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How Does Neurofeedback Work?

1/16/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

The most common question I hear from anyone is, "So, how does neurofeedback work?"  It's seems confusing and difficult to understand.  I'm going to attempt to break it down into simple terms, in a way that is easy to understand.  This is how I explain it to new clients and parents.
CONTINUE READING
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Photo Credit: kennymatic via flickr

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Neurofeedback for PTSD featured by The Daily

1/7/2013

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by Nikki Schwartz

Last year journalist Katie Drummond, of The Daily, interviewed Staff Sgt. Justin Roberts, who suffers from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) about his experience with neurofeedback.  
Katie also did her own neurofeedback session with Sue Othmer, of EEGInfo.

Neurofeedback can help reduce the anxiety clients with PTSD experience, because it helps the brain learn to regulate itself by showing the brain a mirror of itself.  Check out this post for more on how neurofeedback works.

It is so exciting to see neurofeedback showing up more and more in mainstream media.  Check this video out for another perspective on neurofeedback for PTSD.  Let me know in the comment section what you think of the video in the comment section.

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Nikki Schwartz is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Oaktree and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients.

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What is a Neurotherapist by Nikki Schwartz
How does Neurofeedback Work? (What is a Neurotherapist)
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How Can Neurofeedback Help?
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What is a Neurotherapist?

12/17/2012

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by Nikki Schwartz

When our brains are over or underaroused, we have trouble focusing and concentrating, planning our day, regulating our moods, attitudes, and motivation.  So, what is a neurotherapist?  And what do they do?

A neurotherapist helps calm the brain by reading a client's brain waves, or EEG, and uses that information to create "feedback" as part of a video game to show the brain what the brain is doing.
What is a Neurotherapist? #Neurofeedback | By Nikki Schwartz, MA, NCC | SpectrumPsychological.net

How does "feedback" help the brain calm itself?

Information on brainwave activity is fed into the computer and is used to control elements of a video game, such as the speed of the spaceship moving through the tunnel.  The video game uses the brainwave activity to adjust the speed of the spaceship, the amount of exhaust smoke, the volume of the video game music, and the visibility of the screen.

When the brain sees that it is controlling what is happening on the screen, usually after a few minutes, it will use that "feedback" to adjust it's own activity to be more calm, more stable, and better regulated.
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How does the brain know it's controlling the game?

According to Sigfried Othmer, in this video from EEGInfo, the brain spends most of it's time focused on itself and it's own activity.  The brain seeks to control the outside world and quickly recognizes that it is impacting the activity on the screen.  It can use the information to regulate it's own activity.

This is a learning process, so the brain is able to regulate itself based on the training provided by the neurotherapist through the neurofeedback process.
Let me know in the comments what you think about neurofeedback for yourself or for your child.  I love to hear from readers and always respond to your comments.

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Nikki Schwartz is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Oaktree and focuses on using neurofeedback, play, and talk therapies to provide practical, effective counseling to families and clients.

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How Can Neurofeedback Help? by Nikki Schwartz at SpectrumPsychological.net
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ADHD Tips for Parents by Nikki Schwartz, MA, NCC at SpectrumPsychological.net
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What is Deep State Training (or Alpha Theta Neurofeedback)?

10/22/2012

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What is Deep State Training or Alpha Theta Neurofeedback? by Nikki Schwartz at Spectrum PsychologicalPhoto Credit: Pink Sherbert Photography
via Flickr Creative Commons 2.0
There is a lot of research that indicates meditation can be very helpful for self-regulation, calming the brain and mind, increasing the ability focus, among a myriad of other benefits.  But how many parents out there can imagine teaching a (neurotypical) child to meditate?  How about a child with ADHD, Autism, or Asperger's?
CONTINUE READING


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How Can Neurofeedback Help?

10/14/2012

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How Can Neurofeedback Help? by Nikki Schwartz @ Spectrum Psychological in Virginia BeachCredit: Pink Sherbert Photography via Flickr
by Nikki Schwartz
Neurofeedback can be very helpful for a variety of of people.  If you get a chance, check out What is Neurofeedback? Neurofeedback or neurotherapy works by helping the client to self-regulate.  So that they are able to wake-up easier, go to sleep easier, focus better, and manage their emotional state more easily. CONTINUE READING



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    Nikki Schwartz, Licensed Professional Counselor

    Nikki Schwartz,
    LPC, NCC

    About Nikki

    Nikki is a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Oaktree.  She focuses on utilizing neurofeedback in the Virginia Beach area, as well as play therapy, and other counseling techniques to help clients and families play, live, and work together.

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  • Home
  • Counseling
    • About Nikki Schwartz, LPC
    • ADHD
    • Anxiety
    • What if Talk Therapy Isn't For You?
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    • Request an Appointment
    • Rates
    • Directions to Our Office
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