Is Neurofeedback Treatment Right For Me?

Each recovery journey will be unique, and overcoming mental health disorders, addiction, or a combination therein in co-occurring disorders should address the unique needs of each individual. Finding the right treatment program to overcome any personal challenges is a major part of a truly effective and transformative recovery. From cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectal behavioral therapy (DBT) to experiential treatment and more, each person will engage in a combination of proven practices for an effective approach to addiction and mental health treatment. Neurofeedback treatment is another one of the personalized treatment options available at Hawaii Island Recovery. 

Understanding neurofeedback is the first step in making use of its transformative potential. Neurofeedback is a therapeutic approach to treatment that empowers those in recovery to better understand and control their thought patterns and regulate brain activity. Treatment using neurofeedback functions by addressing a person’s neuroplasticity, or the ability of the brain to change and adapt by making new connections. Addiction, mental health disorders, and traumatic experiences can all instill challenging thought patterns, and by empowering an individual to utilize the brain’s ability to change, it is possible to address and overcome various challenges. 

In a neurofeedback session, practitioners will be seated with electrodes placed on the scalp which monitor various brainwaves. Then, an individual is shown various stimuli – either visual, auditory, or even through playing a game – while receiving feedback on how their brains are responding to these various stimuli. 

These responses of the brain are relayed to professionals and those engaging in neurofeedback treatment and help those navigating recovery identify and recognize how each person reacts to certain stimuli to establish a new “normal,” resting state for a person’s brain. For some, this can be an empowering experience that can promote better emotional regulation, while others may learn about themselves and improve effective mindfulness strategies to identify stressful and non-stressful situations and thought patterns. 

Effective use of neurofeedback treatment can help those in recovery not only recognize and identify healing and controlled mental states but also begin to adjust their thought patterns to create a new mental homeostasis as their brainwaves align with a specific desired pattern. Through positive reinforcement, those in recovery can challenge unhealthy emotional states or thought patterns and instead pursue a healthier, stable mental state. 

By providing the skills needed for self-regulation, each individual can further engage in other therapeutic modalities or address personal needs, goals, and milestones in their recovery journey. This level of self-empowerment can be essential for regaining a feeling of agency while overcoming trauma, mental health disorders, or addiction.

Committing to neurofeedback treatment can be a major step toward healing. However, it can still be intimidating, and knowing what to expect can help deconstruct some of these barriers. 

Neurofeedback sessions typically last between 30 minutes and an hour, depending on the individual and how the session goes. However, these sessions can always be personalized to each individual. Likewise, many may also engage in multiple sessions per week, scheduling neurofeedback treatment sessions alongside other treatment modalities such as group therapy or experiential therapies. Keeping these sessions as consistent as possible can also add to their efficacy.

Effective neurofeedback treatment will take multiple sessions to truly make the best use of the treatment. Repetition is key to helping the mind truly adjust and adopt a new “normal” based on the feedback provided. Working with professionals to further individualize the treatment while setting new goals is crucial for effective healing through neurofeedback.

While neurofeedback can be an effective tool for those navigating their personal recovery journey, it may not be the best approach for everyone. However, neurofeedback treatment has seen success in helping to overcome not just addiction but also challenging anxiety, depression, trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Each of these challenges on its own can be difficult to address, and neurofeedback treatment can be an additional option for effectively addressing the hurdles and stresses in daily life. 

While neurofeedback treatment can be instrumental in identifying and overcoming unhealthy mental states and manners of thinking, it is not a replacement for other therapeutic modalities. Combining neurofeedback treatment with other forms of effective treatment, individual and group therapy, or medication-assisted treatment (MAT) where necessary is crucial to making the most out of the transformative potential. 

Talking with Hawaii Island Recovery’s trained professionals can help each person determine if neurofeedback to overcome addiction, trauma, or mental health disorders is right for them, and how to incorporate it into a holistic and comprehensive treatment plan. 

Neurofeedback is just one option available at Hawaii Island Recovery, and there are always new opportunities to explore. While neurofeedback is a proven and effective approach to addressing addiction, PTSD, and various mental health disorders, combining it with effective mindfulness practices, nature-based healing, spiritual healing, and new experiential therapies can create a genuinely transformative experience. Hawaii Island Recovery’s treatment programs in Hawaii offer a place to explore how each person can best approach their healing journey and find the most effective practices for each individual. 

Neurofeedback treatment is just one option for those navigating their recovery from substance use, trauma, PTSD, mental health disorders, and more. We at Hawaii Island Recovery champion the opportunity to help each person explore not only the unique challenges that they face each day but also the various options they have for healing. Your time with us is personalized with the approaches that best resonate with your healing journey, and by combining effective strategies like neurofeedback treatment with a curated healing environment, peers, and more, we create a holistic approach to your transformed life. For more information on neurofeedback and our various treatment programs in Hawaii, call to speak to us today at (866) 390-5070.