Neurofeedback + Brain Training
Our brains are constantly responding to information — adjusting to what is happening inside and around us from moment to moment.
At Center for New Growth, we offer NeurOptimal® Dynamical Neurofeedback®, a non-invasive form of brain training that provides the brain with real-time information about its own activity.
Unlike TMS, medication or psychotherapy, NeurOptimal® is not a medical treatment and does not attempt to make the brain produce a particular pattern.
Instead, it offers information.
The idea is surprisingly simple: when the brain receives accurate, moment-to-moment information about what it is doing, it has an opportunity to respond and reorganize on its own.
Neurofeedback + Brain Training
Our brains are constantly responding to information — adjusting to what is happening inside and around us from moment to moment.
At Center for New Growth, we offer NeurOptimal® Dynamical Neurofeedback®, a non-invasive form of brain training that provides the brain with real-time information about its own activity.
Unlike TMS, medication or psychotherapy, NeurOptimal® is not a medical treatment and does not attempt to make the brain produce a particular pattern.
Instead, it offers information.
The idea is surprisingly simple: when the brain receives accurate, moment-to-moment information about what it is doing, it has an opportunity to respond and reorganize on its own.
What is Neurofeedback?
What is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback broadly refers to technologies that measure aspects of brain activity and provide feedback based on that information. There are many different approaches to neurofeedback. Some traditional systems begin with an assessment or brain map and then use specific protocols designed to increase or decrease particular patterns of brainwave activity.
NeurOptimal® works differently.
It does not diagnose brainwave abnormalities, create a treatment protocol or attempt to push the brain toward a predetermined state. Instead, sensors monitor electrical activity at the scalp while sophisticated software identifies changes in that activity in real time.
When particular changes occur, the system briefly interrupts the music you are listening to. That interruption acts as information — a kind of mirror that allows the brain to notice its own activity. There is nothing you need to consciously figure out or accomplish.
Neurofeedback broadly refers to technologies that measure aspects of brain activity and provide feedback based on that information. There are many different approaches to neurofeedback. Some traditional systems begin with an assessment or brain map and then use specific protocols designed to increase or decrease particular patterns of brainwave activity.
NeurOptimal® works differently.
It does not diagnose brainwave abnormalities, create a treatment protocol or attempt to push the brain toward a predetermined state. Instead, sensors monitor electrical activity at the scalp while sophisticated software identifies changes in that activity in real time.
When particular changes occur, the system briefly interrupts the music you are listening to. That interruption acts as information — a kind of mirror that allows the brain to notice its own activity. There is nothing you need to consciously figure out or accomplish.
What happens during a session?
What happens during a session?
A NeurOptimal® session is remarkably simple. Small sensors are placed on your scalp and ears. The sensors read electrical activity; they do not send electricity or stimulation into your brain.
You’ll then sit comfortably and listen to music while the system runs. As NeurOptimal® detects changes in your brain’s electrical activity, you may hear very brief interruptions in the music. Those interruptions are the feedback.
You don’t need to concentrate on them, meditate, control your thoughts or try to make anything happen. You can simply sit, listen and allow the system to work in the background.
After the session, the sensors are removed and you can return immediately to your usual activities.
A NeurOptimal® session is remarkably simple. Small sensors are placed on your scalp and ears. The sensors read electrical activity; they do not send electricity or stimulation into your brain.
You’ll then sit comfortably and listen to music while the system runs. As NeurOptimal® detects changes in your brain’s electrical activity, you may hear very brief interruptions in the music. Those interruptions are the feedback.
You don’t need to concentrate on them, meditate, control your thoughts or try to make anything happen. You can simply sit, listen and allow the system to work in the background.
After the session, the sensors are removed and you can return immediately to your usual activities.
More Frequently Asked Questions
More Frequently Asked Questions
People come to brain training for many different reasons.
Some are interested in supporting:
- focus and mental clarity
- resilience and adaptability
- rest and relaxation
- performance and creativity
- greater flexibility in responding to everyday stress
- overall mental fitness and wellbeing
Others are simply curious about what it feels like to engage with their brain and nervous system in a different way.
There is no single experience that everyone should expect, and individual experiences vary.
No.
This distinction is important.
NeurOptimal® is classified as a general wellness product rather than a medical device. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, mitigate, prevent or cure a medical or psychiatric condition.
You may encounter neurofeedback systems elsewhere that are used clinically with specific diagnostic or treatment protocols. NeurOptimal® is a different form of neurofeedback and should not be confused with those approaches.
At Center for New Growth, we offer NeurOptimal® as adjunctive brain training and a general wellness practice, not as a replacement for psychotherapy, medication or other medical or psychiatric treatment.
Individual NeurOptimal® neurofeedback sessions are $75 per session.
At this time, stand-alone neurofeedback sessions are not covered by Medicare or Medi-Cal and are offered as an out-of-pocket service.
In some circumstances, neurofeedback may also be incorporated adjunctively into a psychotherapy session when your therapist determines that its use is clinically appropriate as part of your psychotherapy treatment. In these circumstances, the psychotherapy service itself may be covered by Medicare or Medi-Cal according to your eligibility, benefits and treatment plan.
Our team can help you understand which option applies to you before scheduling.
There is no prescribed course of NeurOptimal® based on a diagnosis.
Some people try a few sessions out of curiosity. Others choose to train regularly for a period of time and notice what they experience.
Because NeurOptimal® is not a treatment protocol, there isn’t a particular number of sessions required for depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD or any other diagnosis.
Our team can help you think about a schedule based on your goals, experience and practical considerations rather than prescribing a predetermined medical course.
No.
NeurOptimal® does not use a QEEG or diagnostic brain map to determine what your brain “should” be doing.
The system works dynamically with information from the present moment rather than comparing your activity with a predetermined target.
That is one of the primary differences between NeurOptimal® and many traditional forms of neurofeedback.
Mostly, it feels like sitting and listening to music.
You may notice brief interruptions in the audio as the system provides feedback. Beyond that, experiences vary considerably.
Some people find sessions restful. Others feel alert or energized. Some notice very little during the session itself. There is no particular experience you are supposed to have and no altered state is required.
Yes.
Because NeurOptimal® is offered as a general wellness practice, people may choose to incorporate brain training alongside psychotherapy, medication management, TMS, ketamine or SPRAVATO®, meditation, movement and other wellness practices.
For people already participating in psychotherapy at Center for New Growth, neurofeedback may sometimes be incorporated into a psychotherapy session as an adjunctive tool when clinically appropriate.
You do not otherwise need to receive your medical or behavioral health care at Center for New Growth in order to participate in stand-alone neurofeedback sessions.
You don’t need a diagnosis or referral to be curious about brain training. Individual sessions are $75 and can be scheduled as a stand-alone, out-of-pocket service. Medicare and Medi-Cal do not currently cover stand-alone neurofeedback sessions.
If you’re already working with a Center for New Growth therapist, you can also ask whether incorporating neurofeedback adjunctively into psychotherapy may be appropriate for your treatment.
Neurofeedback within the Center for New Growth
Neurofeedback within the Center for New Growth
We include neurofeedback within our broader Neuromodulation offerings because we are interested in the many ways people can develop greater awareness, flexibility and capacity within the nervous system. But our different neuromodulation approaches are not interchangeable.
TMS is a medical treatment that uses magnetic stimulation directed toward specific brain regions and has FDA-cleared psychiatric indications. Where as NeurOptimal® is non-medical brain training that reads electrical activity and provides real-time feedback without directing the brain toward a particular clinical target.
Both reflect our interest in looking beyond a single model of mental health care while remaining clear about what each approach can and cannot claim to do.
We include neurofeedback within our broader Neuromodulation offerings because we are interested in the many ways people can develop greater awareness, flexibility and capacity within the nervous system. But our different neuromodulation approaches are not interchangeable.
TMS is a medical treatment that uses magnetic stimulation directed toward specific brain regions and has FDA-cleared psychiatric indications. Where as NeurOptimal® is non-medical brain training that reads electrical activity and provides real-time feedback without directing the brain toward a particular clinical target.
Both reflect our interest in looking beyond a single model of mental health care while remaining clear about what each approach can and cannot claim to do.