Neurofeedback Therapy Explained
While neurofeedback therapy has been around for decades, new attitudes toward mental health and rapid advancements in technology have sparked renewed interest in neurofeedback therapy as a non-invasive, drug-free option for improving emotional well-being, focus, and overall brain function.
In this blog, we’ll define neurofeedback therapy, explain how it works, outline its benefits, and discuss its uses as a tool for managing various mental health conditions and optimising cognitive function.
What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback (otherwise referred to as EEG biofeedback) is a brain training technique that teaches you how to better regulate your brain’s activity. Using sensors placed on your scalp, it measures your brainwaves and gives you real-time feedback, helping your brain recognise its patterns and gradually shift towards a healthier, more balanced state.
If that sounds a little technical, don’t worry, we’ll explain it all in clear, simple terms below.
What Is Neurofeedback Therapy Used For?
Neurofeedback therapy is primarily used to support mental health, emotional well-being, and neurological function. It’s a non-invasive, drug-free treatment option designed to help the brain self-regulate and improve how it responds to stress, focus, and emotional triggers.
Neurofeedback therapy specifically refers to the therapeutic, clinical use of neurofeedback as part of a treatment program for addressing various mental health conditions. In this context, neurofeedback is used to help regulate brainwave activity linked to particular symptoms or disorders, such as ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, PTSD, insomnia, and many more.
In addition to its therapeutic applications, neurofeedback is also being increasingly used by high performers, including professionals and athletes. This type of application is referred to more broadly as neurofeedback brain training, rather than therapy, as it is designed to help improve cognitive function rather than manage a specific condition. Neurofeedback training helps high performers enhance their focus, reaction times, resilience and stress management, all of which are essential for maintaining peak performance and consistency in high-pressure environments.
How Does Neurofeedback Work?
Neurofeedback works by monitoring your brain’s electrical activity in real time and providing instant feedback to help you learn how to regulate it. During a neurofeedback session, small sensors are attached to your scalp and ears to detect the brain’s electrical activity, also known as brainwaves. These sensors don’t hurt; they simply pick up the natural electrical signals your brain is producing and send them to a screen that displays them for your practitioner to analyse.
Real-time feedback to your brain is provided through the music of your choice (during the session, music plays in the background). You can wear headphones, earbuds or listen to music from speakers. Feedback to your brain is provided through microinterruptions in the music stream, which our Neurofeedback system is introducing based on your actual brain activity at that very second.
There is nothing for you to do during the session. You can choose to read, write emails, do the homework, pay bills, take a nap, scroll or play on your electronic device, watch Netflix or YouTube, eat or drink - any activity is possible as long as the system music is the only source of sound in the room.
For more information about how Neurofeedback works, head to our frequently asked questions or check out our blog, The Science Behind Neurofeedback: From Early Research to Cutting-Edge Brain Training.
Benefits of Neurofeedback Therapy
Depending on the individual and their specific needs, neurofeedback therapy can offer a range of benefits that support both mental and physical well-being. These benefits develop simultaneously, in parallel with one another. As a whole, this non-invasive therapy works by training your brain to produce healthier, more balanced patterns, helping you feel, think, and perform at your best.
Enhances Cognitive Function: By training your brain to produce healthier brainwave patterns, neurofeedback improves memory, clarity, and problem-solving skills.
Helps Reduce Symptoms of Depression: Neurofeedback helps rebalance brain activity associated with low mood, encouraging more positive emotional states.
Boosts Focus & Concentration: Neurofeedback helps retrain the brain’s attention systems, making it easier to concentrate, tune out distractions, and improve productivity.
Supports Better, More Restful Sleep: By helping to calm overactive brainwave patterns, neurofeedback helps to quieten the mind, making it easier to fall asleep and enjoy a more restorative sleep.
Eases Stress and Anxiety: Neurofeedback trains the brain to shift from heightened stress and anxiety responses to a calmer, more relaxed state.
Promotes Emotional Regulation: Neurofeedback helps to stabilise the brain patterns that control emotional responses, helping you feel more balanced and regulated.
Optimises Mental & Physical Performance: Neurofeedback helps your brain function more efficiently and calmly, enhancing things like focus, reaction time, and mental clarity.
Suitable for all Ages: Regardless of what is being treated, neurofeedback is a gentle, non-invasive therapy that can benefit individuals of all ages.
No Side Effects: Unlike medications or other treatments, neurofeedback is entirely non-invasive and doesn’t come with side effects.
Scientifically Proven: Decades of studies have shown the effectiveness of neurofeedback in supporting mental health, focus, sleep, and cognitive function.
Long Term Benefits: During Neurofeedback training, you will learn life-long skills of self-optimisation - your brain retains these skills for the rest of your life and continues to optimise 24/7
Dynamical Neurofeedback®
At EB Mastery, we proudly offer Dynamical Neurofeedback®, a world-class, advanced form of neurotechnology designed to gently support your brain in optimising its own activity. This method helps improve multiple emotional and cognitive functions simultaneously, although each may progress at its own pace.
It is also worth mentioning that after the prescribed number of sessions have been completed, clients develop a lifelong ability to self-optimise their brain activity, 24/7. This means improvements continue even after the brain training program has ended. In fact, many clients report feeling even better a month or two after completing their sessions. As the brain naturally changes over the years, it continues to self-regulate and stay optimised on its own, with no need for ongoing ‘tune-ups’ or additional adjustments.
A Gentle, Science-Backed Means of Optimising Brain Health
Neurofeedback therapy is a promising option for people wanting to manage their symptoms in a non-invasive way, without having to rely on medications or treatments that can bring unwanted side effects. It’s an accessible, science-backed means of developing healthier brain habits and boosting performance, naturally and gently.
Neurofeedback is widely used in overseas countries such as the US, but remains underutilised in Australia despite its efficacy. Which is why, at EB Mastery, we’re passionate about making this proven, drug-free therapy more accessible to Australians seeking to improve their mental, emotional, and cognitive wellbeing.
We offer Neurofeedback Therapy in a calm, supportive environment, with personalised care to help you get the most out of your sessions. If you want to learn more about neurofeedback therapy or how we can help you, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team.
