Neurofeedback

Life Point Counseling is pleased to offer Neurofeedback Training at our Sheboygan location. Our neurofeedback team consists of Angela Wessels, LPC NCC BCN, and Justin Langdon, Neurofeedback Technician. 

So what is neurofeedback? Neurofeedback is a non-invasive way to train the brain to run more efficiently. The human brain creates electricity, and this electrical activity of the brain has a “language” all its own. During neurofeedback training, your brain is shown its own electrical activity in the form of games and animations on a TV screen, and it learns to modify how it operates from receiving this information (strange, but true!). Neurofeedback is often described as fun or relaxing, and the side effect risks are minimal. The most common side effects are a mild headache or fatigue.

What are the benefits of neurofeedback? Other approaches to improving mental health interact with the mind. With neurofeedback, you are able to directly influence the functioning of your own brain. Your brain is the control tower of your whole body, and when it runs more effectively, you can feel the difference. Some benefits of a well-trained brain may include improvement in how big emotions are experienced, increased sleep quality, and a more consistent ability to feel calm and focus in a variety of daily events. Neurofeedback can be a great option for people who have tried various types of psychotherapy and haven't achieved the results they were hoping for. Neurofeedback can also be beneficial for training the brain to calm and regulate itself if there is a history of trauma exposure.

What does a neurofeedback session consist of? A neurofeedback training session involves sitting in a chair in front of a TV, and having several sensors placed on specific spots on your scalp. These sensors "listen" to the electrical activity your brain is making. Specialized computer software is used to monitor this electrical activity. While you watch a game/animation on the TV in front of you, the software changes what you are watching based on your brain's electrical activity. Your brain begins to learn how to modify its own functioning just by watching this animation (feedback). 

Neurofeedback training sessions are typically 5-30 minutes of training. The more training sessions you do, the more your brain learns to change its electrical patterns of activity. Generally a minimum of 25 training sessions are required to experience changes that last. The goal of any neurofeedback training program is for you to experience long-term changes in the way your brain operates.

Neurofeedback training is generally not covered by insurance. While neurofeedback has been around for decades, coverage by insurance plans is rare. We have payment plans and financing options available to make this service accessible to you. Our neurofeedback team is passionate about helping military and first responders - ask us about our discount rates for these groups.

For additional information, read our FAQ sheet here. To schedule an appointment to learn more, please contact Life Point's Sheboygan office.