Lea Leonard, LCSW, BCN, LLC
What is a qEEG:
Prior to Neurofeedback sessions, I require a Quantitative Electrocephalogram (qEEG) or Brain Map, to inform neurofeedback protocol.
Your first appointment will consist of an assessment in which I take your medical, mental health, environmental and social history. Then you’ll have a qEEG. The assessment and qEEGprocedure takes about 1.5 hours. The qEEG consists of placing a snug cap which contains small electrodes on the head to measure the electrical patterns coming from the brain--much like the way that aphysician listens to your heart from the surface of your skin. We gather information on the brainwavepatterns, interactions between different parts of the brain, and the efficiency of communication betweendifferent parts of the brain. This is done while the patient is resting quietly with his or her eyes closed. Afterwards,we then go through a procedure to remove any artifacts that occurred when theeyes moved or blinked, or you moved slightly in the chair, or tightened your jaw or forehead a little bit.The brainwave data we gathered is then compared to a sophisticated data base of the brainwaves of persons of the same age and gender who have been screened for normality (Neuroguide). The qEEG assists us in knowing if there are abnormalities in brain function that Neurofeedback might be helpful in treating, and lets us know how we can individualize Neurofeedbackto the unique problems of each patient.
Preparation for the qEEG:
It is important to get a good nights’ sleep (not have the qEEG done if you are drowsy – which may be difficult if you are suffering with insomnia, so we will work around this); and to not have consumed alcohol or any over the counter medications that may cause excitability or drowsiness or an excessive amount of caffeine. If you are taking prescribed medications, continue to do so as directed.
- Please arrive with clean, dry hair, free of sprays or gels.
- If you are ill, please contact the office to reschedule.
- You will have electroconductive gel applied to your scalp thereby leaving some gel in your hair at the conclusion of your appointment – if you’d like, bring a hat and/or your comb.
Lea Leonard, LCSW, BCN
To learn more about QEEG, the following are some YouTube Videos that can you understand the process better. Some systems utilize single electrodes, others use full cap. I use a full cap for each session.
Brainmapping101 9minutes.
Neurofeedback: Training your brain without using medication. Approximately 8 min.
EEG to brainmaps and neurofeedback training. Approximately 14 min.
Dr. J Lucas Koberda and LORETA Neurofeedback. Approximately 33min. (start the video at the 3 min. mark)
791 Harbour Dr., Naples, FL 34103 (239) 287-0810Fax: 239 263-2236