Options For Neurofeedback Therapy Training In The UK

The brain is a powerful organ that influences how we feel, behave, and perceive the world around us. Often, the brain is at the center of various mental and physical health challenges, such as mood disorders, neurological injuries, developmental conditions, and addiction. The field of neuroscience (the study of brain function) is continually evolving as mental health researchers gain more knowledge about how the brain works, paving the way for innovative treatments in improving brain function to help address those psychological and physical challenges. One such treatment is neurofeedback therapy (NFT). 

NFT is a form of “brain training” in which therapists use real-time monitoring (EEG) and visual/auditory feedback to regulate brainwave activity. With practice, individuals learn to use their brains more effectively, improving cognitive function, mental health, and overall well-being through exercising the brain’s electrical activity. This article outlines the process of neurofeedback therapy, discusses the modality’s efficacy, and provides options for UK-based practitioners.

Overview of NFT

Neurofeedback therapy (NFT) is a modality that helps participants alleviate certain mental and physical health concerns by training their brains to perform in specific ways. It is a form of biofeedback, which involves monitoring systems in the body to improve their function. 

Brain function plays a crucial role in numerous health challenges. When certain impulses—called brain waves—are sent, we may feel sad, develop certain cravings, or take various actions. For example, individuals with anxiety often experience nervousness and fear, which can negatively influence their behavior and emotions. These feelings of anxiety have been linked to beta waves—impulses in the brain that can help us concentrate and complete tasks, but may also lead to emotional challenges. 

Using the above example, a participant in NFT may be given feedback showing that their brain emits a high number of beta waves. The goal of neurofeedback sessions, then, could be to reduce that number. This typically happens using a sophisticated training program that helps participants’ brains make necessary changes in real time, calming the nervous system and reducing feelings of anxiety. Practitioners may also help participants use various relaxation techniques, such as mindfulness and deep breathing. 

How neurofeedback training works: Visual feedback and training the brain to regulate emotions

Neurofeedback therapy is based on the concept of operant conditioning, in which rewards are used to promote desired responses. In the case of NFT, the desired responses are forms of brain function that help address the mental health, physical, or developmental challenges the individual is experiencing. There are several types of neurofeedback training. The exact modality a practitioner uses may depend on the participants’ health concerns, specific symptoms, and medical history. 

Monitoring brain activity

To gain insight into an individual’s brain patterns that contribute to their challenges, practitioners usually monitor neurological activity throughout the therapeutic process. This is achieved through an electroencephalography, or EEG, which involves the placement of electrodes on a participant’s scalp. The EEG creates a brain map—a graphic representation of brain activity (electrical signals).  The mental health professional can evaluate the frequency of those signals and determine whether there are imbalances that may be contributing to an individual’s mental or physical health concerns. 

Practitioners may notice that certain brain waves are occurring too frequently in one region of the brain and too infrequently in other regions. For example, when alpha waves are more common in the right, as opposed to left, frontal cortex—a phenomenon known as alpha wave asymmetry—an individual may be prone to anxiety or depression. 

The training process

During the neurofeedback process, participants typically engage in a specific activity, such as watching a movie, playing a video game, or listening to music. At the same time, the practitioner monitors brain activity in response to that sensory information. Through specialized software and neurofeedback equipment, the brain waves that an individual emits can lead to a reward, such as more pleasant music or success in a video game. If the participants’ brain wave patterns are not in the optimal range, the reward may be diminished. 

Because of the brain’s ability to change based on experience, with consistent training, it can learn how to function in ways that bring about positive changes, and with them, the reward. The optimal range of brain activity is tied to the desired responses. Using the example of anxiety and beta waves, an individual might be rewarded when their beta waves are reduced, and their alpha waves (which can promote relaxation) are increased. 

By inducing the brain to produce specific impulses, neurofeedback therapy can train it in ways that enhance performance, promote beneficial thoughts and behaviors, and improve emotional regulation—all medication-free. Over the course of dozens of sessions (therapy typically lasts 30 to 40 sessions in total), participants can develop healthy habits and alleviate the challenges that were contributing to their symptoms. Throughout the therapeutic process, practitioners collaborate with clients to reevaluate whether more sessions are needed or if they can begin reducing their frequency.

Assessment first: QEEG brain mapping and understanding your brain’s electrical activity

Before you begin NFT, you and your therapist will discuss your symptoms, goals, and history. After the process, your therapist will share the results of your brainwave activity (typically presented as maps and tables). Using this knowledge, they’ll develop a customized treatment plan. A qEEG brain map can:

• Show a functional view of how your brain works. (But not in the same way an MRI would, which only shows structure.)
• Reveal patterns that might be linked to mental health conditions. 
• Pinpoint specific areas and types of brainwave dysregulation contributing to symptoms, guiding targeted care.
• Offer a functional view of how your brain works, not just its structure as you’d see on an MRI.

Mood disorders, traumatic brain injury, and more: Challenges NFT can address

The ability to exert control over cognitive function can be beneficial in various contexts, given the vital role our brains play in regulating various systems of our bodies. For this reason, neurofeedback therapy has been life-changing for many as they manage the symptoms of a wide range of psychiatric, neurological, and developmental disorders. 

Psychiatric disorders

Brain function is a core contributor to various emotional challenges, so neurofeedback training is frequently employed to reduce chronic stress that causes individuals to feel anxious and irritable, as well as depressive symptoms that cause suffering, such as low self-esteem and hopelessness. This modality can be used for depression, anxiety disorders, developmental trauma, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Many experts suggest using neurofeedback training as a complementary approach—as opposed to a first-line treatment—for mental health disorders. 

Traumatic brain injury

It isn’t always easy to evaluate the ways in which an individual’s brain injury is affecting them. People who have experienced neurological injuries may receive insights into the affected brain regions via NFT. Practitioners can use these insights to help participants’ brains respond in ways that mitigate the adverse effects of these neurological changes and support recovery. 

NFT improving cognitive performance

Neurofeedback has been used to help people with learning difficulties and other challenges associated with conditions like autism spectrum disorder and ADHD symptoms. NFT may also improve cognitive performance and alleviate several symptoms of neurodevelopmental concerns, such as trouble focusing, impulsivity, and difficulty organizing information. 

Who is neurofeedback for? Children, adults, and individuals seeking emotional recovery

Anyone can benefit from NFT, from young children to adults suffering with conditions that interfere with focus, cause anxiety and depression, affect cognitive performance, and more. Teaching the brain self-regulation through real-time feedback is ideal to help individuals learn emotional regulation and recovery, as well as cognitive enhancement. It's a drug-free, non-invasive method used for various ages and conditions to stabilize brain function and improve overall mental health and well-being. 

Who may not benefit from this treatment?

Neurofeedback therapy is non-invasive and is generally considered a safe modality for people with a range of health concerns. However, certain individuals may be urged to avoid NFTs, particularly those living with pre-existing neurological conditions. This includes people living with epilepsy, who can be negatively impacted by brain wave manipulation. Additionally, people with chronic fatigue or brain fog, both of which may be exacerbated by NFT, may choose to seek alternative treatment options. 

Neurofeedback vs talking therapies and psychotherapy

While neurofeedback directly trains brainwaves for neurological regulation, psychotherapy techniques like CBT and psychodynamic therapy use talk throughout the therapeutic process to build insight and help individuals learn to change thoughts/behaviors for broader issues like trauma, depression, and relationships. In practice, the therapies can complement each other, with neurofeedback targeting the brain's “hardware” and talk therapy the “software” of the mind, creating a holistic healing path. 

Research on the efficacy of NFT

There is also evidence of NFTs’ efficacy for other mental health conditions. Studies show that neurofeedback training can improve symptoms of PTSD, depression, and substance use disorder, among other mental disorders. Additionally, it has been shown to alleviate challenges that may exacerbate mental health symptoms, such as insomnia and chronic pain. 

Neurofeedback training has also been employed to improve physical aptitude, helping individuals’ brains facilitate certain motor functions more effectively. Studies show, for example, that manipulating athletes’ brains through NFT can lead to enhanced performance in sports. 

Participating in NFT: Options in the UK

Individuals in the United Kingdom who are interested in a neurofeedback training program have several options. One of the largest providers of NFTs is BrainTrainUK, which has locations throughout England. Brainworks is another clinic that provides neurofeedback therapy in the UK for people experiencing various mental and physical health conditions. 

If you’re interested in participating in NFT, consider asking your primary care provider for a referral to a neurofeedback program. When pursuing neurofeedback therapy, look for professionals who have the training and experience to address your specific symptoms. You may also want to ensure they’re certified by a governing organization, like the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance. 

What to expect logistically

An NFT programme typically begins with a free initial consultation during which the mental health professional will discuss the NFT process and administer a questionnaire for the client to complete. This will include questions about their symptoms, therapy goals, and medical history. Based on the questionnaire outcomes, the clinician and client will work together to determine the treatment plan. 

Throughout the process, they may reevaluate the client’s progress to decide whether or not they need more sessions and the treatment frequency. NFT is typically part of a more holistic treatment plan, in which the therapist may also assign the client “homework” to practice outside sessions and provide access to worksheets, journals, and other cognitive-behavioral therapy tools. For many, this combination of therapies can be life-changing, leading to significant transformation.

Foster cognitive and emotional wellness with online care

If you’d like to learn more about how brain function and mental health are connected, consider working with a mental health professional online. 

Benefits of online support

With an online therapy platform like BetterHelp, you can switch therapists anytime, allowing you to work with the professional who best fits your needs. Your therapist can also connect you with useful resources, such as worksheets meant to enhance memory and other cognitive functions.  

The efficacy of online support