Neurofeedback and Regulation: A Conversation with Jennifer Sprague

An Introduction to Neurofeedback and the Brain’s Capacity for Change

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with my colleague, Dayna Haig-Conway, for an in-depth conversation about neurofeedback—what it is, how it works, and why I have come to value it so highly in my work with clients.

My own introduction to neurofeedback began with a healthy degree of skepticism. What changed my perspective was experiencing it personally and then watching the changes that unfolded for clients over time. In this conversation, I share some of that journey and explain neurofeedback in practical, accessible terms, with a particular focus on the NeurOptimal® neurofeedback system.

One of the things I appreciate most about this approach is that it isn't based on telling the brain what it should be doing. Instead, NeurOptimal provides the brain with information about its own activity, giving the nervous system an opportunity to recognize changes and adjust its patterns on its own. I often think of it as helping the brain become more aware of itself—and, with that increased information, potentially more flexible and adaptable.

During our hour-long conversation, Dayna and I explore neurofeedback through the lens of brain plasticity and nervous-system regulation. We talk about anxiety and trauma, ADHD and emotional regulation, concussion recovery, performance, meditation, and some of the common questions people have when they first encounter neurofeedback.

If you've been curious about neurofeedback—or have wondered how something as simple as providing the brain with feedback might influence regulation, resilience and performance—I hope this conversation offers an approachable place to begin.

Watch the Conversation

Neurofeedback and Regulation: A Conversation with Jennifer Sprague

[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDzHr1qXTRM](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDzHr1qXTRM)]

A Few of the Topics We Explore

• What neurofeedback is and what happens during a session

• How NeurOptimal® provides information to the brain

• The similarities between neurofeedback and meditation

• Anxiety, stress and nervous-system regulation

• Trauma and the brain’s ability to adapt

• ADHD and emotional regulation in children and adults

• Neuroplasticity and our capacity for change throughout life

• Concussion recovery and supporting brain resilience

• Neurofeedback for performance and mental flexibility

• What someone new to neurofeedback can expect

  
  

Curious About Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback can sometimes sound complicated when it is described in technical terms. One of the reasons I enjoyed this conversation with Dayna is that we were able to talk about it much as I would with someone sitting across from me who simply wanted to understand what neurofeedback is and why we use it.

At MettaMorphosis Neurotherapy Centre, neurofeedback is one of several approaches we use to support greater self-regulation. Depending upon an individual's needs, it may be used on its own or alongside psychotherapy, qEEG brain mapping and other forms of neurotherapy.

If this conversation raises questions for you, I invite you to explore the Neurotherapy and qEEG sections of our website or contact us to learn more.