What is Neurotherapy? (REVISED DRAFT for review)

Neurotherapy is a way of training the brain to regulate itself, using a live display of its own electrical activity. It is most often another name for neurofeedback, also called EEG biofeedback or brainwave training. Sensors on the scalp record brainwave activity (the EEG), and the client receives sound and picture feedback the moment their brain moves toward a healthier pattern. Over repeated sessions the brain learns to produce that pattern on its own.

Some clinicians use the word more broadly, for any treatment aimed directly at how the brain functions. On this site, and in most clinics, neurotherapy means neurofeedback and the brain assessment (QEEG) that guides it.

What does a neurotherapist do?

A neurotherapist is a licensed health or mental-health professional, such as a psychologist, counselor, social worker, physician or nurse, who has trained in neurofeedback. Many are board certified by the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). Neurotherapy is usually one part of a wider treatment plan, alongside psychotherapy or medical care, not a replacement for it.

The work follows the same steps with each client:

• Assess. Record the client’s brainwaves, often as a quantitative EEG (QEEG) “brain map”, and compare them with what is typical for their age, to see where the brain may be over-aroused, under-aroused or poorly coordinated.
• Plan. Choose a training protocol aimed at the patterns linked to that client’s symptoms.
• Train. Run sessions in which music, a game or a film responds to the client’s brain activity, rewarding the brain whenever it moves in the right direction.
• Review. Track symptoms and brainwave changes over time, and adjust the plan as the client improves.

What happens in a neurotherapy session?

The client sits comfortably while the clinician places a few sensors on the scalp with a conductive paste. Nothing is put into the brain: the sensors only listen. The client then watches or listens to the feedback, and the training itself typically takes 20 to 30 minutes. Most people need a series of sessions, often twenty or more, because the brain learns gradually, much as it does with any new skill. For a closer look, see How does neurofeedback work?

What is neurotherapy used for?

Clinicians use neurotherapy with people who have attention problems (ADHD), anxiety, depression, sleep difficulties, the effects of a brain injury, and other conditions in which brain regulation plays a part. It also appeals to people looking for an approach that does not rely on medication, those who have not responded well to other treatments, and people who simply want to improve focus and reduce stress.

The research is strongest for ADHD: the American Academy of Pediatrics lists biofeedback among its best-supported psychosocial interventions for attention and hyperactivity. For other conditions, the research library summarizes the published studies and what each one found.

How much does neurotherapy cost, and does insurance pay for it?

A session typically costs between $75 and $200, depending on the location and on whether a QEEG assessment is included. Many clinics are private-pay. Insurance coverage depends on the plan and the state; some plans reimburse biofeedback for particular diagnoses and others do not, so clients should check with their insurer before starting.

Becoming a neurotherapist

Neurotherapy is added to an existing clinical license rather than practiced on its own. The usual route is a BCIA-approved didactic course, mentored practice and the BCIA exam; practitioners who interpret brain maps can go on to QEEG certification with the IQCB. Certification Requirements sets out each step, and our neurofeedback workshops, taught by clinicians with active practices, cover the coursework.