Biofeedback is simply the feeding back of a biological signal to you, the producer of the signal. These signals include:
These biological signals are recorded by computerized biofeedback systems. Through the information provided, you are able to change your physiological state in a desired direction and thus become more skilled at psychophysiological self-regulation.
The most common indications for applied psychophysiology and biofeedback in the area of medicine, dentistry and behavioral disorders are:
STRESS DISORDERS: Variety of functional disorders, especially headaches (migraine and tension), essential hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, Raynaud’s disorder.
PAIN DISORDERS: Biofeedback and other self-regulation procedures may aid in direct self-management of tension headache and other neuromuscular pain disorders and help patients with other kinds of pain to adapt less emotionally to the pain experience (it does not “cure” pain).
BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS: Applications of psychophysiological technology to biofeedback-assisted relaxation and to desensitization is a common adjunct in treating post-traumatic stress, delayed stress, generalized anxiety, various phobias and anger / self regulation disturbances.
EXCESSIVE MOTOR TONE: Neuromuscular disorders of spasticity, cramping and / or chronic muscular contraction movement disorders.
TYPICAL PROCEDURES IN BIOFEEDDBACK
Practitioners should be skilled in specific training techniques to aid patients in gaining better control of disregulated body systems
Typical specific training techniques include:
Homework exercises and assignments are an integral part of the training process. These may include:
Deficits in working memory can affect an individual's ability to focus attention, control impulses and solve problems. Impairments of working memory are found in a wide range of individuals who experience attention deficits, such as children and adults with ADD or ADHD, persons with learning disabilities and victims of stroke or traumatic brain injury.
Cogmed is based on a breakthrough discovery that individuals can train and improve their working memory. Cogmed's working Memory Training Program helps:
Through a combination of software-based memory exercises and personal coaching, participants engage in a challenging five-week program using an Internet-connected computer. Cogmed's program has been validated by high-impact research in controlled scientific studies.
QEEG Brain Mapping is a diagnostic procedure that records electrical activity in the brain. Most people are familiar with the EKG that represents the electrical activity of the heart. EEG represents the electrical activity of the brain. It serves as a basis for identifying variations in brain function that are associated with different types of neurological disorders including Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities, Depression, Dementia, Mild Head Injury and Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder. This electrical activity can be recorded by using sensors placed on the scalp and feeding it back on a computer monitor. Brain mapping provides a more objective and accurate diagnosis and provides more detailed information on any brainwave imbalance. This brain map helps guide the neuroNeurofeedback training.
Different EEG patterns correspond to different mental states. There are different patterns for sleep:
Children with ADD or ADHD appear to have slow brainwaves that dominate the faster brainwaves that are typically associated with alertness, problem-solving, reading , and performing tasks. If children with ADD/ADHD are asked to read while they are hooked up to an EEG, their brainwaves slow down rather than speed up into the beta range that is required for concentration and attention. QEEG has been used as a diagnostic tool and helps direct medication selection.
EEG Neurofeedback training involves learning to change these computer images by actively involving the client to learn to regulate their own physiology. Because these changes in brainwaves are initially small and momentary, a great deal of coaching and reinforcement is done during the training sessions. Much like physical therapy is used to strengthen muscles and extend range of motion, brainwave Neurofeedback uses a series of instrument assisted training sessions over several weeks or months to help a person gain greater control and flexibility in brainwave activity.
We use data from the quantitative EEG to discover what areas of the brain are having a hard time activating, or having a hard time synchronizing with each other. With this detailed analysis, EEG Neurofeedback protocols are developed to retrain the brain, leading to increased communication, processing and attentional capabilities. A neurologist and Encephaloglogist will interpret the EEG and identify any organic issues that may contribute to psychiatric illness. This allows for effective training in more complex cases such as multiple learning disabilities, developmental delays and mild head injuries. EEG Neurofeedback training consists of 35 tp 40 sessions 2 to 3 times per week.
DBT was originally developed using cognitive-behavioral techniques and mindfulness for adults who suffered from extreme emotions and maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. A common theory supporting DBT is that we begin forming inaccurate beliefs about the past, unrealistic expectations about the present, and unattainable desires for the future which results in emotional distress and inappropriate behaviors.
Dialetical is a method of developing skills to resolve conflicts and DBT is based on a theory to teach clients to accept themselves while simultaneously working toward change. The focus is building self-awareness, increasing nonjudgmental observations of surroundings, and decreasing impulsive responses.
The primary goal is to identify and work towards changing patters that increase stress and suffering. DBT has been shown to strengthen an individual's ability to cope with stress across several populations, including adults, teens, and children addressing symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and behavior problems.
QEEG Brain Mapping is a diagnostic procedure that records electrical activity in the brain. Most people are familiar with the EKG that represents the electrical activity of the heart. EEG represents the electrical activity of the brain. It serves as a basis for identifying variations in brain function that are associated with different types of neurological disorders including Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disabilities, Depression, Dementia, Mild Head Injury and Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder. This electrical activity can be recorded by using sensors placed on the scalp and feeding it back on a computer monitor. Brain mapping provides a more objective and accurate diagnosis and provides more detailed information on any brainwave imbalance. This brain map helps guide the neurobiofeedback training.
Four Primary Skills Used in DBT with Children and Adolescents
Mindfulness skills have demonstreated to be effective at decreasing anxiety and stress in school-aged children. Mindfulness-based group uses activities and stories which are a focus of teaching and practicing the skills. Research demonstrates that children taught mindfulness-based skills show reductuons in emotional and behavioral problems and improved academic functioning. Goals include building awareness of thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
Most DBT programs for adolescents include an individual and group component. The DBT skills are often described and practiced in the group setting while personal issues or struggles are reviewed in the individual therapy setting. Adolescents with extreme emotions may require outside coaching of the skills via a phone session. Goals include focusing on the present, building healthy skills for processing emotions, and building positive relationships.
Mindfulness has alos been applied to parenting practices to help build coping through acceptance and promoting change. Skills focus on learning new ways of interacting with teens to change dysfunctional behaviors and emotional outbursts, which have been demonstrated to be highly effective with this specific population. The effectiveness of DBT skills are significantly increased when parents are alos practicing them. Additionally, objectives with adolescents include building a balance (example: autonomy and dependency). Thus, parents' invlovement can strengthen and reinforce the use of skills. The family can become involved in DBT skills through a parent group or family-focused intervention.
Please contact Dr. Melissa Gonzalez at 713-621-9515, ext. 403 or by email at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Summer Intensive Reading Boot Camp...At Home
The Fast ForWord family of products, developed by Scientific Learning, helps learners of all ages rapidly improve language and reading skills in just weeks instead of years. The computer-based products combine research on how the brain learns with the latest technology to develop the skills needed to become a good reader. The products and the science behind them have been the subject of numerous national news articles including features in Time and Newsweek magazines, and The Wall Street Journal.
Following an intense, engaging, and individualized protocol, students using Fast ForWord products make gains in the skills critical to language and reading. On average, students make gains of 1-2 years in just 4-8 weeks. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) 40% of the 53 million school children in America need to learn to become better readers.
"If students cannot follow directions or clearly understand what is being said to them in the classroom - an oral based learning environment - then they may find learning and the classroom experience challenging. They also may become bored, distracted and display disruptive classroom behavior," said Dr. Steve Miller, Senior Vice President for Research at Scientific Learning. "Fast ForWord addresses those language issues and establishes firmly the language-link that has been found to be fundamental to becoming a good reader and learner." Fast ForWord Language, Fast ForWord Language to Reading, Fast ForWord Reading and Fast ForWord Middle & High School programs are used for students in K-12. The programs feature interactive, animated game-like exercises and use patented technologies to adapt to each student's skill level.
Students train with Fast ForWord programs 90 to 100 minutes a day, five days a week for four to eight weeks. Each day's results are transmitted via the Internet to Scientific Learning which produces reports that on-site professionals can use to guide a student's progress.
The gains made by participants in the program at the Tarnow Center have been excellent, in part, because of Fast ForWord's use in a total therapeutic intervention plan.