Z-SCORE Neurofeedback

Z-Score Neurofeedback has demonstrated efficacy for multiple conditions. An increasing amount of research is being published for Neurofeedback in the treatment of Anxiety, Depression, Concussions and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Trauma, and Optimal Performance clients.

It depends on your current situation, diagnosis, and training goals. After a detailed assessment and clinical interview, we can decide if you are a good candidate for training. We would then move forward and design a personalized program to help you achieve your training goals. Z-score Neurofeedback training may be a great option for people who are not responding to medication, have reached their maximum dose but are still struggling with their symptoms, or prefer non-pharmacological approaches to treatment other than traditional psychotherapy.

Z-Score Neurofeedback training targets and trains multiple areas at once. This means that changes usually occur faster than regular Neurofeedback training. Changes usually occur within 4 to 8 sessions.

Clients usually complete 24-32 sessions though more may be required depending on their training goals. Certain optimal performance clients (executives, athletes, and students without a diagnosis) may meet their goals at the end of 20 sessions. More complex cases may take more than 40 sessions of training.

Yes. We only ask that the trainee stops taking medication during assessments as it does affect their EEG recordings. As the client progresses through the training, the dosage of medication may need to be reduced.

Psychological assessments and reassessments are covered by most insurance companies. Biofeedback and Neurofeedback training may be covered by certain insurance companies for certain conditions. Insurance companies may cover treatments plans approved by a clinical psychologist. Please inquire with your extended health care benefits company and we will do our best to work with them.

Each of our clients is paired with a Neurofeedback mentor who works with the client on a one-on-one basis. After a baseline recording of the trainee’s brainwave patterns is taken, the client begins training their focus and concentration. Complex Neurofeedback software is used to give the client feedback when they are relaxed, alert, and focused. The client gets multiple chances to practice achieving this state. After each round, the mentor gives the client feedback and explains their scores related to their brainwave patterns. This is reviewed at the end of the session with the parents as well. The clients also complete tasks related to their training goals during the session. This can take the form educational games, puzzles, reading comprehension, or other metacognitive strategies to test the client and help them grow.

Initially, drug therapies may be necessary as a short-term solution to reduce the severity of symptoms. Medication may not be a viable long-term solution for some. If medication is discontinued, symptoms reappear because no learning has occurred. Due to the numerous side-effects associated with the medication, non-pharmacological options may be a better option. As training progresses and symptomatology improves, medication may need to be reduced or removed completely.

Neurofeedback training is a non-invasive treatment modality and does not hurt. Electrodes are placed on to the head and ears in a comfortable manner. Clients may feel fatigued at the end of a session because Neurofeedback is essentially a workout for your brain. The trainee is practicing self-regulation, and they may feel tired after a session.

The most common form of intervention for mental health conditions is medication. The pharmaceutical industry has the money and power to advertise where Neurofeedback does not. This is changing as more research is being published to advocate for the efficacy of Neurofeedback. See http://www.isnr.org/ and http://www.aapb.org/ for more information.

Neurofeedback is a non-invasive treatment modality that focuses on teaching individuals to regulate their electrical brainwave activity. No research to date has reported any negative side-effects from Neurofeedback training. Neurofeedback training programs are designed so that only positive, optimal brainwave patterns are reinforced. No negative or unwanted brainwave patterns can be created in this way. As the training progresses, the trainee may notice that the side-effects of their medication are becoming more prevalent (if they are on medications). This indicates that their brain functioning is becoming optimal.

Neurofeedback and Biofeedback techniques are also used in Peak Performance settings to help improve an individual’s level of calm, focus, relax, and alert. This type of training is used for athletes, executives, and students who aim to achieve greater success in their respective disciplines.

Neurofeedback relies on concept of neuroplasticity, which states that the brain can alter its function and reorganize itself in response to learning and other events. Neuroplasticity tends to decrease as you age, so younger clients tend to progress the quickest. This is why it is easier to learn a language or skill early in life as opposed to when you are older. The most common age ranges for training are 8-24 years old. Older clients (55 years of age and over) may need a few more sessions to achieve certain training goals.

Follow-up studies have been conducted for children who received Neurofeedback training and they indicate that their training progress was sustained years after training was completed in most cases.