Why are Northampton, MA (#1) and Asheville, NC (#2) the largest per capita cities for neurofeedback?
Also - does having large number of neurofeedback providers in a close area make it harder for each one to thrive?
There are probably 2 reasons that apply equally to both locations. We could be wrong but this is the sense we've gotten.
1) Both Northampton and Asheville are pretty small (similar size area covered). They support a lot of therapists for cities their size. Northampton has lots of universities in the city and surrounding area. They are probably more open to new things and perhaps "less invasive" options than other cities. But there are certainly other cities that are like that who haven't experienced anywhere close to the growth of neurofeedback that these two have.
2) The key additional factor - specific clinicians in the community that were so enthused by neurofeedback, that they actively shared it with other colleagues (without feeling threatened by competition). Sebern Fisher is a wonderful psychotherapist in Northampton. Once she learned about it, she really made all efforts to educate others. In Asheville, we believe Ed Hamlin at the Pisgah Institute was equally open, and worked to educate the community. Others there also picked it up quickly. Others also continued in the same spirit of educating others. (If we've left anyone out, we apologize).
Does having large number of neurofeedback providers in a close area make it harder for each one to thrive?
What's interesting is, many of the clinicians in these areas have said they do well. Certainly, there is always competition among therapists. However, there are so many possible specialties within therapy, each population segment is often served by different therapists. Also, most experienced clinicians find this as an adjunct to existing clients they already see. Not everyone is looking for neurofeedback as a "growth" business. Therapists and psychiatrists use it because it works as an alternative to what they current offer patients.