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For existing clinicians (who already use neurofeedback)

 

Ready for what's next?

Have you taken courses or been to conferences on neurofeedback? Have you been doing neurofeedback for a while?  You may be itching to increase your neurofeedback skills, or to add other instruments or other equipment .

 

We always recommend - learn one thing well before you add anything to it.  Looking across many clinicians experience, it seems that trying to learn multiple systems/models/approaches/tools at the same time actually slows down your startup.  It's probably like trying to learn several different kinds of therapy at once.  It's better to learn one well, then add to it. 

 

Sometimes clinicians look for other tools because they're not getting consistent results.  Before you buy something else, do you know if you are making appropriate progress with clients now?  Are you getting the kind of results you should expect with neurofeedback?  If you're not sure, and would like help, contact us.  We can usually help you figure it out in a relatively short phone call - and what your options are.   

 

Increasing protocol skills is an important option. No matter what you know, there are always new site and frequency options you haven't tried.  Even if you're using qEEG's, they don't tell you all the training options.  There are a very limited number of courses that teach advanced protocol options, though you can pick up a lot of hints at some of the conferences.  Sometimes, a good mentor is enough, because you can just learn their protocol approach.  If you're looking for additional protocol training options, contact us. 

 

Other tools

But if you're ready to add something, there's a lot of options.  That being said, when you have tough clients and aren't sure what to do, you may want other equipment. Or, you just may want to use other tools to try to speed up the process with your clients.  Or, you like new toys.  You may run into experienced clinicians who have a number of tools, systems, etc.  They'll tell you how important they all are.  But they grew into them - they didn't start out with them.   We have a bias toward being practical.  We haven't seen lots of practice with major growth using lots of different tools.  That doesn't mean the tools aren't helpful, but do they all buy you a more successful practice? It's not so clear.

 

What other tools are used as adjuncts with neurofeedback training? click here

We've created a list of tools that are used by clinicians.  There are more, but this is a very good start.  Each has its proponents.   You can go research all of them and figure out what works.  You may not need any help.   If you do need help figuring out what makes sense for your practice, our consulting can be of help. To try to make sense from of this list is very challenging.  Talking to other clinicians is useful, but many times they aren't familiar with all the options. We work to understand your practice, your target patients and your style before we make any recommendations. 

 

EEG neurofeedback options vs. other options

Since this section is for clinicians who already do neurofeedback, we assume you already have a neurofeedback system.

 

Is it useful to consider adding another EEG neurofeedback device, vs. adding from the "other tools" page?  It might be.  There are some who argue, if you are already making reasonable progress with your neurofeedback, don't add another EEG device.  Add other tools that are complimentary to EEG neurofeedback, and clearly are very different than another neurofeedback system.  There are pros and cons to this view - it depends on which system you start with, what results you are getting, what you are trying to achieve by adding a new system, etc. 

 

There's a lot of instrument options.  There's EEG Spectrums's EEGer software, Thought Technology's Infinity, J&J, Deymed from The Czech republic, Neurocare Pro, Neuropathways and Brainmaster, They all have their pros and cons.  It's very difficult to simply create a list and try to check off features.  It's more involved than that.  Your goal is for improved outcomes.  Even clinicians who use one system have a hard time comparing their outcomes to others who use another system.    Some have better amplifiers, some have better software, some show you more EEG, some less, some are cheaper, some have certain games, some focus on using different training parameters than others. Does buying an FDA registered device matter?  If you want to try to compare them it's very challenging and assess which is best, it's a challenging process.  

 

You need to consider is there a new learning curve, or can you pick it up fast?  Are you going to choose the same model or a different training model than your currently use.  Will the same expertise be needed for each system.  Are you going to need extra training for a system?  Are you going to need extra training or supervision for a new training model?   Are you going to use qEEG's?  Will you use a service or do the analysis yourself?  Who are you going to use for mentoring that?  Does it matter what database that is used for your qEEG's? 

 

Will you support home use?  What's the pros and cons of that? There's Smart Brain Games, there's Play Attention.  Are they a better option than conventional neurofeedback for the home?  What limitations do they have in a clinical environment? 

 

These are all issues you must decide and assess.  Think we're purposefully trying to make it look complicated? We're not.  It's really that confusing.  It's just part of the process.   We've known many clinicians who've spent a great deal of time and money just trying to figure out what to do - going to conferences, training's. etc.  

 

We can help you compare or choose

Neurofeedback Solutions offers consulting.  We can help you sort it out the options, and understand which issues are even important for your situation.  Our focus is always on what works best in a clinical practice.  That is our bias.   If you'd like help in comparing them, we help.  

 

If you want recommendations, we'll give you some. But first we need to understand about you, your practice or credentials and who you are trying to serve, staffing, office, how busy are you currently, what's your training in neurofeedback, and any other relevant information. Then we can help you discuss what your best options are. Click here for more information or to contact us. 

 

Option 2 which is the other tools options .  There's a whole host of other devices that are in the neuro-regulation arena, but are not EEG biofeedback devices specifically.  They include Audio Visual Stimulation, Alpha-Stim, HEG (both PIR- passive infra red and NIR - near infrared, two different pieces of equipment), the Lens machine, pRoshi, Interactive Metronome, an Integrative Motion chair, a CO2 monitor for breathing/HRV regulation, Heart Rate variability and more.   There's a lot here and all the approaches have value.   Again, we don't suggest these as your starting point.  Any one could be useful to add on and help accelerate the success of your neurofeedback.