Brainwave Training for ADHD

If you or your child struggle with ADHD there’s great news! With 50+ years of peer-reviewed research and clinical use, Neurofeedback (a brain-to-computer interface technology) has shown its value in improving both executive functioning (organizing, decision-making, paying attention) as well as challenging behaviors (like trouble taking turns, listening attentively & managing difficult emotions). More effective functioning at home, at school, at work & in relationships is possible using this state of the art technology combined with the caring and compassion of an experienced clinician.
How does Neurofeedback work? Electrode sensors are placed on your head that painlessly measure brainwaves that are fed into an interactive computer program featuring a fun videogame-like interface. The game gives you, the patient visual “feedback” about how your brain is working by changing the images and sounds when your brain produces the target frequency. You’ll move forward in a landscape for example when your brain succeeds or you’ll be stuck not moving if the brain has not. With practice during sessions over a number of months it becomes easier for your brain to reach the desired state it is being trained for and you’ll feel or function better. It’s often possible to reduce or eliminate medication entirely since while chemical stimulation of brain cells is only short-lived, neurofeedback therapy leads to lasting gains.
Is Neurofeedback a “one size fits all” therapy? While some Neurofeedback available is, the method with the best scientific support is Neurofeedback based on an actual analysis of the functioning of your brain. This analysis, called a qEEG Brain Map is then compared to a database of maps of “neuro-typicals” or people without symptoms to create an individualized treatment program tailored just for you. Rather than relying on guess-work or picking a protocol from a “menu” qEEG-guided Neurofeedback is science at its best!
Steven C. Kassel, MA, MFT is in private practice in SCV as a Marriage and Family Therapist and is Board Certified in both Biofeedback and Neurofeedback. He has been practicing in the Santa Clarita Valley since 1985. s@kassel.us or visit his website at www.kassel.us.