appropriate. Initially they may appear shy, stiff, and reluctant to interact. They are often driven to fulfill an inner need for a lot of “quiet, alone time” and this often results in others viewing them as being unwilling “to be part of the family or group.” At the same time, they are very capable of repeating every piece of factual information they have been told or have overheard. Actually, they are usually hyper-aware of others, but unable to relate to them. Often these youngsters have a tremendous longing to be part of the group, but are totally unable to determine appropriate boundaries when interacting with others are or how to manage their internal anxiety. Neurofeedback can often help them tune in to their body, ascertain appropriate boundaries and diminish their anxiety as they attempt new friendships and acquire new life experiences.

Depression
Neurofeedback training can offer a new modality for treating depressive conditions, as well as anxiety. Depression can result from:
• A genetic predisposition
• Early childhood trauma
• Subsequent physical and/or emotional traumatic experiences as a teenager or as an adult
• A physiological change of unknown causation

Neurofeedback can be helpful regardless of which of the above ways by which the person has become depressed.

Often a brain map evaluation is requested when a client exhibits depression that appears to be the result of a genetic pre-disposition. This is because some families exhibit brain wave patterns that are unique and have been passed down through the generations. In these cases a brain map can assist in the development of the optimun protocol for treatment. With this specific information, the training can quickly assist the client’s mood and ordinary daily functioning.

When the neurofeedback client is also on medication for the depression we recommend on-going consultation with the proscribing physician. It is not uncommon for less medication to be required as the neurofeedback training progresses.

TBI/Stroke
Just as it takes a village to raise a child, those who have head injuries or strokes need a team of health care specialists assisting them to recover as much of their prior abilities as possible. That rehabilitation team often includes a psychologist, a speech therapist, physical and occupational therapists, and other health care professionals. A neurofeedback specialist can be of assistance in supporting all aspects of the patient’s recovery. Neurofeedback can be introduced into recovery process at any time and can assist in the integration of other concurrent therapies.

Even after the completion of the intense rehab process patients may continue to have some of these symptoms:
• Loss of energy
• Headaches and chronic pain
• Dizziness and vertigo
• Memory impairment
• Difficulty concentrating
• Anxiety, depression, and mood swings
• Sleep disturbances and irritability
• Visual perception problems and dyslexia
• Even apparent personality changes
• Seizures also may be observed.

The exercise of neurofeedback appears to support increased blood flow circulation throughout the brain. So that it also assists in supporting the plasticity of the brain to improve old connections as well as creating new connections. In the past it was thought that most gains (improvement) for the patient would occur in the first six months after the initial trauma. However, the most recent studies indicate that with neurofeedback improvement can continue even years after the stroke or head injury occurred. Many individuals have had their lives restored to many more productive years after their recovery had been assumed to have reached the limits of improvement.

If the initial twelve neurofeedback sessions shows some improvement in the patient, then further training proceeds. It needs to be kept in mind that this is a gradual recovery process and the individual is likely to require 50 to 100 or more sessions to make such improvements and retain them.