Common knowledge inside the field
If you look at the bottom of our home page, there's a section called "Common Knowledge inside the field". Where did these "common knowledge" comments come from? Are they really common knowledge among professional in the field? Here's a short list as examples:
- It improves the lives of at least 70-80% of clients. You come to expect success.
- The longer you use NF the more effective it tends to become . . . and the less often you need it.
- NF reduces "therapist burnout" from talk therapy.
- It tends to make psychotherapy go better.
These consensus comments from hundreds of clinicians over the last 5-10 years. Many were at courses and professional conferences about neurofeedback and brain regulation tools. These are simply common comments at conferences and training among clinical professionals who use this daily with clients. .
At what point does anecdotal become clinical common knowledge? 10 clinicians saying it? 100? There are far more than that. There are those - particularly other health professionals not familiar with the field or literature - that will not accept information until it's published in a journal.
Yet there are many MD's prescribing medications in ways that no studies in fact support. Neurofeedback and brain training tools don't cause any negative side effects and are increasingly being used for a wider range of problem. Usually, once professions or consumers are sufficiently educated about these tools and the scientific basis for them, they are more open to hearing what several thousand clinical professionals know. The first rule is do no harm. These technologies are safe and clinically useful. Whenever possible, they should be used first - before medications, which have known side effects.
Who are the professionals that come to these courses and conferences. The largest number are Ph.D. psychologists. Then there are licensed social workers, marriage and family counselors, educational psychologists, psychiatrists, RN's and a smattering of other disciplines. There are academics and researchers, though the vast majority are private clinicians.
Don't take what say as the gospel. We encourage you to dig deeper. Listen to the experts we interviewed - they talk about their surprises in how patients respond. Go to courses. Go to conferences if you like. Or call us to learn more. We'll be glad to help explain further.