See it in action

How Neurofeedback Works

Here at Grey Matters Brain Training Studio our goal is to improve your life. We look at our clients from a holistic point of view in order to help you succeed throughout your neurofeedback journey. Here’s how it works:

We start with a 2 hour appointment with the first hour being a consultation where we teach you more about neurofeedback, wellness testing and our process. During that time, we learn more about you from what you’re looking to work on, history, diet, sleep hygeine, screen time and so much more. These appointments are completed in the morning as we need a fresh brain for the Brain map in the next step.

woman finding calm in a busy office
woman finding calm in a busy office

In the same appointment, we’ll complete a qEEG Brain Map where we’re reading the electrical activity of the brain to see how it’s contributing to your symptoms. This is non-invasive. We use this data to get your brain map results.

You’ll come back to review your results and careplan. We look at your brain map results, information from your consultation and goals to determine a beginning training protocol that we’ll discuss with you.

woman finding calm in a busy office
woman finding calm in a busy office

At your first training appointment, you’ll meet with our Success Coach to go over details about your neurofeedback journey and goals that you want to achieve. Along the way you’ll complete progress trackers and training reports to monitor how you’re responding to training. Our Success coach will check in with you at least monthly.

After you meet with our Success Coach it’s time for your first session! You’ll sit in a comfortable chair while we place sensors on your head that is attached to our software. The software is reading your brain wave activity and rewarding it with sounds through headphones. Our adult clients like to read, journal, look out the window, or watch images on a screen. Our younger clients like to read, do homework, watch educational shows or color.

woman finding calm in a busy office

Consistency is key with brain training.

Just like we need to be consistent in the gym, we need to be consistent with brain training to see results. A minimum of twice per week is needed. The length of your program will be discussed during your results review but on average it takes 30-40 sessions. There are some clients that need more time depending on symptoms, medications, history and goals.

woman finding calm in a busy office

Once you’ve achieved your goals it’s time to celebrate with graduation!

After graduation some clients need maintenance, our team will discuss our recommendations with you. Neurofeedback creates long-term positive change but sometimes a “tune up” is needed!

You have questions, we have answers!

We’ve gathered a list of commonly asked questions for your convenience. If you don’t see the information you need, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Simply click on the question that interests you to navigate directly to the relevant section.

Let’s start by clarifying what neurofeedback is NOT. Neurofeedback is NOT electrical stimulation or any kind of shock to the brain. In fact, it’s completely noninvasive and pain-free. Nothing ever goes to or in your brain.

Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback that uses the electrical activity of the brain to reinforce optimal brain wave patterns through operant conditioning, thus improving one’s life.

Neurofeedback is a superior solution because it doesn’t just ease the symptoms. It addresses and changes what is causing the symptoms or problems at the source in your brain. Your brain learns how to function differently in a way that relieves problematic symptoms or behaviors.

Neurofeedback training has many scientifically documented benefits both for the brain and body, including stress reduction, improved sleep, better focus and memory, heightened mental clarity, more emotional and behavioral regulation, enhanced cognitive performance, and more. Give it a try today, we bet your brain is capable of the changes you desire!

Yes.

Some clients are able to decrease their medication over time with their prescriber. Grey Matters does not do any medication adjustment.

In a neurofeedback session, qEEG sensors are placed on your scalp, recording your brainwaves and sending the information to a computer in real time. The computer, by way of auditory or sound feedback, teaches your brain to perform at optimal levels by a method called operant conditioning which harnesses your brain’s reward system.

All learning is at a subconscious level. You don’t actually have to “do” anything. With consistent repetition through auditory feedback, the brain learns to self-regulate and makes physiological changes to perform more optimally and will continue to make the adjustments after the initial training. Because it’s a learning process, the results of neurofeedback occur gradually over time.

During a 35 to 45-minute session, you sit comfortably in a chair. You have the option of having a footstool, blanket, and eye mask for relaxation. You are given headphones to listen to the training sounds and can either watch scenic images, read, journal, or just kick back and relax. For the younger ones, they can color, draw, read, do homework, or play with Legos.

Consistency is key. The brain requires a minimum of 2 sessions per week to learn and retain new patterns. An average of 35 sessions is needed for the brain to make permanent neuroplastic change. Remember, your brain is learning, and learning takes time and repetition. If you have multiple diagnoses or are on psychological medications, more sessions may be required for your desired results.

There are no long-term negative effects.

Just like taking your temperature with a thermometer does not deliver anything to your body, a qEEG brain map or a qEEG-guided training session does not deliver anything to your brain – it only reads your brain’s electrical activity. The auditory feedback you hear encourages your brain to “exercise.” So, similar to the variety of feelings after a good workout at the gym, some people experience symptoms such as being more tired or more wired, and few will develop a slight headache after a session. These symptoms go away within hours and are not long-lasting.

Our Brain Coaches are here to assess your training progress, discuss any symptoms you may experience, and provide educated feedback to you during your journey.

Grey Matters will assign you a Success Coach who is here to help you successfully navigate your journey. Together, we assess and work on your sleep hygiene, diet, screen time, exercise, and stress management, among many other factors, to help you improve not only your brain but also your overall well-being.

We also offer a variety of Wellness Testing to enhance your training outcome.

Just like riding a bike, once you learn how to do it, your body doesn’t forget. However, if you haven’t ridden your bike in ten years, you aren’t going to be as comfortable or skilled when you get back on it.

Maintenance recommendations are based on individual assessment and will be discussed towards the end of your initial training. Typically, a 1-2 times a month schedule will be recommended. After all, you wouldn’t hire a personal trainer to get in the best shape of your life and then stop going to the gym altogether, would you? Don’t lose your brain gains by stopping altogether either.

Grey Matters Brain Training Studio offers Unlimited Membership options for brain training and several intake options to fit your needs. Please view our pricing page to learn more and find an option that works for you.

We do not accept insurance; however, we offer a variety of payment options.

We accept:

  • Cash, checks, all major credit cards, and Apple Pay
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and HRA Health Reimbursement arrangement.
  • Financing options are available through First Financial Bank with little to no interest
  • Advanced Care Credit
  • Vagaro Pay Later
  • Monthly Payment Plans

Think about the cost of therapy, medications, dissatisfaction with life, lost work hours, and the hope to feel better. It’s worth it. Come on in, we got you.

We use Brainmaster amplifiers and BrainAvatar software, which are FDA-approved.

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