What's Covered
What Is Neurofeedback?
Did you know that the brain can repair itself, provided we “nudge” it in the right direction? Neurofeedback is a brain-based method of treatment that re-trains the brain to function and regulate itself in a more effective way. It teaches the brain to become more adaptive and efficient.
A helpful analogy is to picture “brain training” as a way of learning to ride a bicycle by improving balance. Many of us live life riding that bicycle in the sand; neurofeedback guides us to take that bicycle onto the curb and ride it more efficiently and smoothly. Once we have learned how to ride a bicycle we never forget it; to that same effect, once a brain becomes regulated via neurofeedback, it knows how to get there by itself. It will continue to function at its best, happy self.
Why Is Neurofeedback Helpful?
One of the biggest hurdles the brain can encounter is getting stuck in survival mode as a result of trauma, depression, or anxiety. Some brains are under-aroused, others are over-aroused, and many brains are highly sensitive and react to the smallest of triggers. Neurofeedback allows the brain to become “unstuck” and start the self-healing process. It allows the various parts of the brain to communicate with each other more effectively so that the whole brain becomes regulated. When the brain is regulated, calm, and focused the body is able to fall into its natural state of health.
How Does Neurofeedback Work?
Through the use of EEG brainwave recordings and audio, visual, and tactile signals, the neurofeedback system monitors brain waves and re-trains the brain through auditory and visual stimulation. It is pain-free and non-invasive. EEG stands for “electroencephalogram,” a method of monitoring activity in the brain with tiny sensors placed along the scalp. While the EEG electrodes may look intimidating, they are completely safe and only measure the brain’s natural electrical activity. They do not run any additional current through a person’s brain!
What Is a Neurofeedback Session Like?
You are seated in a comfortable chair in front of a large TV screen. We want you in a comfortable, relaxed state so that the brain can do the work that will be asked of it. As you are seated in front of the screen you will have a tactile bear on your lap. On the screen you will have feedback that could be a variety of things: you may be flying a spaceship through a tunnel, or you may be in a meditative mandala or a nature hiking scene, or you may be watching a Netflix show. With each visual feedback you will be given instructions on what you have to do. Dr. Kakaiya chooses specific sites to stimulate based on your clinical findings and the qEEG (Brain Map). We spend a certain number of minutes at each site and then we move to the next. A full session takes about one hour.
What happens during the first visit?
Your first visit includes a review of your history, symptoms, and goals. If needed, a brain map may be completed to help create a personalized training plan. Dr. Kakaiya will explain the process and answer any questions before your first neurofeedback session begins. The clinical intake is an important first step, since Dr. Kakaiya will be looking at early developmental trauma as well as genetic history of brain and body conditions.
What happens during a session?
A typical neurofeedback session lasts about one hour. Small sensors are placed on the scalp to measure brain activity. The sensors only record brainwaves and do not send anything into the brain. During training, clients simply relax while watching a movie or another form of visual feedback. The brain receives real-time feedback and gradually learns healthier patterns. When the brain does what we want it to do, it receives a reward in the form of tactile buzzing, increased volume, the screen opening wide, or the spaceship going faster. Neurofeedback works on operant conditioning models.
What does neurofeedback feel like?
Neurofeedback is painless and non-invasive. Most clients feel relaxed during the session. Sometimes patients feel a tingling sensation in certain areas, and it is not uncomfortable at all. Afterward, most people feel calmer, more focused, or more energized. Occasionally people report some fatigue after the first 3 to 4 sessions, since the brain is doing hard work during the session. Think of neurofeedback as physical therapy for the brain: after a physical therapy session you tend to feel some tension in the muscle as you build strength, and a similar principle applies with neurofeedback. As we engage with the various networks in the brain and rewire them, there will be some sensations you may experience. Our goal is to minimize side effects so that the journey with the brain is comfortable. The most noticeable effect of neurofeedback is often felt 12 to 24 hours after training.
Do I need to prepare for a session?
For the best experience:
- Get a good night’s sleep if possible. Keep in mind that many people come for sleep issues, so this is not a requirement.
- Eat before your appointment and stay hydrated.
- Use the bathroom before you come in.
Neurofeedback is safe, comfortable, and requires no recovery time. You can return to your normal daily activities immediately after your session.
How Many Neurofeedback Sessions Are Needed?
Everyone’s brain is different, so the number of sessions varies based on symptoms, goals, and progress.
When do clients notice a change?
- Many clients notice early improvements within 7 to 12 sessions.
- More consistent changes often occur after 15 to 20 sessions.
- Many clients complete 30 to 50 sessions for lasting results, while others may benefit from more.
How often do clients come in?
At Healthy Within, all clients begin with 2 sessions per week. This schedule supports neuroplasticity, helping the brain build and strengthen healthier patterns through regular, consistent training. Dr. Kakaiya will not start neurofeedback if you cannot commit to 2 sessions a week. The brain is making adjustments, and if we do not reinforce it with immediacy, the brain regresses back to its old way of being. We do not want you to feel discouraged, so we are strict about the frequency of sessions. A similar analogy is weight training: if you want to build muscle, most trainers recommend 2 to 3 sessions a week for optimum results. We are re-training the brain’s muscles, so consistency matters.
Do neurofeedback results last?
Neurofeedback helps the brain learn healthier patterns, so results often last after treatment ends. A complete course of treatment helps ensure those results hold, and Dr. Kakaiya is meticulous about recommending the appropriate number of sessions to make a lasting change. We also encourage patients to return about 1.5 to 2 years later for 4 to 6 reboot sessions, which allow the brain to remember what it created for itself so it can hold the change. Many of our patients turn to neurofeedback again when stressful situations, losses, or other difficult events occur, because they know how well the brain can re-establish its healthy wiring patterns.
What are the early signs it is working?
Common early signs include better sleep, feeling calmer, improved focus, better emotional regulation, less anxiety, and more resilience to stress. Everyone responds at a different pace, consistency is important for the best results, and treatment plans are always personalized to each client’s needs.
Is Neurofeedback Safe? Side Effects to Know
Neurofeedback is a non-invasive and safe form of brain training that has been used for decades with children, adults, and seniors. It does not send electricity or signals into the brain. Instead, sensors measure brain activity and provide real-time feedback to help the brain learn healthier patterns. The brain is rewarded when it goes where we want it to go, a type of learning called operant conditioning, and that is how change is reinforced.
Are there side effects with neurofeedback therapy?
Most clients tolerate neurofeedback very well. Some people may occasionally experience temporary changes such as:
- Mild fatigue
- Throbbing in a particular region of the temple
- Headache
- Feeling more emotional or more aware of thoughts and feelings
- Temporary changes in sleep or energy levels
These effects are typically short-lived. If they occur, the training protocol can be adjusted to better match the individual’s needs and response. We are especially mindful of highly sensitive brains and adjust the timing and length of the session based on early responses to the training, since with neurofeedback we are changing the arousal states of the brain.
Is anyone not a good candidate for neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback is not a one-size-fits-all approach. A consultation helps determine whether it is appropriate based on a person’s symptoms, goals, and history. Certain medical or neurological conditions may require additional consideration before beginning training.
Is neurofeedback safe for children and seniors?
Yes. Neurofeedback can be used with children, teens, adults, and seniors. Because it is gentle and non-invasive, it is often used to support brain regulation, focus, emotional balance, and overall brain health across different stages of life. It is painless, involves no medication, and progress is carefully monitored so protocols can be adjusted when needed.
How Much Does Neurofeedback Cost?
Neurofeedback treatment plans are personalized, so the total investment depends on each client’s goals, symptoms, and the number of sessions recommended. Because every plan is different, we walk you through clear pricing during your consultation so you know exactly what to expect.
Is neurofeedback covered by insurance?
Healthy Within is a private pay practice and does not bill insurance. We can provide clients with the appropriate CPT codes to contact their insurance company directly and ask whether they may be eligible for reimbursement. Insurance coverage decisions are made entirely by the insurance provider. Many clients use HSA or FSA funds if their plan allows, and we also offer CareCredit financing as an option.
Is a brain mapping procedure required before starting?
A QEEG brain map is recommended because it provides helpful information about brain activity and allows for a more personalized neurofeedback plan. However, it is not required to begin training. Most of our patients like the quantitative data a brain map gives, and after about 25 sessions we will remap the brain to see the changes that have occurred. Dr. Kakaiya has extensive experience creating effective neurofeedback protocols and can determine the best approach for each client, with or without a brain map.
Does Neurofeedback Actually Work?
Neurofeedback has been studied for decades and has research supporting its use for improving brain regulation, attention, emotional control, and overall brain function. Research has shown promising results for concerns such as ADHD, anxiety, stress, sleep difficulties, and nervous system regulation.
How has neurofeedback therapy helped Healthy Within clients?
Every client responds differently, but over the years, Healthy Within has seen clients make improvements in areas such as:
- ADHD: Improved focus, attention, impulse control, and ability to complete tasks.
- Anxiety and stress: Feeling calmer, less reactive, and better able to regulate emotions.
- Autism: Improvements in regulation, flexibility, communication, attention, and managing sensory challenges.
- Tics: Some clients have experienced reductions in tic frequency and intensity.
- Misophonia: Some clients have reported improved tolerance to triggering sounds and reduced emotional reactions.
- Sleep concerns: Improved ability to fall asleep, stay asleep, and feel more rested.
- Trauma and emotional regulation: Increased resilience and ability to handle stress.
Many families notice changes such as improved patience, fewer emotional outbursts, better frustration tolerance, and increased confidence in daily life.
What does the research say about neurofeedback therapy?
Neurofeedback research continues to grow, with studies exploring its effectiveness for ADHD, anxiety, autism-related symptoms, epilepsy, sleep, trauma, and other areas of brain regulation. You can review a detailed neurofeedback research bibliography here. Neurofeedback is not a replacement for all forms of care, but it can be a valuable tool as part of a comprehensive treatment approach. Results vary depending on each person’s brain, goals, consistency, and response to training.
Who Is Neurofeedback For?
Neurofeedback can be used for children, teens, and adults who want to improve brain regulation, focus, emotional balance, and overall brain health. It can support individuals with specific concerns, as well as those looking to optimize performance and wellness.
What conditions do you treat with neurofeedback?
At Healthy Within, we commonly work with clients experiencing:
- ADHD: Supporting attention, focus, impulse control, and self-regulation.
- Anxiety and stress: Helping the brain develop healthier responses to stress and improve emotional regulation.
- Autism: Supporting regulation, sensory processing, flexibility, attention, and daily functioning.
- Sleep concerns: Improving relaxation, sleep quality, and healthy sleep patterns.
- Depression: Improvement in mood and motivation.
- Trauma and PTSD: Supporting nervous system regulation and resilience.
- Neurological conditions: Supporting brain function and regulation for concerns such as migraines and other neurological conditions on a case-by-case basis.
- Concussion recovery: The faulty wiring that can occur after a hit to the brain is altered positively after neurofeedback. Healing of the concussed brain can reduce brain fog, cognitive struggles, and sensory overload.
While neurofeedback is not a cure for every condition, many clients have reported improvements in areas such as tics, misophonia, emotional regulation, and sensory challenges through individualized training.
Is neurofeedback different for children and adults?
Neurofeedback is personalized for every client. For children, sessions are designed to be comfortable and engaging, often using movies or interactive activities while the brain receives feedback. Adults may seek neurofeedback for symptom support, stress management, sleep, focus, or improving overall brain performance. Treatment is adjusted based on each individual’s goals and brain patterns.
Can neurofeedback be used for wellness and performance?
Yes. Neurofeedback is not only for people with diagnoses. Many individuals use it to support focus and productivity, better sleep, stress resilience, mental clarity, peak performance, and overall brain health.
Ready to get your brain functioning at its best?
Healthy Within is San Diego’s leading brain & wellness center, specializing in non-invasive neurofeedback therapy and qEEG brain mapping to help retrain the brain to regulate itself, naturally and without medication. Request a free consultation with Dr. Kakaiya to determine whether neurofeedback can help you or your family.
Why Consider Neurofeedback Instead of Medication?
First, it’s important to note that Neurofeedback has been around for half a century. Neurofeedback began in the late 1950s and early ’60s through the work of both Dr. Joe Kamiya at the University of Chicago and Dr. Barry Sterman at UCLA. While studying consciousness, Dr. Kamiya discovered that people could learn to alter their brain activity by using a simple reward system. This was the first recorded EEG neurofeedback training.
Just as most medical schools still do not have any courses on basic nutrition for doctors, most medical schools and graduate schools of psychology do not have any courses on EEG neurofeedback. Pharmacology has become prevalent in our culture, and major drug companies spend billions of dollars in marketing their medications. The United States is only one of two countries that are allowed to directly market medications to the public, and consumers should not be making decisions about what medication they should be on. Our brains are regulated via biochemistry and electrical activity. By teaching the brain to observe itself and providing some alternatives waves that can regulate it, the brain becomes an organ that knows how to heal itself without the need to take medication. Our bodies can be miraculous when we give them a proper healing path to follow!
Neurofeedback Terms to Know
Neurofeedback
A brain-based training method that uses real-time feedback to help the brain learn to regulate itself more effectively. Also called EEG biofeedback or neurotherapy.
EEG (electroencephalogram)
A way of monitoring the brain’s natural electrical activity using tiny sensors placed on the scalp. The sensors only read activity; they send nothing into the brain.
QEEG / Brain Map
A quantitative EEG that measures your brainwave patterns and creates a baseline map used to personalize your training plan. Learn more about brain mapping.
Operant conditioning
Learning through reward. When the brain produces a healthier pattern, neurofeedback rewards it with sound, movement, or a clearer screen, reinforcing the change.
Neuroplasticity
The brain’s lifelong ability to rewire itself by forming new connections, which is what makes neurofeedback training possible.
Arousal state
How activated or calm the brain is. Neurofeedback helps move an under-aroused or over-aroused brain toward a more balanced, regulated state.
About the Author
Healthy Within is San Diego’s leading brain & wellness center, specializing in non-invasive neurofeedback therapy and quantitative EEG brain mapping. Founded by neuroscientist Dr. Divya Kakaiya, our clinic provides drug-free neurofeedback treatment for ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, migraines, & more. We help kids, adults, and seniors restore cognitive balance and brain fitness. Contact us to request your consultation. (Private pay; no direct insurance).
