What is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is advanced form of brain training technology. Grounded in extensive clinical research, this safe, natural, and non-invasive method facilitates profound transformations in mental well-being. Neurofeedback involves the measurement and analysis of electrical activity generated by the central nervous system. This data is then used to tailor personalized brain training exercise. By employing real-time electroencephalography (EEG) displays throughout the whole session, Neurofeedback simultaneously teaches brain self-regulation across the range of emotional, sensory and cognitive functions. It provides invaluable insights to your brain, enabling it to reorganize itself for optimal performance. As a result, clients typically experience enhanced physical and emotional well-being.

What issues in Neurofeedback dealing with?

In addition to the extensive range of issues outlined in the Services section of our website, Neurofeedback can also effectively address common challenges resulting from the stressors of modern life and other influences. These challenges can significantly impact our cognitive processing efficiency, leading to diminished performance and emotional distress.

Among the issues that Neurofeedback can help with are:

• Difficulty Concentrating

• Fatigue

• Inadequate Coping Strategies

• Diminished Personal Empowerment

• Impaired Mind-Body Coordination

• Cognitive Instability

• Poor Impulse Control

• Learning Difficulties

• Personality Instability

• Lack of Mental Clarity

• Decision-Making Challenges

• Cognitive Decline

• Sleep Disturbances

• Emotional Distress

• Reduced Self-Awareness

• Cognitive Overload

• Heightened Reactivity

• Difficulty Sustaining Focus

• Declining Physical Health

• Lack of Adaptability

• Delayed Response Times

• Rigid Beliefs

• Limited Problem-Solving Abilities

Neurofeedback offers a holistic approach to address these challenges, promoting optimal brain function and overall well-being.

What benefits are experienced by senior professionals, executives and high performing individuals?

Although there is a wide range of benefits, the quickest to notice is that training sessions:

• improve memory, concentration, attention and focus

• speed of learning and depth of comprehension

• quiet mind chatter

• improve positive attitude

• improve mental agility

• improve resilience

• improve quality of decision making (such as problem solving, creative and innovative thinking)

• improve resilience to stress and fatigue, reduce burnout

• improve productivity and performance

• improve emotional stability, regulation and general confidence

How are all these benefits possible naturally and without use of medication?

During our training sessions, your brain will effortlessly and subconsciously learn to observe brainwaves and optimize range of mental, cognitive and body functions. The relationship between neurotransmitters which affect your mood and memory (such as serotonin, dopamine, acetylcholine, and GABA), and brainwaves is intricate and interconnected. Brainwave activity can influence the release and balance of neurotransmitters. For instance, certain brainwave patterns, like alpha waves associated with relaxation, have been linked to increased production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin. By the end of your training, your brain will acquire the ability to self-regulate across the entire spectrum of brainwaves, resulting in the simultaneous development of multiple benefits.

Do you diagnose or treat conditions?

We train rather than diagnose or treat. Neurofeedback brain training serves as a tool for optimizing brain function. During each session, your brain retains complete control over any adjustments it chooses to make. The system we utilize at Executive Brain Mastery does not directly impact your brain—it does not stimulate it or introduce electrical currents. Instead, our system functions as a mirror, reflecting information back to your brain and central nervous system. This process enables your brain to identify patterns of stress and make necessary adjustments to alleviate them.

What should I do before, during and after the session?

Before the Session: Although not necessary, it’s best to steer clear of stimulants such as tea, coffee, sugars, alcohol, and illicit drugs leading up to your session. Other than these recommendations, there's nothing else you need to do except come along to reap the benefits of Neurofeedback training.

During the Session: certified practitioner will guide you through the process. You'll be seated in a comfortable chair, ensuring a relaxed setting. If available, you may also use a bed. The session begins with a brief consultation with your practitioner, followed by the connection to the EEG system. Three sensors will be connected to your ears and two sensors will be carefully placed at your scalp to monitor your brain activity. Background music will start, but system does not require you to place your attention on the training screen or music in order to run a successful session.  If you can hear the music, then the training session will be executed successfully. You may choose from the range of activities such as to read, meditate, send emails, play video games, browse mobile phone. About one third of clients even sleep during the session (while their sub-conscious brain still does the work). Pretty much every activity that you can do from your chair (or bed) is possible for as long as there is no additional audio source interfering with the music that comes from the system. If you do not like our selection of music, you can bring your own audio or even watch your own video/movie file. If you opt for your own media, please advise us in advance so that we personalize a system to your preferences. Our Neurofeedback system operates through auditory perception interruptions, similar to “scratches” that one can hear by listening to vinyl turntable records. These interruptions or “glitches” are generated by your brain's feedback as you listen to the music. They aren't pre-set in the music; instead, they are live feedback from your own brainwaves captured by the EEG system. Each interruption indicates a brain adjustment, ensuring the music continues to play smoothly. Most individuals find the sessions enjoyable; there's no specific action required from you. Over-focusing on issues during the session may be to some degree even counterproductive; relaxing and letting go allows your brain to make necessary adjustments more easily.

After the Session: You can resume your normal activities and notice the improvements that have occurred.

How many sessions should I take? How often should I train?

Each individual embarks on their Neurofeedback journey from a unique starting point, shaped by their personal history and reasons for seeking training. While some may achieve their desired outcome in as few as ten sessions, most typically require between ten and twenty sessions, and occasionally more. It's important to note that you don't need to complete ten or twenty sessions to start experiencing benefits; positive changes often manifest within the initial sessions. Neurofeedback is not a quick fix; it's a comprehensive program that allows your brain and central nervous system to shed old habits and undergo healthy re-training. This transformative process benefits from dedication and regular sessions to yield lasting results. The total number of sessions varies for each individual, and we tailor your Brain Training Program accordingly. Your certified Neurofeedback practitioner will assess your needs during initial consultation, will present you typical results including chances for success (based on 3 million hours of training) and recommend a personalized program tailored to your specific requirements.

Neurofeedback is similar to any standard training - repetition is key to developing skills and fostering resilience for long-lasting outcomes. Typically, individuals begin with one session per week. Optimal outcomes can be achieved with two sessions per week for those seeking faster results. However, many clients have achieved significant improvements with fortnightly sessions or less. This includes fly-in-fly-out mining workers who train intensively for a few consecutive days once every three weeks or less. Additionally, clients on the move may opt for daily or twice-daily sessions for a week, with benefits persisting over time post-Neurofeedback training. Ultimately, any frequency of training is beneficial, and we can tailor an individual program to accommodate your lifestyle and budget.

Will there be any side effects?

For your safety, we've meticulously selected and invested in the most advanced Neurofeedback Technology available on the market today to minimize possible side effects. Any sensations experienced during or after a session are natural responses by your central nervous system to the training challenge. Despite the sessions feeling relaxing, your brain is actively engaged in the process—it's like a workout for your brain. As training progresses, old patterns are stirred up and challenged, which may initially cause some discomfort, some clients may feel a little bit “off”. This discomfort, which in some cases could be tiredness, sleep disruption, or headaches (which all may not be related to the training) is temporary and typically resolves within hours after the session (or after few sessions). These effects diminish over time as your central nervous system becomes stronger, more flexible, and more resilient. If you experience any concerns, don't hesitate to reach out to your dedicated neurofeedback practitioner for guidance. Remember, Neurofeedback provides information for your brain to self-organize, so any temporary discomfort is a natural part of the adjustment process, not a safety issue.

With gradual changes coming from each session, how will I know if I am experiencing progress?

Some clients experience the positive effects of Neurofeedback right from their initial few sessions, often sensing changes between sessions before the full transformation sets in. The shifts brought by Neurofeedback are frequently effortless and seamless, which can make it challenging to recognize. The simplicity of the process may lead some to attribute improvements to other factors in their lives.

As clients progress toward optimal brain functionality, they may struggle to recall accurately their initial state during the initial consultation. To ensure progress is monitored effectively, with your permission and agreement we track your advancements after each session and assess overall progress every 10 sessions. It's crucial to monitor even subtle changes in areas where improvement is sought.

While many clients experience seamless changes, some may encounter less comfortable feelings, such as increased vulnerability or heightened emotional responsiveness. These feelings may arise as individuals will become more aware of their emotions. Despite persisting symptoms, clients often find that symptoms occur less frequently and with reduced intensity as they progress through their Neurofeedback training program. Additionally, they may notice improved coping mechanisms and decreased stress levels.

Changes in your behavior and emotional state may also affect those around you, such as family members, colleagues, and friends, who may find themselves challenged by your newfound clarity, assertiveness and healthy boundaries. Furthermore, as your brain becomes more finely tuned, negative effects of certain habits, such as excessive alcohol consumption or poor sleep habits, may become more apparent. It's important to adjust accordingly, as your tolerance for substances like alcohol or caffeine may decrease over time.

I am taking medication. Should I continue with it?

If you're currently taking medication for a disorder, you may find that over time you require less medication. This reduction in medication dosage may become apparent due to some clients starting experience new side effects from the medication or, perhaps unexpectedly, the return of symptoms for which you are taking medication. It's important to note that all decisions regarding medication should be discussed with your physician. Therefore, please inform your physician about your Neurofeedback brain training and any effect you may be experiencing from the medication. It's essential to continue following your physician's advice and treatment plan for your medical conditions. Please note that some medications may impact brain waves, in which case Neurofeedback training benefits may take a slightly longer to achieve desired benefits.

Is this replacement for phycological counselling or other self-improvement activities and tools?

These activities played a role in your wellbeing and they got you to where you are. As a result of Neurofeedback training things may likely “click together”, they will integrate itself and you may find a new meaning and applications to all good things you have learnt during the years of self-improvement efforts. Having said that - it is recommended that other phycological tool and activities are temporarily put on hold until you are going through this training program.

How long do changes last?

As changes become more stable, they will become your new norm and will remain with you through your lifetime.  It’s like learning how to read or swim - once you know how, you can’t not know, although you may get rusty.  However, your brain is a living tissue and can get thrown off by new stress, chemicals, hormonally changes, an anesthetic, head injury or other challenge. If that happens, one or two booster sessions typically help your brain return to its good place.

Can I claim Neurofeedback sessions?

Neurofeedback trainings are not eligible for claims under Medicare, private health insurance in Australia or for the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) Health Card. If you are attending training to improve performance or psychological aspects in relation to your regular work, training costs may be tax deductible (please speak to your tax agent). NDIS may cover costs of your training - please speak to us about that.