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How Many Sessions of NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback?
Almost all my clients ask, “How many sessions of neurofeedback will I need?”It’s understandable that it’s one of the first things a new or prospective client asks. The training takes time and money and most of us don’t have an unlimited supply of either. We want to know what to expect when we’re trying something new.
So, how many sessions? Well, every brain is unique, so there’s no accurate answer to that question. NeurOptimal® – the state of the art system we use – is not diagnosis and protocol based. There are no predictions that sound like “if you have X it will take Y sessions.” I’ll explain why.
All other neurofeedback systems are linear. The trainer looks for diagnoses in order to determine what protocols should be tried. These systems can be very helpful. And, because these systems push the brain in predetermined directions, they are side effect prone. Those “pushes” may not be a fit for your brain. Reports of side effects are used to tailor the protocols.
NeurOptimal® Dynamical Neurofeedback® is very different, and it’s a paradigm shift forward. Instead of a protocol-based push, it holds a mirror up to the brain so that the brain can see what it’s doing, moment to moment. Your brain uses what it learns to optimize itself, at the pace and in the order of change that are right for you. That makes NeurOptimal® virtually side effect free.
And yet still very, very effective, I believe more so than the linear systems.
What we will be doing is tracking changes in your life, your lived experience. Are you sleeping better? Is your boss not getting to you anymore? Are you calmer, happier, more motivated? Has your golf game improved?
Since every brain is unique, and your brain is deciding, we can’t predict how many sessions of neurofeedback you’ll want. In my experience, average is around 15 or 20 sessions, but I have had people get what they came for and had it be lasting change in as few as six or eight sessions.
Some people keep coming past the point where they got what they initially
came for. That may be because they want to find out what’s going to transform next. Some do their neurofeedback in chunks, coming back when they’re ready for more. Some decide to buy a Personal Bundle or Professional Bundle so they can keep training at home, or train their families and friends. Or start a NeurOptimal® business.I can’t tell you how many sessions you’ll need, but the reason I can’t goes to the heart of why NeurOptimal® is so effective and so safe. It’s up to your brain.
Questions are welcome – please post here or email me.
Catherine Boyer, MA, LCSW-R
New York Neurofeedback
