When people experience mental illness or emotional distress, they may shy away from seeking psychological treatment and counseling. Psychological treatment can be stigmatized by society, but seeking help could improve your quality of life and your sense of well-being. Our psychologists and counselors at Psychology Care Associates are here to help you navigate the difficulties you experience in everyday life.  Today, we would like to discuss one of our treatments, biofeedback therapy:

What Is Biofeedback?

Biofeedback assesses your body’s functions so that you can change their to improve your psychological health. Essentially, this type of therapy uses the connection between the body and the mind in order to improve your healing process. At PCA, we use two different types of biofeedback treatments: HRV biofeedback and neurofeedback.

HRV Biofeedback

HRV biofeedback monitors your heart rate levels in order to improve your emotional state as well as your psychological state. During this type of treatment, we train the patient with breathing techniques to use in order to relax and better handle stressful situation. These breathing techniques help to strengthen your nervous system. Some conditions that can be improved from biofeedback include depression, PTSD, hypertension, asthma, and fibromyalgia.

What To Expect

Your doctor will begin by assessing both your psychological and your physical history. They will also ask you questions to determine the outcome that you wish to experience following these treatments. A pulse sensor will then be attached to your finger or your ear, and your heart rate will be monitored on a computer. Your psychologist will train you to improve your heart rate through breathing techniques as well as through the way in which you think. You and your therapist will work together to analyze your heart rate information and you will learn how to apply these skills outside of the office setting.

Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback is used to improve psychological diagnosis associated with certain brain wave patterns. This treatment assesses your brainwaves in order to help regulate certain areas in your brain. We look at your brainwave patterns as well as a “brain map” to guide this treatment. People experiencing ADHD, ADD, depression, headaches, migraines, insomnia, traumatic brain injury, PTSD, anxiety, and addictions could benefit from this type of treatment.

What To Expect

Before you begin treatment, you will be asked the same types of questions that you are asked for HRV biofeedback. The actual process starts when you put on a sensor cap that records your brain activity and is connected to a computer. The computer displays your brain wave data so that a treatment plan can be determined.

How Many Treatments Yield The Best Results?

Depending upon the severity of your symptoms, optimal biofeedback results can take between 10 and 40 sessions. You should notice some small improvements following each individual session, and your doctor will monitor your results and make changes as needed.

Are you interested in biofeedback therapy? Contact our psychology clinic in Southlake today to make an appointment. Our psychologists and counselors seek to improve your sense of well-being and provide you with the tools you need in order to cope with stress and trauma.