submitted by Dr. Maria DiDonato, D.Ed. Psychologist, Achievement & Wellness Center, www.achievewell.net

High school was a rough ride for Roberta (not her real name); life was an emotional roller coaster. Grades at school were always in an up and down cycle, and emotional difficulties kept her off balance with friends.

Home life was a constant struggle. It seemed all areas of life were an enormous challenge, and it was difficult to sustain any equilibrium or stability for more than a week or so.

Medication helped somewhat, but was not effective in maintaining a happy lifestyle. Tears punctuated daily life and flowed frequently, as frustrations affected every area of her life.  After graduation, she watched sadly as friends made plans to go to college.

Where was her future? She wondered if she had any, which added to her tears. She was becoming more lonely watching everyone else move on with their lives, while she struggled with finding her interests.

After learning about neurofeedback, Roberta agreed to an initial free consultation. Encouraged by the effect, she agreed to continue the treatments. Gradually, as she began to improve, her tears lessened, her mood swings became less severe, and she began talking about career goals.

After seeing improvement in her coping skills, her doctor agreed to lower the medication dosage.  It was a pleasure to see her smile more and think more positively about herself and her future.  She enrolled in some courses at the community college with specific career goals.

She is moving forward with her life and loving it. Roberta remains committed to neurofeedback and the stability she is achieving in her life.

She now has the confidence to look forward to a brighter, more independent future.

Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that helps restore brain balance in many disorders, including depression and anxiety, often reducing or eliminating the need for medications. 

submitted by Dr. Maria DiDonato, D.Ed. Psychologist, Achievement & Wellness Center, www.achievewell.net

Davey is a very sweet six-year-old boy who came for neurofeedback treatment because of behavioral and academic problems. His mother’s concern was that he was not progressing as well as his younger brother. He seemed to always be struggling socially with communicating and academically with several readiness skills.

Mother expressed frustration because Davey was not making much progress despite consultations with the available resources.  Struggling with the academics at school and behaviors at home and school interfered with his learning progress and social development.

We set a course of remediation after a psychological evaluation and a quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG). Mother followed through with our specific recommendations for a specialist and the child study team at school. Information from the QEEG indicated several areas of neurofeedback therapy needed in order to remediate emotional and behavioral components of Davey’s difficulties.

During the initial six-month course of neurofeedback treatment, Davey improved behaviorally and emotionally both at home and school. He began improving communication with others and making academic progress at school.

As neurofeedback treatment progresses, the next area will focus on remediating specific areas of learning disability which can help him improve and maintain satisfactory academic achievement.  When Davey is finished treatment, it is expected that his typical behaviors will be more age appropriate.

He will be happier and academic skills will continue to progress at grade level.

Neurofeedback works by improving brain function in areas that influence behavioral, emotional and functional skills. By identifying, reinforcing and rewarding the brain waves and neural pathways, brain activity improves.

As a result, skills improve, emotions become more balanced and overall well-being is achieved. 

submitted by Dr. Maria DiDonato, D.Ed. Psychologist, Achievement & Wellness Center, www.achievewell.net

Lois (not her real name) struggled academically and hardly could remember enough information to pass tests since elementary school.  She struggled with putting in long hours of studying, leaving very little time for enjoying herself with favorite activities.

Her parents were coaching in her studies; however, watching her struggle was a hardship for them.   Because of their frustration, they were referred for evaluation.  Following a quantitative electroencephalogram, areas of processing deficits were identified.

Lois began treatment and gradually was able to succeed with tests and was happier with her satisfactory school progress.  Later, during the time of treatment, she began to experience periods of depressed mood, sadness and irritability.  A treatment plan for depressed mood was the next step.

Gradually, her depression diminished and her irritability lessened.  While in treatment, she gradually became more independent with longer and longer periods of calmness.  She participated often at school events and enjoyed a rewarding high school experience.

Making satisfactory academic progress slowly became a routine and painless experience for her.  She was blossoming and happily making plans for college.

After successfully graduating from high school, Lois went off to college feeling more confident about herself and her abilities.  She was able to begin new studies and work successfully towards her career goals.

School is more enjoyable, she is happier and her future looks much brighter.  She is making progress in college, and has a more balanced approach to studying with a much happier outlook on life.

This young lady is accomplishing much, thanks to neurofeedback helping her to overcome any deficits she may have had. 

Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that helps balance brain activity to allow individuals to tap into and use their brain power more effectively.