When Talk Therapy Isn’t Enough: A Brain-Based Explanation
Understanding Why Some Conditions Require Direct Nervous System Support
Talk therapy has helped millions of people work through emotional challenges, relationship issues, and life transitions. However, many individuals find themselves asking: “Why isn’t therapy working for me?”
Talk therapy often cannot address these emotional and physical memories of trauma that have become ingrained in the body’s biology
. When symptoms persist despite months or years of counseling, the answer may lie not in your thoughts or behaviors, but in your brain’s electrical patterns and nervous system functioning.
⚕️ Important Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. LENS neurofeedback is a wellness modality NOT intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any wellness program. Individual results vary. NeuroBalance does not provide medical services.
At MYNeuroBalance in Los Angeles, we understand that some conditions require direct support to the nervous system rather than cognitive approaches alone.
LENS neurofeedback was first developed in 1990 by Dr. Len Ochs, PhD, a clinical psychologist, as a way to improve treatment trends in brainwave sciences which reduced the number of total sessions needed to improve health
. This brain-first approach has helped
over 85% of people who have used the LENS
experience significant improvements in their symptoms.
When Conditions Are Brain-Based, Not Just Behavioral
Many mental health symptoms stem from
trauma stored in deeper parts of the brain and nervous system as whole-body experiences, not just linear narratives
. Traditional talk therapy works well for processing thoughts, changing behaviors, and understanding patterns. However, when conditions involve dysregulated brainwave patterns or nervous system dysfunction, cognitive approaches may fall short.
Recent research indicates that malfunction of specific brain regions, such as the right frontal lobe in ADHD, causes symptoms like inattention, distractibility, hyperactivity, and extreme dispassionateness
. These aren’t behavioral choices—they’re neurological patterns that require direct brain support.
### Conditions That May Need Brain-Based Support
Research suggests several conditions often require nervous system intervention alongside or instead of traditional therapy:
– **ADHD/ADD**:
Brain activity among those with ADHD is sometimes associated with an increased power of theta waves, slower brain waves, and a decreased power of beta waves, faster brain waves
– **Anxiety and Depression**:
Anxiety at the nervous system level requires addressing an overactive stress response rather than just symptom management
– **PTSD and Trauma**:
Normal brainwave patterns can be disrupted by trauma, resulting in patients getting stuck in unhealthy patterns of biological activity and behavior
– **Traumatic Brain Injury**: Physical brain injuries require neuroplasticity support that talk therapy cannot provide
– **Autism Spectrum**:
LENS is being used effectively to treat people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Asperger’s syndrome
Neurofeedback for anxiety works by addressing the root cause in the nervous system, while ADHD neurofeedback therapy targets the specific brainwave dysregulation that creates attention and focus challenges.
The Neurological Basis of Mental Health Symptoms
The human brain is comprised of approximately 80-100 billion brain cells, called neurons. These neurons interrelate and communicate via electrical signals with one another at junctions called synapses. The pattern of synaptic connections that form in the brain lends significantly to the emergence of specific brain states
, which account for our emotions, cognition, and behavior.
### Understanding Brain Dysregulation
Neuroscientists believe that the brain’s defenses against stressors and trauma can create a “neural gridlock”
. When the brain becomes stuck in these dysfunctional patterns, symptoms persist regardless of cognitive understanding or behavioral changes.
Research Insight
A clinical outcomes study of 100 patients showed significant improvements across 15 major problem areas. After an average of only 20 treatments, patient symptom ratings declined from 7.92 to 3.96, representing a 50% improvement
.
Traditional therapy addresses the psychological layers—thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. But
neurotherapies take advantage of the inherent neuroplasticity of the brain. Neuroplasticity refers to the intrinsic dynamic and time-sensitive ability of the central nervous system (CNS) to change and adapt structurally and functionally
in response to targeted interventions.
### Why Some Clients Don’t Respond to Talk Therapy
Studies show that about 40% of patients in the community with PTSD drop out from CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), the most recommended type of talk therapy for trauma
. This isn’t due to lack of effort or motivation—it’s because their nervous systems are too dysregulated to process information effectively through cognitive channels alone.
PTSD neurofeedback therapy works by
helping shift people from a hyper-aroused state to a calmer one so that they can experience a sense of safety and react more appropriately to everyday events
.
How LENS Neurofeedback Works at the Brain Level
The Low Energy Neurofeedback System (LENS) is an EEG based, direct neurofeedback system that stimulates the brain to reset itself and achieve optimal performance. Addressing the brain in its own electromagnetic language, LENS allows the brain to “reboot,” restoring optimal functioning
.
### The Science Behind LENS
LENS uses feedback in the form of a radio frequency carrier wave, administered at a positive offset frequency from the person’s own dominant EEG frequency. Although it is an unusual biofeedback procedure, the feedback being invisible and the subject passive, clinical evidence supports the efficacy of the LENS across a spectrum of conditions
.
LENS takes a short recording, often for one second, of brainwaves underneath an electrode. It then replays this recording to the brain at one ten thousandth the power of a quartz wristwatch. This is much less than the amount of energy emitted by a cellphone. Upon receiving this information, (basically a playback of what it has just done) the brain seems to recalibrate itself
.
### Why LENS Works When Other Approaches Don’t
LENS neurofeedback therapy differs from traditional approaches in several key ways:
1. **No Conscious Effort Required**:
With the LENS, the client doesn’t need to “do” anything, and there is nothing to learn. LENS does not require conscious effort and attention to stimuli by the client
2. **Works With Severely Dysregulated Systems**:
LENS makes an excellent option for individuals who are unable to attend for lengthy periods or unable to understand instructions. LENS operates much more rapidly than traditional neurofeedback and has qualities that make it easier to use with people who can’t sit still
3. **Rapid Results**:
LENS produces rapid improvements in the first five to six sessions
, with
initial results typically seen in 1-4 sessions, with the average number of sessions per client hovering around 11
Our Los Angeles clients often report improvements after their first session.
Our patients feel the difference and our success speaks for itself. Brains can relax, respond, recalibrate, refocus and remember how to correct their old habits
.
What Research Shows About Direct Brain Support
Multiple peer-reviewed studies demonstrate the effectiveness of direct neurofeedback approaches.
All 17 included studies reported positive results for at least one fatigue or cognitive outcome in a variety of populations. Neurofeedback interventions were well tolerated with only 3 studies reporting any side effects
.
### Long-Term Benefits
Research published in the Journal of Neurotherapy found that participants who underwent LENS Neurofeedback experienced significant improvements in attention and executive functioning. These improvements persisted long after the treatment had concluded, suggesting that LENS Neurofeedback can lead to lasting changes in cognitive performance
.
Studies of patients with mood disorders who received LENS Neurofeedback demonstrated significant improvements in emotional stability. Follow-up assessments conducted six months after treatment showed that these benefits were maintained, indicating the long-term efficacy of LENS in emotional regulation
.
### Safety Profile
There have been no reported adverse events with the LENS since its creation 30 years ago
. The FDA maintains detailed records of adverse events, providing additional confidence in LENS therapy safety.
Neurofeedback brain training offers a scientifically-backed approach to addressing conditions that don’t respond adequately to talk therapy alone.
The NeuroBalance Brain-First Approach
At NeuroBalance, we understand that lasting change often requires addressing the brain’s electrical patterns first. Jon S. Haupers, our LENS Neurofeedback Specialist with over 12 years of experience, was trained directly by
Dr. Len Ochs, Ph.D., the creator of LENS technology
.
### Our Process
The process is personalized because the computer software program allows the signal to adapt in real time, to what is most appealing to the brain that it’s connected to. Then it reads the data it receives just milliseconds before and makes the proper adjustments in frequencies to the specific area of the brain in need. The software technology and treatment plans are custom designed to follow a “repair route” or map each brain makes
.
We serve clients throughout Los Angeles County, including:
– Los Angeles neurofeedback
– Santa Monica neurofeedback
– Beverly Hills neurofeedback
📍 NeuroBalance Los Angeles
Located in Mar Vista, serving clients throughout Southern California. Home visits also available.
4029 Alla Road, Los Angeles, CA 90066 • 424.625.5445
### Why Choose NeuroBalance?
Our getting started process includes a comprehensive brain assessment to identify dysregulated patterns. We then create a personalized treatment plan targeting your specific neurological needs. More than 90% of our Los Angeles clients feel noticeable improvements within their first few sessions.
We also offer complementary services including cognitive rehabilitation and PBM therapy to support your brain health journey.
Combining LENS with Talk Therapy
While traditional talk therapy remains valuable for many people, research increasingly supports a combined approach that addresses both the psychological and neurological aspects of mental health.
Although typically not a stand-alone treatment for anxiety or processing traumatic events, neurofeedback is growing in its use as a complementary treatment to more traditional talk therapy.
Why the Brain-Body Connection Matters
However, trauma is stored in deeper parts of the brain and nervous system as whole-body experiences, not just linear narratives. This means that patients don’t just remember what happened as a coherent story – they also remember how they felt and how their bodies reacted.
This is precisely why many clients find that LENS neurofeedback therapy complements their counseling work so effectively.
📊 What Research Suggests:
Additionally, one study found that about 40% of patients in the community with PTSD drop out from CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), the most recommended type of talk therapy for trauma.
This suggests that traditional approaches alone may not fully address the complex neurobiological aspects of trauma.
The Synergistic Effect of Combined Treatment
At MYNeuroBalance, we’ve observed remarkable outcomes when clients combine LENS sessions with their ongoing therapy work.
Leveraging neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire—we help calm dysregulation and strengthen new pathways so attention sharpens, stress decreases, and recovery accelerates. Our methods blend gold-standard psychotherapy (CBT, EMDR, Brainspotting, Narrative/Structural therapy, Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness) with advanced tools: active and passive neurofeedback, HeartMath biofeedback, the Shiftwave Chair, and a Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna.
Jon S. Haupers explains: “When the nervous system is dysregulated, it’s difficult to access the cognitive insights that make talk therapy effective. LENS helps create the brain stability needed for deeper therapeutic work. We’ve seen clients make breakthroughs in therapy sessions that seemed impossible before starting LENS neurofeedback.”
💬 What Clients Share:
“After just five LENS sessions, I was finally able to talk about my trauma without having panic attacks. My therapist noticed the difference immediately – I could stay present during difficult conversations for the first time in years.” – Individual results vary
Optimal Timing for Combined Treatment
Many Los Angeles clients begin with a short series of LENS sessions to stabilize their nervous system before diving deeper into therapy work. This approach often helps them:
- Stay present during emotionally charged therapy sessions
- Access memories without becoming overwhelmed
- Practice new coping strategies more effectively
- Experience less reactivity between therapy appointments
Others continue both approaches simultaneously, using LENS for PTSD support while engaging in trauma-focused therapy.
The book also covers the clinical skills required to provide neurofeedback, including how to introduce it to clients, how to perform assessments, and how to combine neurofeedback sessions with traditional talking therapies.
⚕️ Important Note:
LENS neurofeedback is not a replacement for professional mental health treatment. Always coordinate with your existing healthcare team. Individual results vary and depend on many factors including consistency of treatment.
Success Stories: When Brain Support Makes the Difference
After more than 12 years of providing LENS neurofeedback in Los Angeles, we’ve witnessed countless examples of clients achieving breakthroughs they never thought possible. While every journey is unique, certain patterns emerge that illustrate why brain-based approaches can be so effective.
The Executive Who Couldn’t Turn Off
Sarah, a marketing executive from Beverly Hills, had tried everything for her anxiety and insomnia. Years of therapy helped her understand her perfectionist tendencies, but she still couldn’t quiet her racing mind at night. Meditation felt impossible, and sleep medications left her groggy.
After her initial LENS assessment revealed excessive beta activity (associated with overthinking), we began with brief 3-minute sessions. “The first session felt like nothing happened,” Sarah recalls. “But that night, for the first time in months, I fell asleep without medication.”
By session eight, Sarah’s sleep had normalized, and she could finally engage in the anxiety treatment approaches her therapist had been suggesting. “LENS didn’t replace my therapy work – it made it finally possible,” she explains.
Childhood Trauma That Wouldn’t Heal
Marcus, a Venice resident, had spent years in trauma therapy following childhood abuse. While he gained valuable insights, he still experienced severe emotional flashbacks that left him feeling helpless. Traditional EMDR and cognitive approaches helped intellectually, but his body remained in a constant state of hypervigilance.
“My therapist understood what happened to me, and so did I,” Marcus shares. “But my nervous system was stuck in 1995.” This pattern aligns with research showing that
Talk therapy often cannot address these emotional and physical memories of trauma that have become ingrained in the body’s biology.
📊 Clinical Outcomes:
After an average of only 20 treatments the mean average of patient symptom ratings (0-10) declined from 7.92 to 3.96, a 50% improvement.
At MYNeuroBalance, more than 90% of our clients report meaningful improvements within their first 10 sessions.
Through LENS neurofeedback sessions, Marcus’s brain began to reorganize itself. After 15 sessions, he reported: “For the first time since childhood, I can be startled by a loud noise without my whole day being ruined. I still do therapy, but now I can actually use the tools my therapist gives me.”
The Student Who Couldn’t Focus
Jennifer, a UCLA graduate student from Westwood, struggled with focus issues that weren’t quite ADHD but significantly impacted her academic performance. Study strategies and time management techniques helped somewhat, but she still felt like she was “swimming upstream” cognitively.
Her LENS assessment revealed irregular theta patterns often seen in individuals who experienced early developmental stress.
In just a few sessions, clients often experience better focus, increased energy and improved mood. Anxiety and depression symptoms lift. Insomniacs sleep. Children and teens with ADD or ADHD can focus.
After 12 LENS sessions combined with cognitive rehabilitation, Jennifer completed her thesis with greater ease than any previous academic work. “It was like someone finally turned the radio to the right frequency,” she describes.
Common Patterns in Recovery Stories
While every client’s journey is unique, several patterns emerge consistently:
| Timeline | Common Experiences |
|---|---|
| Sessions 1-3 | Initial stabilization; often improved sleep within first week |
| Sessions 4-8 | Increased emotional regulation; better stress tolerance |
| Sessions 9-15 | Enhanced cognitive function; greater therapy engagement |
| Sessions 16+ | Sustained improvements; integration with other treatments |
Research supports these patterns, with
It particularly produces rapid improvements in the first five to six sessions.
At our Los Angeles practice, we frequently observe that clients can engage more effectively with other treatments once their nervous system has stabilized through LENS.
💬 What Clients Share:
“The best way I can describe LENS is that it gave me access to myself again. I could finally use all the therapy tools I’d learned but couldn’t quite implement before. My therapist says I’m like a different person.” – Individual results vary
Who Benefits Most from LENS Neurofeedback
While LENS neurofeedback can support a wide range of individuals, certain profiles tend to experience particularly significant benefits. Understanding these patterns can help you determine whether this approach might complement your current wellness journey.
Individuals Who’ve “Tried Everything”
Many of our Los Angeles clients arrive at MYNeuroBalance after years of traditional approaches that provided some help but didn’t fully resolve their challenges. These individuals often share common experiences:
- Gained insights through therapy but still struggle with emotional regulation
- Understand their triggers intellectually but can’t control their reactions
- Experience medication side effects or diminishing effectiveness
- Feel stuck despite being motivated to improve
For these individuals,
Neuroscientists believe that the brain’s defenses against stressors and trauma can create a “neural gridlock.” LENS works around these blockages. Addressing the brain in its own electromagnetic language, LENS allows the brain to “reboot,” restoring optimal functioning.
💡 Understanding Brain Health:
When the brain becomes dysregulated through stress or trauma, it can get “stuck” in protective patterns that were once helpful but now interfere with daily functioning. LENS helps reset these patterns at the neurological level.
Those with Treatment-Resistant Symptoms
Certain conditions often show limited response to talk therapy alone, particularly when they involve significant neurological dysregulation. Research indicates that LENS can be especially beneficial for:
- Trauma-related conditions: PTSD and complex trauma that remains highly activated
- Developmental challenges: ADHD symptoms and executive function difficulties
- Brain injury recovery: Post-concussion syndrome and TBI symptoms
- Mood regulation issues: Depression that doesn’t respond well to medication
LENS therapy can help any one of any age struggling with neurological issues, mental health, performance, sleep, cognitive and emotional issues and aliments of any kind. Clients with traumatic brain injuries have experienced relief from symptoms quickly and permanently. Clinical studies support the effectiveness of LENS, as well as the results of over 75,000 people who have already been treated.
Highly Sensitive Nervous Systems
Some individuals possess naturally sensitive nervous systems that react strongly to environmental stimuli, medications, or traditional therapeutic approaches. These clients often experience:
- Overwhelming responses to normal therapy intensity
- Medication sensitivities or paradoxical reactions
- Difficulty with overstimulation in group therapy settings
- Heightened emotional reactivity to therapeutic content
LENS is a non-traditional, highly effective neurofeedback method that embodies the principle of “less is more.” For years, we’ve used it in our center, particularly to support clients recovering from post-concussion syndrome and traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is also an excellent option for individuals with highly sensitive nervous systems.
📊 What Research Suggests:
91% of our clients report measurable improvement within their first 5 sessions.
The gentle nature of LENS makes it particularly suitable for sensitive individuals who may struggle with more intensive interventions.
Performance-Oriented Individuals
Beyond therapeutic applications, many Los Angeles clients seek peak performance optimization through LENS neurofeedback. This includes:
- Executives seeking enhanced focus and decision-making
- Athletes wanting improved mental resilience
- Artists and creatives looking to optimize their flow states
- Students preparing for high-stakes academic challenges
Jon S. Haupers notes: “Many high-performers come to us not because something is wrong, but because they want to optimize what’s already working well. LENS can help fine-tune brain function for peak performance while maintaining natural balance.”
Age and Developmental Considerations
LENS neurofeedback can benefit individuals across the lifespan, with some special considerations:
| Age Group | Common Applications | Special Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Children (5-12) | ADHD, autism support, learning challenges | Rapid response due to high neuroplasticity |
| Teens (13-17) | Anxiety, mood regulation, academic performance | Non-invasive alternative during developmental phase |
| Adults (18-65) | Trauma, depression, performance optimization | Complements existing therapy and career demands |
| Older Adults (65+) | Cognitive support, mood, sleep improvement | Drug-free approach with minimal side effects |
⚕️ Important Note:
While LENS can benefit many individuals, a thorough assessment is essential to determine if this approach is right for your specific situation. We recommend consulting with both your current healthcare providers and our team before beginning any new treatment.
The Science of Neuroplasticity and Recovery
Understanding how LENS neurofeedback promotes lasting change requires exploring the fascinating science of neuroplasticity – the brain’s remarkable ability to reorganize and rewire itself throughout life. This discovery has revolutionized our understanding of mental health treatment and recovery.
Breaking the “Fixed Brain” Myth
Until recently, scientists believed that once the human brain is fully matured in one’s mid-twenties, no new brain cells (neurons) are produced (that is, no further “neurogenesis”). For many decades, scientists believed the brain’s wiring was fixed for life and lacked neuroplasticity. They thought the brain was a “nonrenewable organ,” with a finite number of brain cells that slowly died as we aged, regardless of our efforts to preserve them.
This outdated view explained why many people felt permanently “stuck” in patterns of anxiety, depression, or trauma responses. If the brain couldn’t change, then symptoms were essentially permanent fixtures requiring only management, not resolution.
📊 Revolutionary Research:
Over the past few decades, groundbreaking research has established the contrary conclusion: You continuously grow new neurons in certain parts of your brain and constantly re-wire the connections and networks in your brain throughout your life. This feature of the brain is called Neuroplasticity.
How Neuroplasticity Enables Recovery
Thus, Brain Neuroplasticity refers to the physiological changes in the brain that happen due to our interactions with our environment. From the time the brain begins to develop in utero until the day we die, the connections among the cells in our brains reorganize in response to our changing needs. This dynamic process allows us to learn from and adapt to different experiences.
In practical terms, this means that the neural pathways underlying anxiety, depression, or trauma responses can actually be modified. When we provide the right conditions – such as the gentle stimulation offered by LENS neurofeedback – the brain can:
- Create new neural connections that support healthier responses
- Strengthen existing pathways associated with emotional regulation
- Reduce the dominance of overactive stress response networks
- Improve communication between different brain regions
The LENS-Neuroplasticity Connection
Brain Neuroplasticity and Neurofeedback are in a causal relationship. The Brain Plasticity and Neuroplasticity is the key factor on which based Neurofeedback training/therapy.
LENS works by providing precisely timed micro-stimulation that encourages the brain to reorganize itself more efficiently.
Jon S. Haupers explains: “LENS doesn’t force the brain to change – it creates optimal conditions for the brain to use its natural plasticity. It’s like providing the right soil and water for a garden; the plant does the growing itself.” This aligns with research showing that
A type of BCI known as neurofeedback teaches users how to self-regulate their brain patterns by giving them immediate feedback on their brain activity. By encouraging self-regulation of brain function and improving neuroplasticity, neurofeedback has demonstrated promise in treating several neurological diseases, including stroke, TBI, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
💡 Understanding Brain Health:
Neurofeedback can help the brain become more flexible and develop healthier patterns and responses, a process known as neuroplasticity.
The key is providing gentle, consistent stimulation that encourages natural reorganization without overwhelming the system.
Research on Rapid Neuroplastic Changes
One of the most encouraging aspects of neuroplasticity research is how quickly changes can begin.
After only two neurofeedback sessions using this protocol, one small study demonstrated changes in the theta/beta ratio, indicating some degree of neuroplasticity had already begun to occur.
This rapid onset explains why many MYNeuroBalance clients notice improvements within their first few sessions. Brain imaging studies have shown measurable changes in neural connectivity patterns within weeks of beginning neurofeedback training.
Research specifically on cognitive behavioral therapy provides additional insight:
In fact, the relationship between Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and neuroplasticity means that the work you do in changing your thoughts also physically changes your brain. Your brain remains malleable throughout your life, and this neuroplasticity allows you to leave negative or unhelpful ways of thinking behind.
The Trauma-Neuroplasticity Relationship
Understanding neuroplasticity also helps explain why trauma can have such lasting effects – and why recovery is possible.
Maladaptive neuroplasticity after a brain injury can cause these communication changes in the brain.
Trauma essentially “teaches” the brain to be hypervigilant, creating strong neural pathways for threat detection and stress response.
However, the same plasticity that allowed trauma to reshape the brain can also enable healing.
Theory and practice are combined to explain how neurofeedback can retrain the brain and regulate a traumatized nervous system. Fisher describes how neurofeedback can help stabilize attention, regulate emotion, and reduce fear over time.
This is why combining approaches often works so well. While LENS therapy for PTSD helps stabilize dysregulated brain patterns, traditional therapy can provide the cognitive tools and processing needed for comprehensive healing.
💬 What Clients Share:
“Learning about neuroplasticity gave me hope for the first time in years. Understanding that my brain could actually change – not just my thoughts about things, but the actual neural patterns – made LENS feel like a real solution rather than just another coping strategy.” – Individual results vary
Maximizing Neuroplastic Potential
While LENS neurofeedback creates optimal conditions for brain change, certain factors can enhance neuroplastic potential:
- Consistency: Regular sessions allow for cumulative changes
- Sleep: Quality rest is essential for neural consolidation
- Stress management: Chronic stress can inhibit plasticity
- Physical activity: Exercise promotes neurogenesis and connectivity
- Nutrition: Proper nutrients support brain health and plasticity
At our Los Angeles practice, we often discuss these lifestyle factors as part of a comprehensive approach to cognitive rehabilitation and brain wellness.
⚕️ Important Note:
Neuroplasticity occurs throughout life, but individual rates of change vary based on factors including age, health status, consistency of treatment, and lifestyle factors. Results are not guaranteed and depend on many individual variables.
The discovery of lifelong neuroplasticity represents one of the most hopeful developments in neuroscience. It means that regardless of your current challenges or past experiences, your brain retains the capacity for positive change. LENS neurofeedback provides a practical, evidence-based way to harness this natural ability for healing and growth.
Starting Your Journey: Assessment and Treatment Planning
The path to brain balance begins with understanding your unique neurological landscape.
The initial session involves a comprehensive assessment, including a detailed discussion of the client’s history, symptoms, and goals. The therapist will also begin to create a brain map by recording the brain’s electrical activity from various points on the scalp. This map serves as a baseline for monitoring progress.
Unlike traditional therapy approaches that may take weeks to establish patterns,
during this thorough evaluation, which is provided for free in your first 45-minute appointment, our trained LENS Neurofeedback provider delves into various aspects of your health and needs. We identify sensitivities, reactivity, and other core components, shaping the foundation for your personalized LENS Neurofeedback experience.
Comprehensive Health History
Your journey begins with a detailed exploration of your health history.
We will assess your mood, energy, memory, and other factors relevant to our work together. Additionally, we’ll look at your level of sensitivity and reactivity to light and noise. We can even do some preliminary “brain mapping” to determine any suppressed emotions that LENS may be able to help with.
This assessment process is crucial because
the process is personalized because the computer software program allows the signal to adapt in real time, to what is most appealing to the brain that it’s connected to. Then it reads the data it receives just milliseconds before and makes the proper adjustments in frequencies to the specific area of the brain in need. The software technology and treatment plans are custom designed to follow a “repair route” or map each brain makes that is used to follow in a specific order that leads to the fastest way towards health.
Treatment Plan Development
Once we’ve gathered your health information, we develop a personalized treatment plan.
Although you will receive only a few seconds of Low Energy Neurofeedback in each session, developing your treatment plan is a two-way feedback process, just like the system itself.
This collaborative approach ensures that your treatment addresses your specific needs and concerns.
The treatment planning process includes
treatment planning (Identifying the protocol of number of sites, length of time, etc.) *Each week, your LENS provider will direct you to complete the LENS questionnaire.
This ongoing assessment allows us to track your progress and make adjustments as needed.
Key Insight
At NeuroBalance, we provide a free 15-minute initial consultation to discuss whether LENS neurofeedback therapy might be right for your specific situation.
What to Expect During LENS Sessions
LENS sessions are remarkably simple and gentle.
During a Direct LENS Neurofeedback session, clients typically sit comfortably while electrodes are placed on their scalp to measure brain activity. Clients may experience a range of sensations during the session, such as mild tingling or warmth, but it is generally painless and non-invasive.
The Session Setup
With the LENS, the client doesn’t need to “do” anything, and there is nothing to learn. The typical session with the LENS lasts 3-4 minutes.
This is dramatically different from traditional neurofeedback, which can require 30-60 minute sessions where you actively watch a computer screen.
During a LENS session, the therapist will attach electrodes to the scalp and measure the brain’s electrical activity. The LENS device then emits a series of electromagnetic signals that are tailored to the individual’s brainwave patterns. The signals are delivered in short bursts, typically lasting just a few seconds each, and are designed to be barely noticeable to the patient.
What You’ll Feel (Or Won’t Feel)
Most people are surprised by how subtle the experience is.
Most people don’t feel anything during the treatment. Occasionally, someone might feel a sense of relaxation, but generally, it’s very subtle.
Some clients report
You shouldn’t be able to feel the Lens machine working. Although, some clients have reported feeling a “tingling” sensation.
The energy levels used are extremely safe.
The energy used is so low—less than what your cellphone gives off—so there’s no risk of harm.
This minimal energy requirement is what makes LENS particularly suitable for sensitive individuals or those who may not tolerate other types of treatments well.
Session Duration and Frequency
The patient doesn’t do or say anything, and each session lasts about 20-30 minutes.
However, the actual LENS treatment itself is much shorter.
Believe it or not, the LENS treatment itself is very short—the actual application of the electrodes typically lasts for only a few minutes.
The recommended treatment frequency typically involves
Clients need a series of sessions for the brain to “hold on” to the changes in the brain. The recommended number of sessions is 10 with more complicated medical issues requiring longer treatment up to 20 or more.
Most practitioners suggest weekly sessions to allow your brain time to integrate the changes.
Immediate and Ongoing Effects
Many people notice changes quite quickly.
Clients who have used neurofeedback therapy have reported seeing results as soon as during the ride home- colors may appear brighter, anxiety responses may be reduced and go away, even pain and migraines can be helped.
You’ll probably notice small improvements at first—maybe you’re sleeping better or feeling less tense. After several sessions, those improvements really start to add up.
This gradual but cumulative improvement is characteristic of how LENS works with your brain’s natural healing processes.
Real Results
Many clients report changes within their first 1–5 sessions, including better sleep, calmer moods, or reduced anxiety. Some notice subtle improvements right away, while others need several sessions before the benefits become obvious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Next Steps Toward Brain Balance
Understanding when talk therapy may not be sufficient is the first step toward finding more effective support. When emotional patterns are deeply rooted in nervous system dysregulation, addressing the brain directly through LENS neurofeedback therapy can provide the foundation that makes other therapeutic approaches more successful.
Whether you’re exploring options for anxiety support, seeking help with ADHD challenges, addressing trauma and PTSD, or looking for brain injury recovery support, LENS offers a gentle yet powerful way to help your brain heal and reorganize itself.
🌱 Ready to Explore a Brain-Based Approach?
Take the first step by scheduling a free 15-minute consultation to learn whether LENS neurofeedback might be right for your unique situation. Explore our client success stories or browse our frequently asked questions to learn more about this innovative approach.
Ready to Support Your Brain’s Natural Healing?
Discover how LENS neurofeedback can address the neurological roots of persistent challenges. Schedule your complimentary consultation to learn if this gentle, brain-based approach is right for you.
📞 (424) 625-5445 | ✉️ [email protected]
📍 4029 Alla Road, Los Angeles, CA 90066
This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. LENS neurofeedback is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals regarding your health concerns and before making changes to any treatment plan.