What if your brain could learn to work more efficiently? Not through medication or talk therapy alone, but by receiving real-time information about its own activity? That’s the core idea behind neurofeedback therapy.
What Is Neurofeedback Therapy?
Neurofeedback therapy, also called EEG biofeedback, is a non-invasive, brain-based therapy that helps the central nervous system learn to self-regulate.
Each session follows a straightforward process. The therapist applies small electrode sensors to specific locations on the scalp to monitor electrical activity in the brain. This data is analyzed in real time, and feedback is delivered, often through a simple on-screen display or audio tone, whenever the brain produces targeted patterns.
Through repeated sessions, the brain begins to recognize and reinforce these healthier patterns on its own. Sessions are personalized based on each client’s unique EEG data, ensuring that the approach is tailored rather than one-size-fits-all.
Key features of neurofeedback therapy include:
- Designed to complement other treatment methods such as talk therapy or medication, adding it as part of a broader care plan
- Non-invasive — no needles, no electricity introduced into the body
- Painless and generally well-tolerated
- Data-driven — each session is guided by the client’s own brainwave readings
- Requires no active effort from the client during the session itself
Meet Susan Field, CMHC
Susan Field, CMHC, recently joined our Riverton team, and brings with her a deep commitment to personalized, evidence-informed care. Her path into neurofeedback reflects decades of clinical experience combined with advanced specialized training.
Education & Training
- Undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University (1975)
- Master’s degree from the University of Phoenix (2006)
- Advanced training in the Othmer Method through EEG Institute, one of the most rigorous and respected neurofeedback training programs available
Approach & Environment
Susan brings together her clinical background and advanced EEG biofeedback expertise to offer sessions that are truly individualized. Each client’s care is guided by their specific brainwave data, not a generic template. Sessions take place in a calm, supportive therapeutic environment designed to help clients feel safe, comfortable, and at ease.
Her approach honors the whole person: she combines the science of brain-based therapy with the relational warmth of experienced clinical practice.
The Origins of EEG Biofeedback: A 70-Year Story
The history of neurofeedback is both scientific and, as Susan describes it, a little unexpected. It begins in the late 1960s with a UCLA researcher named Dr. Barry Sterman.
Between 1965 and 1970, Dr. Sterman was studying what’s known as the Sensory Motor Rhythm in cats, the specific brainwave pattern associated with a state of calm, focused rest. Around the same time, NASA hired him to investigate a troubling problem: astronauts in orbit were experiencing hallucinations, believed to be caused by rocket fuel fumes leaking into the cabin.
Dr. Sterman used his experimental cats alongside others to test exposure to these fumes. Unfortunately, most cats became severely ill and developed seizures. But a subset of cats showed remarkable resistance and resilience. They were minimally affected and, crucially, did not seize. As Susan recounts: “Initially, Dr. Sterman did not understand the reason for the resilience of some of the cats until he realized these cats were the same ones he had been using to test in his EEG experiments.”
That discovery raised a compelling question: if EEG training could protect a cat’s brain from seizure activity, could the same principle apply to humans? Subsequent research showed that it could. As Susan explains, those early studies on seizure reduction effectively launched the entire field of neurofeedback.
Decades of research followed. Today, Susan describes the scope of EEG biofeedback (neurofeedback) applications broadly: it is now used to help reduce or eliminate “a host of brain dysregulation from Autism to PTSD.” Neurofeedback for anxiety and attention challenges remain among the most studied applications, with a growing body of literature supporting their use alongside other interventions.
Who Might Benefit from Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback therapy may be a good fit for a wide range of individuals. It is commonly explored by:
- Adults and adolescents experiencing anxiety or stress-related challenges
- Individuals seeking support for attention and focus (including those with ADHD diagnoses)
- People managing mood disorders who want to complement existing treatment
- Those experiencing sleep difficulties Individuals who prefer a non-medication or reduced-medication approach
- Clients who have found limited benefit from talk therapy alone and want to add a brain-based dimension to their care
- Neurofeedback is not appropriate for everyone, and Susan conducts an initial evaluation to ensure it’s the right fit before beginning any protocol.
Take the Next Step
If you’re curious about neurofeedback therapy for yourself or a loved one, we welcome you to reach out. Susan Field offers a thoughtful, individualized approach that honors both the science of brain-based therapy and the deeply personal nature of mental health care. If you're ready to explore whether Neurofeedback therapy is right for you, reach out to schedule a consultation.
