Neurofeedback is both an art and science. There are almost as many ways to go about doing it effectively as there are practitioners. We've assembled a collection of presentations by 22 of the best leaders in the field of neurofeedback, recorded live, so you can get exposure to all their different models and get the basics under your belt.
Sure, you can buy a book by one practitioner or another. But believe me, the variety in the way people approach EEG brain training is huge and that means that if you only look at one perspective, you really don't know what all the possibilities are.
7 Disc set.
Neurofeedback Foundations Course Schedule
Rob Kall:Brief History of Neurofeedback and Biofeedback (44 mins) The Heros Journey and Biofeedback for the Practitioner and Client an overview of the early history of biofeedback and neurofeedback.
Sig Othmer-From Brain Models to Therapies (54 mins) Neurofeedback started with a focus on brain mechanisms, and first clinical applications were to neurological conditions such as epilepsy. Over time neurofeedback came to be more and more associated with psychological/psychiatric diagnoses, and symptoms drove therapeutic approaches. Increasingly, however, evolving protocols have shed any obvious linkage with symptoms being addressed. We are returning to more purely brain-based models to define how neurofeedback is to be done. Symptom relief and performance measures are still the arbiter of clinical success, but the challenges we employ in brain-training are increasingly being derived from strictly EEG-based criteria. It is necessary, therefore, to develop an over-arching model for brain self-regulation that accounts for this state of affairs. If such a comprehensive model is possible, then we would expect it to be accompanied by a more generic, non-specific approach to brain self-regulation applicable to a broad range of disorders as well as to optimum mental fitness training.
Joel Lubar Understanding The EEG It's Origins, It's Characteristics and Its Application for Neurofeedback- Neurotherapy. (75 mins) In this foundations course, Joel Lubar will demonstrate a number of EEG pattern characteristics that are important for the basic understanding and for application in the fields of neurofeedback and neurotherapy. EEG is an extremely complex phenomenon. Understanding neocortical dynamics, the origins of EEG and how it is recorded, analyzed and processed is of primary importance in order to utilize EEG neurofeedback techniques and neurotherapy approaches. First,he will familiarize the attendees with the basic EEG patterns such as delta, theta, alpha, beta, SMR, lambda, mu, sleep spindles, and other commonly recorded EEG characteristics.
Next,he will demonstrate some of the abnormal EEG patterns associated with seizure disorders and other types of neuropathology.
This foundations course will discuss in detail the more important and somewhat more complex concepts such as harmonic analysis of EEG, phase and coherence, and their importance in understanding functional linkages within the cerebral cortex and between the cortex and the thalamus. The importance of coherence and phase will become particularly apparent in a discussion about the difference between referential and bipolar EEG montages. The relationship between phase and coherence measurements and the characteristics associated with closed head injury and possibly attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder and learning disabilities will be discussed.
Dr. Lubar'sportion of the course will also include a discussion of the different types of signal processing methodologies that are utilized in the development of neurofeedback instrumentation and the relative advantages and disadvantages of each approach. These methodologies include active bandpass filters, analog and digital filters, Fourier analysis, pattern analysis, and combined analog and digital techniques based on several of these approaches used simultaneously.
Anna Wise: Training the Awakened Mind. (35 mins)Anna's unique contribution to neurofeedback is the marriage of science and spirituality. Working with both the state and content of consciousness, she uses the Mind Mirror III EEG to identify and train higher states. In this half hour Anna will demonstrate the Mind Mirror and detail her work in training the Awakened Mind.
Tom Collura:Technical Foundations of Neurofeedback:Instrumentation and Processing(30 mins).This workshop will describe the technical foundations of neurofeedback instruments, with an emphasis on neurophysiological, electronic, and computer aspects. A signal is traced from its origin in the brain, through the instrumentation, until a visual or auditory feedback signal is presented to the trainee. Aspects of real-time processing and feedback will be emphasized. Technical data in the form of digital traces, timing measurements, and statistical summaries, will be presented and discussed. Material covered will not be specific to any particular instrument, and will pertain to all types of equipment.
Each participant willarticulate the technical foundations of EEG neurofeedback, including neurophysiology, electronics, signal processing, and user-interfacing. Understand specifications such as bandwidth, accuracy, and response time, in scientific and engineering terms.
Richard Soutar:Protocol Strategies: A Theory Driven Decision Tree(27 mins) For those starting out in neurofeedback, one of the great mysteries is which protocol to implement, how long to do it, and when to change and try something else. This segment of the Foundations Course will address these questions. A theory driven decision tree based on the existing literature and extensive clinical experience will be presented. How to relate this decision tree to the various prevailing paradigms in neurofeedback will also be discussed.
Nancy White:Transpersonal and Energy Considerations in EEG Biofeedback: (22 mins) The Quantum view of reality sees a person as a matrix of energy and information. In this paradigm, we can attain states of consciousness that allow us to exchange information with non-local fields in ways that change our perception of reality. Under specific conditions that the therapist can induce, Alpha/Theta Neurofeedback therapy provides a gateway to non-local reality and the transpersonal realm of individual transformation.
Valdeane Brown:Targeting Emergent Variability: A Robust Approach to NF Training. (32 mins) NF training can be done in very simple, yet comprehensive ways, thanks to advances in technology. Remember DOS and those cryptic commands? A lot of NF training can seem to be done that way, with the burden of "extra" knowledge of â"special assessments" being needed. With advances in computing technology as well as the software to implement more comprehensive training, we can now operate in a more streamlined way “doing less" as the trainer, but accomplishing "more" for and with the client. This means training more targets at the same time “because the program and computer can keep up with the details for us,instead of having to use a long sequence of "smaller targets“ each of which has to be decided upon by the practitioner. The more specific the decisions needed, the more likelihood there is of getting it wrong. There are profoundly simpler and more robust approaches.
NF training can be done like a kind of aerobic cross training for the CNS. Using central "tuning" mechanisms, the CNS can simply be given very comprehensive information in "real-time" and it will restore its own functioning,no need to directly "push", "nudge", "lead" or "perturb" the client. Almost everyone has learned to ride a bicycle at some point in their life. The more adept one is at riding, the less "wobble" there is as you ride. Instead of the bike leaning to one side and then the other “bobbing back and forth with each pedal push“ the expert cuts a small path with very little wobble. This makes the riding very efficient and creates a base of stability from which rapid changes in direction and speed or made possible. It is no different for the CNS. The more disorder, the more the CNS "wobbles" in ways that can be easily seen and directly trained. The less wobble, the less emergent variability and the more stable the CNS is, and the more capable and ready it is to change states when appropriate. Pribram used the ideas of efficiency and effectiveness to characterize the functioning of the CNS these are the twin pillars upon which this approach to NF training is based. This makes it simple to use yet equally applicable across the range of contexts in which NF training has been used successfully. Moving to this new paradigm involves an unlearning and "letting go" of other, older ideas but carries with it the advantages of elegance and applicability across virtually all areas of application. This presentation will introduce you to this newer, inherently simpler and robust paradigm to NF training and give you an elegantly comprehensive understanding of actually implementing this approach in real-time training.
Les Fehmi:What is Coherence training and why do it? (53 mins) Coherence applies to brain waves of a given frequence which maintain a consistent relationship with each other, extremes of which are often thought of in neurofeedback circles as undesirable. The optimizing effects of training phase synchrony, a particular kind of coherence, one in which brain waves of specific frequency peak and trough at the same time, will be described.
Lynda and Michael Thompson:Fundamentals of a Neurofeedback Training Session (79 mins) We will demonstrate how to manage a neurofeedback training session. This will cover everything from generating EEG profiles to the decision making involved concerning where to put the electrodes, what frequency ranges to reward and inhibit, right through to the nuts and bolts of how to get a good connection with low impedance readings so that you have valid feedback. Along the way we will talk about the EEG profiles seen most frequently in young clients (ADHD, Asperger's) and adults (anxiety, depression, optimal performance). We will also model what you say and do during the session; that is, how you initially explain what you are doing and then actively coach your client to help them meet their goals. In this regard we will touch upon combining metacognitive strategies with neurofeedback to give added value to the session for children. As time allows we will discuss how to combine this with a stress assessment and biofeedback when working with adolescents and adults.
Hershel Toomim: Hemoencephalography (HEG): A New Form of Neurofeedback (36 mins) With Potential for Enhancing Brain Function in Multiple Conditions Hemoencephalography (HEG) is an innovative method of biofeedback-guided brain exercise, which can enhance brain function through targeted activation of underfunctioning brain areas. The brain recruits its localized blood supply based on moment-to-moment needs. When a specific area of brain is activated, blood flow to that area momentarily increases to meet the demand. As the local brain activation returns to baseline, the local blood flow returns to baseline as well. Patterns of local brain blood flow thus provide an ongoing map of patterns of local brain activation.
Peter Van Deusen: Practical Brain Based Assessment (26 mins)
Successful client outcomes require more than knowledge of the brain and technology of neurofeedback. This practical structure of the trainer's functions provides a model for your development growing out of 10 years of"educating trainers". It covers the gamutfrom the basics of site-finding and lead placement to answering the classic questions of when to change protocols and when training can be terminated.
Robert Gurnee:"QEEG-Based Neurofeedback with ADD" (24 mins) The three research-based QEEG subtypes of ADD will be presented.The key discriminating factors such as the highest power elevations in the frontal poles, right worse than left frontal and posterior asymmetry, reduced Delta, posterior attention circuit (P4 -T6) abnormalities, frontal pole hypercoherence will be explained as will be their implications for treatment.The case for the risks of standard protocols versus the need for individualized treatment interventions will be presented.
K.H. Wong:The Role of QEEG in Neurofeedback (31 mins) Among others, quantitative EEG, with or without topographic brain mapping, ascertains the brain status prior to training, facilitates training/treatment protocol design and pre-post treatment comparisons. However, there are issues from hardware, software to different processing approaches that could change the dynamics or interpretation of the QEEG, especially with regard to reference or normative databases. Furthermore,what do you train when the QEEG is "within normal limits"?Is deviancy less than 2 standard deviation normal ? These and related issues will be addressed.
Jay Gunkelman:Using QEEG with Neurofeedback (43 mins)
Joe Kamiya: Past, Present & Future of Neurofeedback (39 mins)
Tom Budzynski: Alpha Theta Training-How It all Began & where it is Now (67 mins)
Michael Cohen: Challenges and Basics of EEG (21 mins)
John Demos: Electrode Placement - Where, Why & How (56 mins)
John Demos: Integrating Neurofeedback with qEEG (29 mins)
Paul G. Swingle:Beginners Grand Rounds (49 mins) Following the GRAND ROUNDS format, actual patient records will be scrutinized to provide step-by-step procedures for the neurotherapeutic treatment of a wide variety of disorders. The problem of artifacts that compromise treatment will be examined. Complementary treatments that potentate neurotherapy will be discussed in detail so that participants can incorporate these procedures in their practices.
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