I’ve been curious and intrigued by the brain since I was a child. Why do people behave the way they do? What makes people change? I realized early on in graduate school that there are some brain-based disorders that simply cannot be helped with psychotherapy alone. This is when I reached for something more, something to help heal the brain from the inside out. What I found was astounding..
The activity in your brain determines everything you feel and do.
While most people have normal brain function, they still have brain imbalances or chronic emotions that affect their day to day life. This is where neurofeedback can help.
Neurofeedback is where psychology and physiology meet. Neurofeedback retrains brainwave activity to allow the brain to stay in more comfortable, healthier norms. It is biofeedback for the brain. To understand neurofeedback, first we need to understand a little about brainwaves.
Brainwaves are the electrical impulses produced as your brain cells communicate with one another. Brainwaves tell us a great deal about how you feel and function; your thought habits, stress levels, underlying mood and overall brain function.
Using sensors on the scalp, we can measure and monitor this activity. With sophisticated brain analysis software, we can identify what specific brain regions are giving rise to your symptoms.
Once we know the areas of concern, we can create a training program to help draw your brain into a comfortable, efficient state. That brings us to neurofeedback.
During a neurofeedback session, we compare what your brain is actually doing to what you'd like it to be doing. When your brain is nearing a more comfortable state (or normative frequency), you are rewarded with a positive response in auditory or visual form on a computer screen. It tells your brain to “do that again”.
The sounds and images you see from your own neurophysiology tell you immediately when your brain approaches a more efficient state and when you’re headed in the opposite direction. When the music is melodic and in key, it is because your brain is approaching the desired state. You are literally hearing the symphony of your brain and nervous system. When your bright, vivid fractals disappear or become more plain, it is because your brain is heading towards undesirable frequencies. The same frequencies that causes anxiety, inattention, depression, insomnia, and any other negative impacts to your mental health.
Much like physical exercises develop specific muscles, the more your brain is trained to reach desired frequencies, the better it gets at it. The brain becomes optimized; it self adjusts and corrects into balance. The brain, through neuroplasticity is always changing. The brain learns through experience and feedback - the same way we learn any new skill. We give you the experience of your brain functioning at its most optimal frequency and feed that back to you half-second by half-second. In 20 sessions, the brain has 72,000 chances to relearn! As with aquiring any new skill, it simply requires time and repetition.
Stephanie Garcia is the owner of Neurofeedback Maui, located in lovely Maui Lani. She holds a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and is licensed in the State of Hawaii (MFT #611). Mrs. Garcia is also a Board Certified Neurotherapist and Board Certified Neurofeedback Specialist. She is also trained in Brainspotting and certified in Addictions Counseling. Stephanie has a unique interest and specialty in brain processes and the organ’s ability to heal and optimize functioning in the face of psychological and organic trauma. She is also extensively qualified in counseling psychology, with over ten years’ experience specializing in anxiety disorders, depression, addictions, familial and couple relationships, eating disorders, domestic violence, parenting support and behavioral therapy. Stephanie Garcia has been granted numerous awards and prestigious scholarships for her dedication to public service and servicing our communities most vulnerable populations. She currently accepts UHA for counseling services and has a sliding scale for those with financial hardships. Call today for your free comprehensive consultation.
1.888.706.3876
contact@neurofeedbackmaui.com
neurofeedbackmaui.com
