How does it work? The first step is to see what is going on in the brain by making a brainmap (QEEG). A brainmap is a picture of the brain wave activity and is made by attaching a snug cap to the patient’s head – like a swimcap – and reading brain waves in 19 places.
Brain waves occur at different frequencies; some are real slow and some quite fast. The waves are evaluated when the person is reading or doing a task, and with the eyes both open and closed. This allows us to see what the brain does during the course of a normal day. The data is then compared to a large normative database that shows how the brain should be functioning and determines what brain wave patterns need to be trained for positive change. Other neurological tests include the IVA, which is an auditory and visual continuous performance test that provides data to assess ADHD symptoms and the four sub-types.
Neurotherapy can provide help for:
ADD/ADHD Addictions Anger and Rage Anxiety Aspergers Autism Disorders Behavioral Disorders Bipolar Disorder Concussion Conduct Disorder Chronic Pain Depression Epilepsy Head Injuries Learning Disabilities Migraines/Headaches Memory Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Personal Development Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Sleep Dysregulation Sports Injuries
Coaches, professional athletes, musicians, creative artists and high level business executives have found neurofeedback a useful tool to help them have better concentration, attention, creativity, and immunity to stress. They have found that they can sustain focus even when fatigued, don’t make as many mistakes and find it easier to stay in “the zone”.
Why do people find it helpful? The brain is involved in everything a person does and who you are. Intellect, character, emotions and soul are impacted by brain wave patterns. When the brain works correctly, a person is healthy, happy, and whole. You are able to pay better attention, improve organizational skills, be more accurate, stay on task, finish what you start, reduce stress and remember more. Neurofeedback is a safe, easy way to get the brain working and provides permanent solutions. There are none of the side effects common with medication usage.
How do I get started? To get started, you will need to schedule an appointment, called a Neurofeedback Intake, with Dr. Jeffrey Bullard. At that appointment, you will be evaluated to determine if neurofeedback would be useful in treatment for your symptoms or problem. At the request of the doctor, you will then schedule an appointment for brain mapping. After the brain map is completed, you will come back in for a follow up appointment to review the results with Dr. Bullard and determine what therapy is needed. You will then set up Neurotherapy Session appointments with Leigh Richardson. At the conclusion of your recommended sessions, another brain map is often done to determine the effectiveness of the neurotherapy.
If you would like to be evaluated to see if Neurotherapy is right for you, contact our office to set up an appointment today! You may review the financial policy for the Brain Institute here.
Leigh Richardson, MBA; BCIA, EEG Certified, is the Clinical Director of the Brain Institute. She has spent her educational and professional career understanding human behavior. In the last decade, her focus shifted to understanding the role the brain plays in human behavior and how behavior can be modified with the use of neurofeedback.
Jeff Bullard, MD is the Medical Director of the Brain Institute. He is board certified in Family Practice and started MaxHealth Family Medicine in 1998. In 2008, he added neurotherapy to the practice because of the efficacy of the treatment for ADHD and other neurological and psychological problems.
In opening theBrainInstitute, Leigh is partnering with Dr. Bullard and MaxHealth to bring neurofeedback more into the mainstream and make it more widely recognized as a successful treatment.