Home Practice Tools

Enhancing your results

I may suggest that you purchase or rent some tools – ones that I’ve found especially useful in my practice.

You can use links I provide or source your own options.  What matters to me is that you get the results you’re looking for.

I’m here to provide information, options, guidance, and feedback at any stage of our coaching process.

Brain shifting (neuromodulation)

I usually start with a lightweight headband that runs via an iOS or Android device’s audio jack.  It uses a very low amplitude PEMF signal to “nudge” brainwaves into the desired frequency pattern.

I recommend it to my clients for several purposes.  I use it myself when I need to shift into a different “brain state.” For example,  I use it to relax into a calm, focused state, give me energy, become more alert, and deepen my meditation to prepare for creative work.

The trick is determining where you are now and where you want to be, mentally and emotionally.  It these states match up, great, but if not, having a tool that helps with the shift has proven invaluable to previous clients.

I’m quite enthusiastic about this tool.  It’s very flexible – with 10 preset programs (or protocol) for different situations.  However, it can be confusing for parents trying to decide which one or ones to use.  I understand the frequency settings behind each protocol and how they relate to your situation and goals, so I will have recommendations for which protocol to use and the desired session length.  Being a neurofeedback practitioner, I also have the ability to design custom protocol just for you, which can be particularly beneficial.

I’ll monitor your usage of different programs. Together, we can figure out what “recipe” works best for different circumstances and sequences of events.

Again, like any tool, you need to be able to use it appropriately. I’ll train and support you so you can get the results you’re looking for.

Brain training (neurofeedback)

If it’s tough to shift into a desired “brain state” for a particular task, it may be that your brain hasn’t established the necessary networks or patterns.

Maybe there are competing patterns that interfere with the shift that you need. Brain training, using signals that indicate when your brain (your EEG brain signal) is shifting in the desired direction, can be the missing piece in achieving better performance.

In my physical office, I have conducted a lot of neurofeedback training, so I’m familiar with the benefits of that modality.  I’m also familiar with the challenges.

High-level researchers and leaders in the field of neurofeedback have developed a device (headset) that you can purchase and use at home, and it works using the same principles as neurofeedback.  It’s convenient, relatively comfortable, and you can use it as often as you like without traveling to a specialist’s office.

Because it’s for home use, it’s considered a “wellness device,” so I can’t call it “neurofeedback.” However, it works the same way, so it really doesn’t matter what we call it as long as it works!

Getting more information

IF you think your child would benefit from this kind of brain training, then I’ll send you more information on it, and you can decide.  This particular tool runs via an iOS device.

It is a headset with 5 sensors and uses conductive paste to help transmit EEG signals to the app that runs on your phone. To use it, you’ll have to rent or purchase the headset and have an iOS device with the downloadable app. Unfortunately, it’s not compatible with Android systems.

Generally, I’ll start your child with a 30-minute assessment of brain activity and attention.  This will tell us about the likely source of your child’s attention problems (too much fast or too much slow activity).  The assessment will then guide my choice of brain training programs.

There are several options, and, if warranted, I can also design custom programs for your child.

The training programs are actually game-like activities guided and controlled by brainwave (EEG) signals.  So, in effect, your brain controls your success in the game, and the game adjusts in difficulty – depending on the activity of your brainwaves.

Seeing results

People find that if they “play the brain game” for 20 minutes/three times a week, they typically see changes in three months or fewer, and they find that the changes “stick.”

Not only that, but gains can continue for several months even after you stop using the headset.  Once your brain “learns” new patterns of self regulation, it continues to merge them with existing networks and is able to apply this learning to new situations.

Some researchers have reported IQ gains of 15 points from 20 to 30 hours of neurofeedback training. I can’t make promises, but I can say that you will see measurable outcomes.

Together, we can monitor progress via the practice sessions and assessments that your child completes with this program.

Call me now at (240) 466-1245 to arrange a brief consultation to see if we are a good fit.