Here at Brain Training Australia™, we use a specific type of NeurOptinmal® Neurofeedback which is an advanced form of Brain Training Technology.  It is a safe, natural, non-invasive, drug-free, effective method grounded in decades of evidence-based clinical research that allows the brain to restore healthy mental processes and achieve life changing results. Neurofeedback measures and analyses the electricity generated by the Central Nervous System and then uses this analyses to provide specific interactive brain training exercises.  Neurofeedback uses real-time displays of brain activity through the use of electroencephalography (EEG), to teach self-regulation of brain function. It provides information to your brain which allows it to reorganize itself. When your brain does this, you usually feel better in your life with easier access to more optimal functioning physically and emotionally. Neurofeedback Brain Training is quite a specialised field of neuroscience, so we have compiled this helpful FAQ section on our website to inform you and help you with any questions you may have.

Neurofeedback works through auditory perception interruptions, so once your dedicated Neurofeedback Practitioner has you hooked up to the EEG system, you will be asked to listen to some nice relaxation music (for auditory perception interruption purposes).  As you listen to the music, you will hear little interruptions or glitches (similar to static) and this is the brain generated feedback at work.  The interruptions are not pre-set in the music, instead they are live feedback from your own brainwaves which are obtained via the EEG system, to which you are hooked up to.  Every time you hear an interruption in the music, you’ll know your brain has just adjusted itself so the music keeps playing. Over a few sessions, this static will become less pronounced – this is normal and the feedback loop will still be happening, even if you can’t hear it. Most people find the sessions enjoyable - you can just relax and enjoy them. There is absolutely nothing you have to do.  Focusing on problem issues too intently during the session can be counterproductive – the more you can relax and let go, the easier it is for your brain to make the adjustments it needs.  You can lie back or not, and have your eyes open or closed. Some may feel sensations in their body or head, like tingling or warmth, or they may feel nothing. These sensations are not an indication of progress and it is not important whether you are aware of sensations or not, as it is not related to the effectiveness of the session.

No. At Brain Training Australia™ Clinic we do not diagnose.  Or medicate.  We train.  Neurofeedback Brain Training is used a tool for brain training and optimization, not as a means of diagnosis, treatment or as medical intervention.  Your brain is in complete charge of any and all adjustments it chooses to make in each session. The system which we use at Brain Training Australia™ Clinic does not do anything to your brain. It does not stimulate it in any way, and there is no electrical current going into your brain.  It simply brings to the brain’s attention what it is already doing – acting like a mirror, reflecting information back to the brain and central nervous system. This allows the brain to recognize patterns of stress and make adjustments to release that pattern/stress.

Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to reorganise itself and to create new neural networks, in other words, create different ways of thinking.  The average human brain has 100 million neurons and each neuron has as many as 7000 synaptic connections to other neurons.  While the method employed at Brain Training Australia is Neurofeedback, the process by which the changes occur is through Neuroplasticity. What is happening when we put the EEG Sensors on the scalp, is that the system is measuring the summation of cortical, or electrical activity in the brain.  The auditory interruptions or feedback provided is picking up on an existing stress response, inefficiency or instability in the brain.  These changes are made through the processes of neuroplasticity.  We don't want to tell the brain what to do or to stimulate it in any way, and there is no preconceived notion of how your brain should be performing. Instead we want the brain to form its own pathways and it does so naturally, gently and safely through neuroplasticity.

One of the features of Neurofeedback is that it is very safe because the person is able to change at their own rate without any forcing of the process. In addition, everyone is starting from a different place with a different history and they are coming for different reasons. Some achieve their desired outcome in ten sessions. Most require between ten and twenty sessions, with some requiring more. Remember, you do not need to do ten or twenty sessions to experience benefits as this will be evident within the first few sessions. Neurofeedback is not a quick fix; it is a program that allows your brain and central nervous system to release old habits and re-train itself in a healthier form which takes time and commitment on your part in the form of regular sessions.  The total number of sessions required differs from person to person and we will monitor your specific needs.  Your dedicated Neurofeedback Practitioner will be able to recommend your Brain Training Program specific to you, depending on your presentation at Session 1.

Neurofeedback is Brain Training and, like any training, it is repetition that gets the skills in place and then establishes resiliency and long lasting outcomes. Thus it becomes important to carry the improvements across from one session to the next. Most people achieve this with one session per week at the beginning, with a decrease in frequency towards the end of training. If you wish for a faster and easier outcome then two sessions per week are optimal. However, it is important to say that we have had many clients who have achieved very good outcomes with fortnightly sessions or less. This includes fly in fly out mining workers who are training a few days in a row once every three weeks or less. In addition, we have clients who are on the move and will do daily or twice daily sessions for a week or so with the benefits flowing on over time post Neurofeedback training. In short, any frequency of training is better than none and we can work out an individual program to suit your lifestyle and budget.

Many clients feel the positive effects of Neurofeedback from their very first session, as the changes can be felt between sessions and before the full change has ‘settled in.’ Very often the change people experience with Neurofeedback is remarkably effortless and seamless. The challenge with this is to notice the changes that are happening.  The process is so simple and easy that as changes occur, you may even be tempted to attribute these improvements to something else you are doing. When clients have been used to an effort/reward system of growth and healing, they often find it hard to accept that it really can be this easy. As clients transition to optimal brain functionality, it is often that they don’t remember accurately what it was like when they came in at the Initial Consultation.  This is why after every session we track your progress, and every 10 sessions we measure your overall progress since your first session.  This process of seamless change is why it is important to monitor any changes, no matter how subtle, in the areas in which you hope to see improvement occurring.  But not all change is seamless, and some people may have feelings that are less comfortable, such as feeling more open, vulnerable, raw, reactive or tearful. Sometimes it is not that they feel more of these emotions, but instead are becoming more aware of their feelings. As you progress through your Brain Training Program, you may still be experiencing the same symptoms, but are they less frequent and of a lesser intensity. You may find you can cope better with the symptoms now, that your reactiveness level is lowered and you are less stressed and anxious even though the symptoms persist? Another effect is that some of the people in your environment (family members, workmates, friends) can be challenged by the changes in you, as you become clearer around your needs. There can be bodily shifts too. As your brain becomes more finely tuned, the negative effects of some of our bad habits become harder to ignore, like drinking too much or not getting enough sleep. Your tolerance for alcohol may reduce, so the same amount of alcohol will feel like more, so please adjust accordingly. This is relevant for all artificial stimulants – e.g. coffee, sugar etc.

International Clinical Studies based on over three million hours of experience with the specific Neurofeedback systems that we use, we can make some predictions.  Clinical studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of Neurofeedback across a large variety of presentations, so the good thing is you do not have to take it on faith and trust that it will help you — you will know pretty quickly when it is helping you.  Your dedicated Neurofeedback Practitioner can talk you through these studies to put your mind at ease if you like. If you see any changes at all, even if it not yet what you are looking for, or even if it is something you don’t want or expect, it is always helpful and important to share with us because it tells us that your brain is responding to the information which the Neurofeedback is providing.

We have Clinic locations in Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne. We invite you to book a NEW CLIENT: DISCOVERY CALL (By Phone, 15 Mins-no cost), in advance of making your first appointment, so we can help align you with the best practitioner to support your needs. PERTH: WEMBLEY: Our head office location 10B/151 Herdsman Parade, Wembley, Western Australia.   (Occupational Therapy & Neurofeedback) GREENWOOD: We also have an Associate Clinic Location at 291 Warwick Rd, Greenwood WA 6024 (Acupuncture & Neurofeedback) GWELUP, STIRLING: We have another Associate home-based practice in Gewlup, Stirling  (Counselling & Neurofeedback) We also have locations in Brisbane and Melbourne. (both provide Psychology & Neurofeedback services) To access our services, send us a message through our website or book your Discovery Call (by phone, 15 mins, no cost)