How to use neurotherapy for anxiety and trauma
I learned about what neurotherapy is and why it is so powerful when researching treatments for my symptoms of anxiety and trauma, which I developed as a result of the circumstances of my birth. You can read more about my story and how I used mindfulness (part 1) and neurotherapy (part 2) for anxiety and trauma here.
At the time, a new book on trauma had just been published and was receiving glowing reviews. In this book, the author recounts stories of his own work and those of top specialists around the globe. (You can buy his book titled ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ on Amazon US and Amazon UK.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking to understand trauma and seeking proven ways to overcome it).
In a moving case study, he tells the story of a woman whose childhood left her severely traumatized and dissociated.
Finally grown up but without any family, education, money or skills she started neurofeedback therapy. Half a year later, she had stopped dissociating and was able to calm herself down. She could focus and begin talking about her experiences in talk therapy.
For the first time in her life, she was able to trust others and her numerous learning disabilities subsided. Four years later, she graduated near the top of her nursing school class and now works full time as a nurse at a local hospital.
While my own story is very different, I could very well relate to many of the young woman’s symptoms.
I intuitively knew that I had to explore the potential of neurofeedback for anxiety and trauma. So I signed up for the recommended bundle of twenty sessions.
When I started following a course of neurotherapy for anxiety and trauma with an experienced therapist, I noticed remarkable improvements in my mental wellbeing and physical vitality after only a few sessions. After half a year I was effectively healed.
I did not longer feel hyper-aroused or anxious. My focus and memory dramatically improved. And the dissociating feelings and overwhelming emotions had disappeared. I aslo feel much less tense. I sleep much better. My nightmares and unsettling dreams subsided. And I woke much better rested in the mornings.
These days, I’m less easily overwhelmed by loud noises and find it easier to make daily life decisions. I’m a lot more patient and able to be fully present with others. My motivation is back.
And I’m able to set myself goals and calmly and persistently work towards them step-by-step. I’m often amazed just how calm, focused and sharp I manage to remain now, even in very stressful situations which many other people seem to be struggling with.
Most noteworthy, I’m able to lead a productive, happy and connected life again. I feel like myself again and I enjoy life and look forward to the future.
I was amazed by the power of neurotherapy for anxiety and trauma. It healed me whole-heartedly where so many other therapies had failed completely. I believe that this treatment has the potential to transform the lives of many other people.
What follows is an overview of what neurotherapy is, how it works and who can benefit. My goal is to help you evaluate if neurotherapy may be for you and how to go about getting the best possible treatment.
Disruption to these patterns leads to a wide range of difficulties, such as depression and anxiety or problems with memory, attention and learning. In neurofeedback training, desired brain patterns are rewarded through sensory feedback.
Over time, the feedback teaches the brain how to modify dysfunctional patterns, maintain positive brain states and regain brain health and vitality.
If the brain approaches the desired state, the client is winning the screen game or enjoying a clear video stream. When the client’s brain activity drifts away from the target, the client is losing game points or the movie picture is disrupted.
Over multiple sessions, this helps the brain move towards more functional patterns and optimize its performance.
The latest research has shown that results are best when combining traditional neurofeedback training with other brain stimulation methods. This approach is also referred to as Neurofeedback Plus.
It is much more powerful because it does not passively wait for a favorable brain state to occur. Instead, it proactively guides the brain into the desired state and then rewards it. This helps the brain change in a positive direction faster and more reliably.
This approach is particularly useful when it is proving challenging to train away deeply entrenched dysfunctional brain patterns. And in cases of slow learning or where fast and seamless brain changes are sought.
Finding the right therapist.
My experience has taught me that the therapist is a crucial part of successful neuro-treatment. Working with a therapist or clinician who truly knows their field and is willing to continuously learn is critical.
Despite being top in Google rankings, the first provider and their off-the-shelf neurofeedback solution did little to help my brain. I noticed some minor changes but I didn’t achieve any dramatic improvements.
So it’s worth taking time to research local providers and trying different ones until you find the one perfect for you.
In addition, I recommend seeking out a provider that offers a multimodal approach that combines brain stimulation methods with neurofeedback (Neurofeedback Plus or Neurotherapy). This will help you get by far the best results.
Any therapist should first offer a detailed brain assessment on which the subsequent treatment protocol is based. They should then monitor your physiological responses and adjust the type, amount and frequency of brain stimulation as required.
If you would like more information on the provider I used, please get in touch with me.
Neurotherapy alone may not be enough.
Most of all, it’s important to bear in mind that neurotherapy for anxiety and trauma is not a magic pill. In some cases improving your health will require multiple interventions from a number of different health professionals.
Your neurotherapist should be able to make recommendations about what other therapies may be helpful. They can also advice on which local health professional to go to.
Want to remember this post? Share it to your favorite Pinterest Board!
At the time, a new book on trauma had just been published and was receiving glowing reviews. In this book, the author recounts stories of his own work and those of top specialists around the globe. (You can buy his book titled ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ on Amazon US and Amazon UK.
I highly recommend it to anyone looking to understand trauma and seeking proven ways to overcome it).
In a moving case study, he tells the story of a woman whose childhood left her severely traumatized and dissociated.
Finally grown up but without any family, education, money or skills she started neurofeedback therapy. Half a year later, she had stopped dissociating and was able to calm herself down. She could focus and begin talking about her experiences in talk therapy.
For the first time in her life, she was able to trust others and her numerous learning disabilities subsided. Four years later, she graduated near the top of her nursing school class and now works full time as a nurse at a local hospital.
While my own story is very different, I could very well relate to many of the young woman’s symptoms.
I intuitively knew that I had to explore the potential of neurofeedback for anxiety and trauma. So I signed up for the recommended bundle of twenty sessions.
When I started following a course of neurotherapy for anxiety and trauma with an experienced therapist, I noticed remarkable improvements in my mental wellbeing and physical vitality after only a few sessions. After half a year I was effectively healed.
I did not longer feel hyper-aroused or anxious. My focus and memory dramatically improved. And the dissociating feelings and overwhelming emotions had disappeared. I aslo feel much less tense. I sleep much better. My nightmares and unsettling dreams subsided. And I woke much better rested in the mornings.
These days, I’m less easily overwhelmed by loud noises and find it easier to make daily life decisions. I’m a lot more patient and able to be fully present with others. My motivation is back.
And I’m able to set myself goals and calmly and persistently work towards them step-by-step. I’m often amazed just how calm, focused and sharp I manage to remain now, even in very stressful situations which many other people seem to be struggling with.
Most noteworthy, I’m able to lead a productive, happy and connected life again. I feel like myself again and I enjoy life and look forward to the future.
I was amazed by the power of neurotherapy for anxiety and trauma. It healed me whole-heartedly where so many other therapies had failed completely. I believe that this treatment has the potential to transform the lives of many other people.
What follows is an overview of what neurotherapy is, how it works and who can benefit. My goal is to help you evaluate if neurotherapy may be for you and how to go about getting the best possible treatment.
What is neurotherapy
Neurotherapy makes use of the intimate relationship between mind and brain. So it acknowledges that our feelings, thoughts and actions produce distinct patterns of neural activity in our brain.Disruption to these patterns leads to a wide range of difficulties, such as depression and anxiety or problems with memory, attention and learning. In neurofeedback training, desired brain patterns are rewarded through sensory feedback.
Over time, the feedback teaches the brain how to modify dysfunctional patterns, maintain positive brain states and regain brain health and vitality.
How it works
During a training session, the brain is connected to a computer interface via sensors placed on the scalp. The sensors are non-invasive and the method is completely pain-free. While the client watches a computer game or movie, the computer provides the brain with feedback of its neural activity.If the brain approaches the desired state, the client is winning the screen game or enjoying a clear video stream. When the client’s brain activity drifts away from the target, the client is losing game points or the movie picture is disrupted.
Over multiple sessions, this helps the brain move towards more functional patterns and optimize its performance.
Who can benefit
Neurotherapy can trigger and amplify neuroplasticity. The research over the past 20 years shows positive results in three main areas:- Emotion regulation (including depression, anxiety and OCD)
- Cognitive enhancement (including peak performance, working memory, attention, ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism and reading and numerical skills)
- Functional recovery (post stroke recovery, reducing the symptoms of Parkinson’s, etc.)
What to look out for
Neurofeedback Plus.The latest research has shown that results are best when combining traditional neurofeedback training with other brain stimulation methods. This approach is also referred to as Neurofeedback Plus.
It is much more powerful because it does not passively wait for a favorable brain state to occur. Instead, it proactively guides the brain into the desired state and then rewards it. This helps the brain change in a positive direction faster and more reliably.
This approach is particularly useful when it is proving challenging to train away deeply entrenched dysfunctional brain patterns. And in cases of slow learning or where fast and seamless brain changes are sought.
Finding the right therapist.
My experience has taught me that the therapist is a crucial part of successful neuro-treatment. Working with a therapist or clinician who truly knows their field and is willing to continuously learn is critical.
Despite being top in Google rankings, the first provider and their off-the-shelf neurofeedback solution did little to help my brain. I noticed some minor changes but I didn’t achieve any dramatic improvements.
So it’s worth taking time to research local providers and trying different ones until you find the one perfect for you.
In addition, I recommend seeking out a provider that offers a multimodal approach that combines brain stimulation methods with neurofeedback (Neurofeedback Plus or Neurotherapy). This will help you get by far the best results.
Any therapist should first offer a detailed brain assessment on which the subsequent treatment protocol is based. They should then monitor your physiological responses and adjust the type, amount and frequency of brain stimulation as required.
If you would like more information on the provider I used, please get in touch with me.
Neurotherapy alone may not be enough.
Most of all, it’s important to bear in mind that neurotherapy for anxiety and trauma is not a magic pill. In some cases improving your health will require multiple interventions from a number of different health professionals.
Your neurotherapist should be able to make recommendations about what other therapies may be helpful. They can also advice on which local health professional to go to.
Want to remember this post? Share it to your favorite Pinterest Board!
Read More About This Health Tips Click Here