Why I’m so excited about Neurofeedback
In 2023 I started a new training program with Bessel Van Der Kolk’s Trauma Research Foundation to study trauma informed Neurofeedback (NF). What’s that? I got a whole video on it! What I want to express here is why I’m so excited as both a somatic therapist and as the parent of a neurodivergent child.
So NF has been around for a hot minute; in the 1950s a researcher named Joe Kamiya was using NF to study meditation. He looked at human EEG and found a correlation between an “alpha brain wave state” and feelings of peace and calm. Things really ramped up in the 70s and 80s including Lubar’s landmark study in 1989 showing statistically significant long-term improvements in focus and concentration for kids with ADHD. A similar study in 2002 by Monastra and George demonstrated the efficacy of NF in combination with medication and parent training and were shocked to see 24 month followup gains were maintained by the kids without the use of ADHD medication. It’s also been/being studied as a way to support depression, addiction, anxiety, autism, fibromyalgia, epilepsy, OCD, Parkinson’s, PTSD, cerebral palsy, schizophrenia, TBI, Tourettes, and a host of other medical and mental conditions.
Hurray for science! As a somatic therapist I’m super interested in finding new ways to experience embodiedness… especially when it connects my love of neurobiology and movement. Using NF we can literally see what our brain is doing right now and affect that functioning in real time. It’s a great way for visual learners or people who appreciate concrete information to access a deeper knowing about their bodies which can nurture a sense of empowerment and agency. I’ve seen this work well for people who experience a lot of high nervous system activation (stress, anxiety, trauma) to get a grasp on what their body is doing when it often feels so out of control. We can watch our brain waves change as we practice relaxation and mindfulness techniques to really see— is this working?
I am also very excited about the possibilities it offers for supporting neurodivergence including ADHD. Neurodiversity is the wide spectrum of how human brains function which sometimes translates as differences in observable human behavior. As a human species we often have difficulty with “othering” people who don’t strictly adhere to societal norms. Today we still live in largely neurotypical-structured environments that expect conformity, minimal public displays of emotion, and a fairly limited set of acceptable social interactions.
As the parent of an 8-year-old who is just not wired for sitting still, regulating emotions, or focusing on “boring” tasks I find myself constantly researching new ways to engage my kid on their level and without the shame often caused by the pathology model of ADHD-as-disease. NF operates on learning theory and engages kids using visual and audio feedback on what their brain is doing. They can learn what it feels like to shift their focus and attention and get rewarded for doing so, as opposed to punished for not doing so. And while ADHD medication is a great choice for some families, NF may be a potential option for those looking for alternative supports.
As with much of the somatic work I do, it’s easier to do than to explain, so if you’re feeling curious, please reach out to me and inquire about brain training using neurofeedback!