Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
When you’re caring for a dysregulated child, every day can feel like a battle. After so many therapies, consultations, and conflicting advice, it makes perfect sense that you are overwhelmed and exhausted.
As both a mental health expert and a parent, I know how heavy it feels when nothing seems to truly help and time feels like it’s running out.
How Neurofeedback Became a Trusted Brain-Based Therapy
Neurofeedback has been helping people since the 1960s. Once limited to research labs, it became more accessible in the 1980s—and today, it’s a trusted, science-backed therapy for kids with ADHD, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation.
With over 3,000 peer-reviewed studies (Hammond et al., 2016), neurofeedback has been shown to:
- Improve focus and attention
- Calm anxious thoughts
- Support emotional regulation
- Boost memory and mental clarity
- Rewire dysregulated brain patterns—naturally
For a lot of families, neurofeedback is that missing piece—especially when meds and talk therapy haven’t been enough. It’s gentle, backed by science, and helps calm the brain so real healing can finally start.
What is Neurofeedback and How Does it Work?
Looking for a way to help your child’s brain self-regulate—without meds, side effects, or more guesswork?
Neurofeedback is a gentle, science-backed solution that creates real, lasting change. It’s known for being:
- Safe
- Non-invasive
- Evidence-based
It’s especially helpful for kids struggling with:
- Focus and attention
- Emotional regulation
- Anxiety and overwhelm (Chen et al., 2021)
- Behavioral outbursts and reactivity
- Sleep challenges
- Executive dysfunction
Unlike traditional approaches that only manage symptoms, neurofeedback gets to the root. It supports a dysregulated brain—not by suppressing it, but by helping it learn a healthier rhythm.
How it works:
- EEG sensors provide real-time feedback on brainwave activity
- The brain sees what’s working—and what’s not
- Over time, it strengthens healthier patterns and quiets the ones causing distress
- This process taps into neuroplasticity—the brain’s natural ability to rewire and grow
As neuroscientist Dr. David Kaiser puts it: “Neurofeedback is a powerful tool for self-regulation. It offers a non-invasive approach to improving brain function by reinforcing optimal neural patterns.”
No meds. Just science, consistency, and a brain that finally knows how to find its calm.
How Does Your Child’s Brain Learn During Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback works through operant conditioning, a learning process where the brain responds to real-time feedback. It’s simple and completely safe.
Here’s what that looks like:
- When the brain produces healthy patterns, it gets a reward—like a sound or visual.
- When it shifts off track, the reward pauses, prompting it to reset.
- With practice, the brain starts to stay in those healthier states on its own.
That’s how neurofeedback teaches the brain to self-regulate, which leads to:
- Better focus
- Fewer emotional outbursts
- Calmer, more peaceful days
How We Track Progress
We measure how well your child’s brain is learning using three main tools:
- Brainwave power – how strong or active the signal is
- Time in the target state – how long the brain stays regulated
- Combined trends – looking at both consistency and quality over time
These insights show us how your child’s brain is responding to the training.
What Makes Neurofeedback Work So Well?
To get lasting results, a few key pieces need to be in place:
- We must train the right part of the brain—based on your child’s specific challenges.
- The brain must be capable of change—which it is, thanks to neuroplasticity.
- Home support matters—a calm, structured environment helps the brain hold onto progress.
Neurofeedback helps the brain build better patterns that actually stick—naturally, gently, and over time.
Because when we calm the brain first, everything else starts to fall into place.
What Happens During a Neurofeedback Session?
Wondering what a neurofeedback session is really like? It’s simple, gentle, and surprisingly engaging—especially for kids.
- Your child wears a soft cap or sensors that measure brainwave activity (no pain, no electricity going into the brain—just measurement).
- Specialized software then gives the brain real-time feedback through a movie, game, or music.
- When the brain produces the desired patterns, the reward continues.
- If it shifts off course, the reward pauses—gently guiding the brain back to regulation.
Sessions usually last between 30 to 60 minutes, and most kids find them relaxing—even fun.
What’s even more exciting? This isn’t just surface-level change.
A study in Clinical EEG and Neuroscience found that neurofeedback leads to real, structural improvements in white and gray matter, which support better thinking and emotional control (Ghaziri et al., 2013).
What Conditions Can Neurofeedback Help With?
Parents often come to neurofeedback after trying everything else. They’ve done therapy, meds, behavior charts—and their child is still dysregulated.
Neurofeedback has been used for decades to help children and adults struggling with:
- ADHD
- Executive functioning issues
- Autism
- Learning disabilities
- Anxiety
- Depression
- OCD
- Sleep issues
- Chronic stress
- PTSD
- Concussion recovery
What ties these struggles together? A dysregulated brain. And that’s exactly where neurofeedback shines—by calming the nervous system and strengthening communication within the brain.
Research backs this up: a study by Marzbani et al. (2016) found that over 90% of individuals who completed neurofeedback saw significant symptom relief and better daily functioning.
This natural method doesn’t just manage symptoms—it works with the brain’s ability to change itself. It balances brainwaves, regulates neurotransmitters, and moves the nervous system out of “fight or flight.”
That’s when the real transformation begins: kids can focus, think clearly, sleep better, and connect more easily with others.
How Does Neurofeedback Improve Brain Function in Kids?
Your child’s thoughts, emotions, and actions all stem from brainwave activity.
- Brainwaves guide mental function—influencing focus, mood, and behavior.
- Each wave has a job. Fast ones support attention and problem-solving. Slower ones promote calm, sleep, and emotional recovery.
- When brainwaves fall out of balance, symptoms show up.
- Too many slow waves = brain fog or zoning out
- Too few fast waves = focus issues or impulsivity
- Too much fast activity = anxiety or emotional ups and downs
- Neurofeedback brings balance back. It teaches the brain healthier patterns—gently and naturally.
Bottom line? A calmer, more focused, more emotionally steady child—without medication.
What are the Types of Neurofeedback Training?
Neurofeedback isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s tailored to how your child’s brain works, learns, and responds.
We use three core types of neurofeedback, and each supports the brain in its own unique way:
1. Slow Cortical Potentials (SCPs)
- Targets slow brain shifts linked to arousal and attentionTrains the brain to self-regulate these rhythms
- Shown to reduce hyperactivity and boost focus (Strehl et al., 2017)
- Often used for ADHD and epilepsy
2. Coherence Training
- Strengthens communication between brain regions
- Improves brainwave sync for clearer thinking and steadier moods
- Supports anxiety, depression, learning differences, and delays
- Boosts focus, emotional regulation, and behavior
3. Frequency Training
- Balances overactive or underactive brainwaves
- Supports focus, mood, sleep, and memory
- Gentle and often used for kids with anxiety or emotional ups and downs
- Helps the brain find healthy rhythms—naturally and drug-free
Each method is matched to what your child’s brain needs most—because behavior is communication, and dysregulation is the clue.
How Does Frequency Training in Neurofeedback Improve Brain Function?
When brainwaves fall out of sync, frequency training helps gently reset them. Let’s break down what each wave does—and what can happen when they get knocked off track:
1. Delta Waves (0.2–4 Hz)
- Support deep and dreamless sleep
- Promote physical healing
- Boost melatonin and HGH for growth and repair
- Disruptions may impact memory, sleep quality or brain recovery
2. Theta Waves (4–8 Hz)
- Linked to creativity
- Active during light sleep and daydreaming
- Help with emotional release and subconscious processing
- Too much may lead to foggy thinking or zoning out
3. Alpha Waves (8–12 Hz)
- Encourage calm and clear focus
- Support emotional balance
- Help regulate feel-good chemicals like dopamine
- Imbalances may lower motivation or increase pain sensitivity
4. Beta Waves (12–27 Hz)
- Drive attention and mental sharpness
- Key for logic and decision-making
- Help with executive function
- Too much beta can lead to anxiety or overwhelm
5. Gamma Waves (27+ Hz)
- Boost learning and memory
- Deepen self-awareness
- Support emotional control and higher thinking
- Often strong in well-regulated brains
Is Neurofeedback Safe?
Yes—it’s safe, gentle, and incredibly well-tolerated by kids and teens.
No meds. No invasive tools. Just the brain learning to work better—on its own terms.
Neurofeedback doesn’t force anything. It doesn’t change brain chemistry or suppress symptoms.
Instead, it gives the brain a mirror—real-time feedback that teaches it how to shift into healthier patterns. It’s been around for decades, used with children and adults alike.
A review published in Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback found minimal risks and strong long-term benefits (Arns et al., 2017). That’s why it’s a go-to tool in my practice.
The Downside of Neurofeedback
Occasionally—your child might feel a little headache, tired, or overstimulated after a session or two.
Nothing scary. These usually pass quickly once the brain starts adjusting.
Always work with a licensed professional trained in neurofeedback. Proper credentials mean safer sessions tailored to your child’s brain.
When done right, neurofeedback is a powerful tool for lasting brain-based change.
Why is Neurofeedback Recommended for Children and Teens?
Neurofeedbacktherapy is a natural and pleasant option for parents looking for an alternative to psychiatric medications or stimulants for their children and teens.
It has been extensively researched and scientifically proven to effectively treat a wide range of clinical conditions that many young people face today.
Backed by decades of research, neurofeedback is a trusted, drug-free solution that teaches your child’s brain to self-regulate—naturally, gently, and with lasting results.
✓ Drug-Free and Non-Invasive
✓ Targets the Root Cause
✓ Minimal to No Side Effects
✓ Backed by Research
✓ Empowers the Brain
Because when we calm the brain first, everything else can follow. That’s how real change begins.
Looking for lasting change in your child’s emotional and mental well-being?
Our BrainBehaviorReset™ Program combines top-quality neurofeedback with other proven therapies—for a personalized, holistic, drug-free plan that actually works.
What’s Included:
- Neurofeedback therapy (in-person or virtual)
- PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy)
- Nutritional and supplement guidance
- Cognitive-behavioral support
- Other evidence-based tools tailored to your child’s brain and body
Who We Help
We support children and teens dealing with:
- ADHD and Executive Dysfunction
- Anxiety and OCD
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- PANS/PANDAS and Lyme Disease
- Dyslexia and Learning Disabilities
- Mood swings and behavioral dysregulation
We work with families at our Ridgefield, CT clinic and virtually across the U.S. and around the world.
Want to see what real transformation looks like? Explore our case studies to see how we help kids and families move from stress to success.
Parent Action Steps
FAQs
What can I expect from a neurofeedback session?
In our BrainBehaviorReset™ Program, we start with a QEEG brain map to see how your child’s brain is functioning. Then I create a custom plan based on my decades of experience.
Sessions (typically 40–50) happen 2–3 times a week. Your child relaxes and watches a movie while sensors gently train the brain to self-regulate—boosting focus, calm, and clarity over time.
How do I find a qualified neurofeedback provider?
Look for licensed clinicians or therapists with certification from organizations like BCIA or ISNR, and ensure they have post-degree training in neurofeedback, using professional directories for reference, or contact our Ridgefield Clinic!
Can neurofeedback be done at home?
Yes! With the right provider and equipment, remote neurofeedback can be safely and effectively done at home—just like we do in our BrainBehaviorReset™ Program.
How does biofeedback and neurofeedback differ?
Biofeedback trains the body to relax by controlling things like breath and heart rate. Neurofeedback trains the brain to improve focus, mood, and behavior.
Citations
Arns, M., Heinrich, H., & Strehl, U. (2014). Evaluation of neurofeedback in ADHD: The long and winding road. Biological Psychology, 95, 108–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2013.11.013
Chen, C., Xiao, X., Belkacem, A. N., Lu, L., Wang, X., Yi, W., Li, P., Wang, C., Sha, S., Zhao, X., & Ming, D. (2021). Efficacy Evaluation of Neurofeedback-Based Anxiety Relief. Frontiers in neuroscience, 15, 758068. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2021.758068
Ghaziri, J., Tucholka, A., Larue, V., Blanchette-Sylvestre, M., Reyburn, G., Gilbert, G., Lévesque, J., & Beauregard, M. (2013). Neurofeedback Training Induces Changes in White and Gray Matter. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 44(4), 265–272. https://doi.org/10.1177/1550059413476031
Hammond, D. C., Novian, D. A., & Duffy, F. H. (2016, November 11). Comprehensive Bibliography of Neurofeedback Research. ISNR. https://isnr.org/isnr-comprehensive-bibliography
Marzbani, H., Marateb, H., & Mansourian, M. (2016). Methodological Note: Neurofeedback: A Comprehensive Review on System Design, Methodology and Clinical Applications. Basic and Clinical Neuroscience Journal, 7(2). https://doi.org/10.15412/j.bcn.03070208
Strehl, U., Aggensteiner, P., Wachtlin, D., Brandeis, D., Albrecht, B., Arana, M., Bach, C., Banaschewski, T., Bogen, T., Flaig-Röhr, A., Freitag, C. M., Fuchsenberger, Y., Gest, S., Gevensleben, H., Herde, L., Hohmann, S., Legenbauer, T., Marx, A. M., Millenet, S., Pniewski, B., Rothenberger, A., Ruckes, C., Wörz, S., & Holtmann, M. (2017). Neurofeedback of slow cortical potentials in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A multicenter randomized trial controlling for unspecific effects. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 11, 135. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00135
Dr. Roseann is a mental health expert who frequently is in the media:
- The Holistic Counseling Podcast Therapist’s Integrative Tools: Neurofeedback and Biofeedback
- Life’s Essential Ingredients Connecting at the Root
- It’s Gonna Be OK! With Dr. Roseann Podcast: Neurofeedback Series
Always remember… “Calm Brain, Happy Family™”
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to give health advice and it is recommended to consult with a physician before beginning any new wellness regime. *The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.
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