It is extremely important to choose your Neurofeedback provider with care. While there are many qualified providers, there is unfortunately a rising number of unqualified “practitioners” in the field. Obviously, all providers are not created equal and very often the low cost providers provide inferior treatment as well.
Choose providers with the following:
1. Licensed Health Care Professional(s)
- The provider you choose should have a license to assess and treat the condition for which you are seeking treatment. For example, if you need to treat a mental health ailment (i.e. anxiety, PTSD, or depression), make sure your chosen provider has a license in mental health, such as Clinical psychologists, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, etc. How do you know if they have a license? Ask and look them up on their professional regulatory body’s website to see if they are licensed. For example, Clinical Psychologists in Ontario are regulated by the College of Psychologists of Ontario.
2. Neurofeedback Credentials
- There are certifications and credentials for the training your provider should have undergone in order to treat you successfully. Unfortunately, many offer Neurofeedback services without having the adequate training or expertise in Neurofeedback, EEG, brain anatomy and function, mental health and other necessary areas that help to ensure success. All practitioners who offer Neurofeedback should have completed a comprehensive training program and complete continuing education yearly. If you are unsure of your practitioner’s training, you are within your rights to ask them.
- It is also beneficial to look for a Neurofeedback provider who is certified by the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance. This non-profit institute that certifies individuals who meet all the education and training required to qualify them to offer neurofeedback as a specialty. BCIA Board certification demonstrates that your provider is knowledgeable professional and adheres to carefully developed standards for delivering Neurofeedback services.
3. Dedication and Expertise in offering training relevant to your condition
- When a dedicated and qualified practitioner is administering Neurofeedback to you, they should be able to explain your symptoms and connection to brainwave functioning – clearly, in a manner that YOU understand. They will be able to produce data with regards to your brainwaves (e.g., a breakdown of different wave frequencies and changes across sessions) and show you this data throughout your training. You shouldn’t be left wondering about progress. Your practitioner should be able to demonstrate the changes that are occurring in your brain wave functioning. Furthermore, a qualified practitioner (or their qualified technician) will typically stay in the room with you to properly monitor your brain waves moment-to-moment, making adjustments as needed. Unfortunately, there those who say they are providing Neurofeedback who are not. Simply sitting in a room and with a computer and a task to complete is NOT Neurofeedback. Neurofeedback involves having a qualified practitioner attach EEG sensors to your scalp and this data is filtered into a computer for your practitioner to see and to allow you to change through the computer tasks or games you are watching on your screen.
