What is neurofeedback?

Changing your brain waves — the electrical activity in the brain — changes how you feel, how you act, how you interact with others.

Neurofeedback trainers for decades worked with their clients to change brain waves using programs like video games to train the brain to produce more or less of various frequencies that are thought to correlate with different brain states. Working that way involves a certain amount of guesswork — trial and error — that can produce good results, but that can also result in side effects. In recent years, in part due to increases in computing power, it has become possible to train the brain in a different way, with little if any risk of side effects.

We will do this state of the art central nervous system training using the NeurOptimal® system. That means going a big step beyond neurofeedback as it is traditionally defined. I won't be making an educated guess about what your brain needs. Instead, the system will give feedback to your brain in real time, feedback about what your brain just did. The brain uses that information to renormalize itself. NeurOptimal® also works across a broad range of frequencies rather than focusing on narrow ranges chosen by the provider, so again, there's no guesswork involved.

Your brain is the most complex system on the Earth, and it is masterful at organizing itself on your behalf. NeurOptimal® uses the EEG — information about the electrical activity in your brain — to train your CNS (the brain and spinal cord) to be at its best, taking advantage of its powerful ability to organize and normalize itself. Because your brain does this in the way that is uniquely right for you, it's not being pushed or pulled in a provider chosen direction; and it's virtually side effect free.

For more information about NeurOptimal® visit the Zengar website.

Is neurofeedback the same as biofeedback?

People often ask about the difference between neurofeedback and biofeedback. Neurofeedback is a form of biofeedback, but traditional biofeedback works with the peripheral nervous system (the PNS) — the outer edges of the body. With biofeedback, the client learns to make changes to the PNS (such as reducing muscle tension or increasing skin temperature), and practices the skills on his or her own, with the expectation that learning those skills will affect the central nervous system in a positive way.

Unlike traditional biofeedback, neurofeedback works directly with the central nervous system (CNS). I think of this as going up the river to the source — the CNS. The CNS affects all of the body's systems. Changes in the CNS will reflect in the PNS — and in your life.

Is this sounding like something that may be helpful to you? If so, you're welcome to call me at 212-877-6923 or email for an appointment. If you're not sure yet, I'll be happy to do my best to answer any questions you may have.