Unlocking Healing: A Comprehensive Guide to Neurofeedback, Biofeedback, and EMDR Therapy

Posted Feb 21, 2024 by Improving Lives Counseling Services, Inc. | Therapy

Neurofeedback, Biofeedback, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are three brain stimulation therapies used to treat mental health disorders, behavioral disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They all play a significant role in treating mental illness, yet they differ greatly. Our team of licensed counselors and therapists use these brain stimulation therapies in combination with other therapies, or when other treatments have failed.

NEUROFEEDBACK

Brain stimulation therapies can play a significant role in treating mental disorders. Neurofeedback therapy is used to teach self-control of brain functions by teaching clients how their brains react to certain triggers. It is a type of non-invasive therapeutic intervention that uses EEG sensors to monitor a patient’s brain activity. The patient is then given audio and visual interpretation (feedback) of that activity to understand what is happening physiologically. The goal is through repeated sessions the patient can develop the ability to control brainwave patterns, better regulate emotions, control behavior, and improve cognitive functioning.

Often used as a complementary treatment, neurofeedback is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), insomnia, neurological disorders, anxiety, and depression. While neurofeedback therapy may sound complicated, the entire process can be translated and simplified to meet the specific needs of the patient. Studies have shown that neurofeedback therapy is as effective in treating ADHD as is a large dose of Ritalin.

EYE MOVEMENT DESENSITIZATION AND REPROCESSING

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a mental health treatment technique designed to help clients overcome the effects of painful, traumatic, repressed, and/or generational memories. Francine Shapiro, the developer, believed that “traumatic memories could become stuck or improperly processed in the brain, leading to chronic symptoms and distress.” She posited that patients can better cope with traumatic thoughts when experiencing saccadic eye movements – “rapid, ballistic movements of the eyes that abruptly change the point of fixation” (National Library of Medicine).

Desensitization and Reprocessing Phase

The mental health provider helps the client recall negative feelings, thoughts, images, and physical sensations related to the traumatic experience. Focusing on a specific memory, the patient is told to move their eyes in a specific way, engaging the patient in bilateral stimulation. Throughout the treatment, the mental healthcare provider helps clients identify how they feel, what new or differing thoughts mean, and insight into their deepest feelings about the experience.

BIOFEEDBACK

Biofeedback is defined as a therapeutic technique that utilizes electronic monitoring instruments. However, many in the psychiatric community believe clients, through therapy, can be “taught” stress management techniques using body awareness to provide feedback about body functions. This cadre of specialists employs guided exercises to impart a level of conscious control over heart rate, muscle tension, and the central nervous system.

Biofeedback has been shown to control heart rate, lower blood pressure, reduce symptoms of stress, anger, and anxiety, and aid in pain management. With a focus on the conscious mind the client is taught how to identify physical changes caused by stress, how to track these changes, and how to “guide” the body back to a sense of calm. Used as a complementary therapy, biofeedback helps clients regulate the mind and body to improve both physical and mental health.

SUMMARY

Centered on the relationship between the motion of the eye and psychopathology, EMDR’s initial and most widespread use is in the treatment of veterans suffering PTSD. Other candidates include victims of domestic violence, natural disasters, assault / sexual assault, traumatic medical conditions, long-covid, chronic untreated pain, and grieving (spouses) families.

EMDR aims to facilitate the adaptive processing of memories, lessening the impact of traumatic events and the effect these events have had on the client. Research indicates that EMDR reduces the time it takes for a client to recover from psychological trauma and heal from distressing life experiences.

The trained, licensed, professional counselors, therapists, and clinicians of Improving Lives Counseling Services use EMDR in the treatment of ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), anxiety disorder, chronic stress, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, panic disorders, phobias, and depression. Call to learn more.