What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive, research-supported brain training based on the principles of neuroplasticity and operant conditioning. It works by detecting the electrical activity of your brain using electroencephalography (EEG) and providing you with clear, immediate feedback about changes in your brain activity.
Through repeatedly noticing feedback about your brain activity (literally neuro-feedback), your brain makes thousands of small adjustments about what type of activity to engage in.
Many clients find the benefits last after a full course of training (often around 30 sessions), and some return for occasional top-up sessions. For many people, training can lead to less stress, better mood, better performance, improved sleep, and a host of other benefits.
Neurofeedback is part of our Neurofeedback Program: every session also includes Vielight® at no extra cost.
What Type of Neurofeedback Do You Use?
We use NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback. NeurOptimal® works by providing clients with auditory feedback (i.e. a small interruption in a song you’re listening to) each time your brain makes a rapid change in activity.
This feedback can be thought of like the rumble strips on the highway: each time your brain suddenly changes, you receive feedback and your brain has the chance to self-correct. Over time, your brain internalizes this feedback and learns to function more effectively.
Does Neurofeedback Work For Everybody?
Just like medication or psychotherapy, not everyone responds to Neurofeedback. Around 10-20% of clients report no noticeable response after 10 sessions. However, for the 80-90% who do respond, Neurofeedback can have a meaningful impact on quality of life.
What Does Neurofeedback Help With?
Clients commonly report:
- Stress ReductionRelief from daily stress and tension
- Better Anxiety ManagementLess anxiety and a more relaxed mind
- Mood EnhancementA steadier, more positive mood
- Improved FocusBetter concentration and less distractibility
- Better SleepBetter sleep patterns and sleep quality
- Enhanced PerformanceBetter performance in sports, work, and play
Further, because brain dysfunction is a common feature of many diagnoses, Neurofeedback can help with symptoms associated with trauma, chronic pain, Post-Concussion Syndrome, long COVID, brain fog related to cancer treatment, and more. If it’s a brain-based problem, Neurofeedback can be a brain-based solution.
What are Neurofeedback Sessions Like?
- 1Before Your Session
Begin your journey with a Free Phone or Video Consultation to:
- Learn about the Neurofeedback process
- Get your questions answered
- Complete a medical screening to ensure Neurofeedback will be safe and helpful
- 2During Your Session
- Relax in a recliner chair as sensors are placed on your ears and scalp
- Enjoy 30 minutes of Neurofeedback training followed by 20 minutes of Vielight Brain Red Light Therapy with your trainer available at the press of a button
- The trainer will return at the end of your session, remove the sensors and explore how you’re feeling and how your session went
- 3After Your Session
- Most clients report feeling relaxed, calm, and clear-headed — similar to meditation
- There’s no homework or special post-session care needed; pay attention to how you’re feeling and behaving in the days after your session and monitor for results
Is Neurofeedback Covered By Insurance?
Our founder Nigel Barnim is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying). As such, neurofeedback sessions may be eligible for insurance coverage, including through:
- Extended Health Benefits (EHB)
- Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) claims
- Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) benefits
Notably, although more economical than In-Clinic sessions, rentals are not eligible for insurance coverage, though they are often available at discounted rates during promotional periods or by referral. Sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear about upcoming offers!
Combining Neurofeedback and Psychotherapy
Beyond neurofeedback, our founder Nigel Barnim is a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying) offering one-on-one talk therapy. These two tools target mental health from different angles, and can be complementary when combined. If you’d like to talk things through as well as train your brain, it may help more than either tool in isolation. Learn more about what that looks like here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Neurofeedback safe? Are there side effects?
Neurofeedback is like exercise for your brain. Just like a new exercise routine can leave you feeling both invigorated and exhausted, some risks when starting NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback include feeling tired, out-of-it, or getting a headache after your initial sessions. These are rare (less than 10% of clients) and subside within 24 hours. Again, just like exercise these tend to go away after your first few sessions.
In fact, compared with other neurofeedback devices, NeurOptimal® has a lower chance of producing negative side effects due to a less forceful style of training the brain.
When does Neurofeedback start working? How long does Neurofeedback last?
It takes approximately 5-10 sessions to begin noticing results, though 10-20% of clients report significant changes in 1-2 sessions, and 10-20% of clients report no noticeable changes after 10 sessions.
A normally-responding client typically begins by noticing positive effects like feeling calm, present, and less reactive in the 1-2 days after their initial sessions. This is a good sign that their brains will respond effectively to training. Over time these benefits begin to deepen and last longer between sessions, until eventually their brain internalizes this new way of functioning and no longer needs sessions to maintain it, usually around 30 sessions, though this also varies from client to client.
Is Neurofeedback a medical treatment? Is it well-researched?
Although there is a growing body of research supporting the effectiveness of neurofeedback, it generally falls under the umbrella of complementary and alternative treatments. In particular, NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback is a training tool and does not diagnose, treat, mitigate, prevent or cure any disease, disorder or abnormal physical state, nor does it restore, modify or correct the body’s structure or functioning.
Don’t see your question? Feel free to reach out via the contact page and we’ll do our best to answer within 24 hours.
Learn More
- Please see our Speaking Page for podcasts, conference presentations, and lectures given by our founder Nigel Barnim
- The best written introduction to Neurofeedback is the book A Symphony in the Brain by Jim Robbins
- For more information on NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback please visit the NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback website. (select “International” when visiting to visit their research page)
- For more information on Vielight Brain Red Light Therapy, see the Vielight Website
- For a discussion on Neurofeedback in trauma treatment, please see the chapter on Neurofeedback in The Body Keeps the Score, or the book Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Developmental Trauma