Rewire Your Mind: The Power of Neurofeedback in Trauma Recovery
Hello, everyone! Alyssia from Southern Pine Counseling here, and I’m excited to introduce you to an insightful guest blog that dives into the fascinating world of neurofeedback in trauma recovery. We all know that healing isn’t a one-size-fits-all journey; it takes a unique approach tailored to each individual. In this article, you'll discover how neurofeedback can empower you to better understand and regulate your brain’s activity, making strides in your recovery process. It’s an innovative tool that many are finding incredibly helpful. So, let’s explore how training your brain can lead to transformative healing!
Rewire Your Mind: The Power of Neurofeedback in Trauma Recovery by Shay DuBois, LCSW
Why Use Neurofeedback In Trauma Recovery?
Finding a therapist is challenging as it is and trying to understand what different modalities do can feel overwhelming, especially if you have experienced trauma and already feel overwhelmed.
So when I tell my clients I think it would be helpful to train their brain, they give me “the look”. The one that asks if my pink hair dye has damaged my brain. However, my clients are used to me asking them to do unusual things like “tummy time to rewire their brain” or “look at a stick to process trauma (brainspotting)”.
What Is Neurofeedback
So what is it that I mean by “train your brain”? I first heard of neurofeedback in graduate school and then at Bessel van der Kolk’s Traumatic Stress Foundation.
Neurofeedback is non-invasive, nothing goes into your brain. Instead we use instruments to read the brainwaves and understand your brain patterns. Once we understand what is being produced it is easier to self-regulate and improve mental health.
The coolest thing is you get to play video games WITH YOUR BRAIN! No hands needed.
There are also options to train while listening to music or watching your favorite show.
How Does It Work?
Clients wear sensors that read the brain waves being produced. Your therapist creates a protocol indicating the brain waves that we would like the brain to produce. If the brain gets into the zone you are able to perform better at the game, see your show, or hear your music. If the brain is outside of that zone, your performance lags in the game, your show becomes fuzzy, you lose volume for your music. Our brains want the good stuff and so they will self correct.
Benefits for Trauma Recovery
By teaching our brains to get back into calm we can reduce symptoms of PTSD, enhance focus, and improve emotional regulation.
Not Just for Trauma
I use neurofeedback with clients for Anxiety, Depression, Concentration, ADHD, and even Performance Enhancement. Studies have been done with adults who have early Dementia and Alzheimer’s as well.
Complementary to other Therapies
I have my clients do neurofeedback at home during the week in between therapy sessions. This way they are benefitting from progressively better emotional regulation and we are able to also do Somatic Experiencing, Compassionate Inquiry, Brainspotting, or EMDR to treat the root trauma.
Neurofeedback Curious?
If you are feeling stuck in your journey toward healing, neurofeedback can be a game changer. Clients typically start to see change after 10 sessions but a full protocol is 20-40.
Every clinic does it differently, but I allow my clients to do sessions from home and charge a flat monthly fee for access to my clinic software.
Some clinics are in person only and charge a per session fee.
Find Neurofeedback Near You
If you are in California and want to work with me email shay@overcomeanxietytrauma.com for a consultation. You can also check out my website for more information www.overcomeanxietytrauma.com .
Otherwise you can contact NewMind or Myndlift to see about clinicians in your area for remote neurofeedback training.
Sometimes it is hard to talk about trauma or you don’t remember what happened but you want change. Neurofeedback can be a real game changer!
I know that you feel stuck, but Healing IS Possible! It might even be a little fun.
About the Author
Shay is a compassionate therapist based in San Diego who specializes in trauma-focused therapy for teens and adults. Having grown up in a home affected by mental health struggles, Shay understands the impact of trauma and anxiety. Through her work, she helps individuals who have experienced abuse, neglect, or chronic illness reconnect with themselves and find peace. Shay believes in a gentle therapeutic process centered on compassion, guiding clients to understand how their past influences their present and supporting them in the journey towards healing and self-discovery.
