FAQ's

You will sit in a comfortable chair and simply relax. Two tiny sensors are applied to your scalp and earclips to your ears. These sensors allow NeurOptimal to read the delicate electrical activity of your brain, much like an EKG reads your heart. You then listen to music and watch an ever-changing visual display, although you can close your eyes and tune out if you prefer. Children sometimes like to play a quiet game or read a book. There are very brief pauses in the music indicating NeurOptimal is at work, invisibly guiding you through a complex mathematical dance during which the challenge to your brain is varied.

Despite the complexity “under the hood”, no effort is required from you during sessions, at all! Simply relax and enjoy the 33.5 minute session while your brain re-organizes itself.

This depends partly upon your goals, but 20 sessions is the minimum we provide and many people feel 20 - 30 sessions is adequate. Others, however, choose to do more for various reasons. It all depends on how quickly your symptoms clear up. Training your brain is like training your body. You want to function at your best throughout your lifetime, and so you may choose to do the first 20 sessions and then come back occasionally for maintenance when life presents its inevitable challenges. After a period of initial training many continue with monthly sessions to give the brain a regular opportunity to “defrag”. Or, like many of us, some just do a session when they feel they need it. Because every person's brain is unique is impossible to predict exactly how your brain will respond to the feedback. But because researchers have over three million hours of experience with NeurOptimal we can make some predictions. The good thing is you do not have to take it on faith and trust that it will help you — you will know pretty quickly when it is helping you. And we have progress tracking tools to help you document your training. Just as in how long it takes to learn to read, it is a process and everyone learns differently.

Neurofeedback is a learning task, like learning to ride a bike or learning how to read: Once you know, you can’t “not know”, so the effects do remain with you. But your brain is also living tissue, and it can get “knocked off” by challenges, by hormonal changes, pollutants in the environment and the stresses of our everyday lives. When this happens, a session or two can help you get back on point, working at your optimal efficiency. Even if you come back many years later, the brain recognizes the process and is reminded of the earlier shifts. It can find its way back relatively rapidly -– much more quickly than the first time you did the training. So if you did a fairly complete initial training (say 20-30 sessions), and then have a major challenge like an illness, the loss of a job or a relationship, or even a head injury or anesthetic, your brain can quickly and efficiently use the information it receives and reorganize itself and “find its way back”.

NeurOptimal is a life-changing technology! Solidly founded in the fields of neuroscience, non-linear dynamics, mathematics, Neurology, Psychology and electrical engineering. It is designed to assist the brain to significantly enhance the human experience.

Designed by a duo of Clinical Psychologists to work with the brain as a Non-Linear Dynamical System, NeurOptimal represents the cutting-edge of neuro-technology today. With the required expertise built into the system and its unsurpassed ease of use, over three million hours of experience have shown it to be the effective, safe choice for those seeking the most out of their life. NeurOptimal is used by professionals and home-users all over the world: From Paris to Perth, Manhattan to Madrid, from Amsterdam to Montreal, NeurOptimal is the global standard for human performance technology.

NeurOptimal or a Linear System?

USER FRIENDLY NeurOptimal is truly “plug and play” with no complicated set-up or expertise required. For all of its internal design complexity, NeurOptimal’s ease-of-use gives it a significant advantage over other systems.

DIAGNOSTICALLY AGNOSTIC Instead of targeting specific symptoms, NeurOptimal focuses on optimizing overall brain function. This approach naturally ameliorates most complaints, whatever their source.

NON-INVASIVE When you are training, no electricity, vibration or external signal is going into the brain. In addition, brain training with NeurOptimal does not target specific areas of the brain nor does it push the brain in any direction by giving it goals to achieve, decided by an “expert”. In this way, NeurOptimal is globally effective while remarkably free of unwanted side effects.

100% NATURAL Each brain is unique and knows the best way to “correct” itself for improved efficiency. NeurOptimal simply provides the central nervous system with information about its own activity. Given the right information the brain can naturally optimize itself.

Yes, it safe for anyone to use. Why? Because nothing is being added to your brain. The training works by alerting your automatic functioning part of the brain to its own actions (this part controls the fear response, flight/flight/freeze, sleep, attentiveness, executive functioning, etc.) so it can ‘see’ its own maladaptive patterns. Because the brain is designed to be responsive to new information, when the neurofeedback system alerts the brain to it’s own functioning the brain will naturally tweak itself to be the most efficient and effective response. It’s as if the brain, upon being alerted to it’s own behaviour says “hey, I’m about to produce a stress response when I’m sitting in a safe space. That’s not efficient or an appropriate response. I’m going to change what I’m doing.”

There are two generations of Neurofeedback. Out of the first we got protocol based where you are using an initial brain map and comparing it to the client's brain and then using entrain and migrate techniques to create state change. And out of the second generation came dynamical neurofeedback, which is the kind we use. Here the brain gets a brain map of itself shown to itself moment by moment through analysis of 16 targets up to 60 Hz. And with that information it reorganizes itself.

No. A diagnosis or brain map is not needed when using NeurOptimal. Since NeurOptimal is a ‘dynamical’ neurofeedback system, it is also very different from other systems. It is completely non-invasive and non-directive because it is based on both a very different understanding about how the brain works, as well as how it is best optimized.It is estimated that the human brain has 15-33 billion neurons and each neuron may have as many as 10,000 synaptic connections. Neurons communicate with each other using chemical signals which results in all electrical ‘brain activity.’ This brain activity is measured in brainwaves with an electroencephalogram (EEG). The frequency of each brainwave tells us a lot about the state of the brain at any given moment.

NeurOptimal is an advanced neuro-technology that offers training to the brain, enabling it to function at its best. It’s mathematically designed to communicate directly with your central nervous system and has been called “the most effective bio-hack on this planet”. Hype aside however, NeurOptimal does have a long and venerable history with well over THREE MILLION HOURS of safe and effective usage, and it is celebrating its seventeenth year this year!

NeurOptimal was developed by Clinical Psychologists Drs. Valdeane and Susan Brown, Founders of Zengar Institute Inc. It utilizes an original Dynamical Neurofeedback algorithm developed by the Drs. Brown, which is exclusive to NeurOptimal. This innovative form of neurofeedback is not a medical treatment, but instead is a TRAINING for the brain. It does not require diagnosis, but rather it dances micro-second by micro-second with your brain offering it the information it needs to RE-ORGANIZE ITSELF. And when your brain does that, a whole lot of complaints drop away. You feel calmer, clearer, happier and able to function better in your life.

It doesn’t matter where you are starting from — EVERY brain can enjoy meeting its own state of optimal. And training is absolutely effortless. You can relax, close your eyes and even zone out if you want. And if you don’t want to relax, that’s fine too! Incredibly simple to learn and to operate, all the expertise has been built right in. Technically, no special qualifications are needed to use the NeurOptimal program.

NeurOptimal is used by organizations, professionals in their practices and businesses, and families using it at home. Together, we form a close-knit community that spans multiple continents. Furthermore, Zengar is committed to offering outstanding support for its users, as well as an on-going investment in Research and Development to carry its users into the future.

NeurOptimal is very different from other neurofeedback systems. It is completely non-directive because it is based on both a different understanding about how the brain works, as well as how it is best optimized. NeurOptimal is designed to work with the brain as an information-detection system. By simply giving the brain feedback information about its own activity 256 times per second, NeurOptimal helps the brain reorganize itself, thereby activating its own intrinsic healing capability. As a result of training, central nervous system (CNS) activity stabilizes. As the brain increases cognitive flexibility and resilience due to an increase in the neural network, openness to change and motivation improve.

NeurOptimal is non-invasive and does not push the brain in any “direction” during training, it is highly unlikely you will feel any side effects following a session. Any noticeable shifts in your mood, awareness or energy level after brain training really depends on the individual and can vary from session to session. Very few clients report negative side effects, and if they do, it’s usually drowsiness during or immediately after a session.

You will sit in a comfortable chair and simply relax. Two tiny sensors are applied to your scalp and earclips to your ears. These sensors allow neuroptimal to read the delicate electrical activity of your brain, much like an EKG reads your heart. You then listen to music and watch an ever-changing visual display, although you can close your eyes and tune out if you prefer. Children sometimes like to play a quiet game or read a book. There are very brief pauses in the music indicating NeurOptimal is at work, invisibly guiding you through a complex mathematical dance during which the challenge to your brain is varied.

Despite the complexity “under the hood”, no effort is required from you during sessions, at all! Simply relax and enjoy the 33.5 minute session while your brain re-organizes itself.

• Down moods and depression
• Marriage or other relationship problems
• Low self-esteem
• Need to understand themselves better
• Feel anxious and / or suffering panic attacks
• Dissatisfied with career or job
• Working through major life changes
• Want to become more assertive
• Grieving the loss of a loved one
• Experiencing too much stress
• Addiction or compulsive behaviors

• One spouse wants to seperate or divorce
• Communication has broken down
• Conflicts are frequent, unresolved and out of control
• Sexual problems
• Parenting problems
• Difficulties blending step-families
• Financial stress
• Disagreement concerning roles and responsibilities
• Unfaithfulness, pornography addiction and/or infidelity
• General dissatisfaction with their marriage/relationship

Have you become just "roommates", sharing the house but no emotional connection? Has positive communication become almost non-existant? If you and your spouse are experiencing distress in your relationship, having a third party neutral professional to talk to could be the answer. Couples who wait too long before seeking help tend to build walls of anger, frustration, sadness, and resentment. For these couples, counseling can still be highly effective, but there is often a lot of healing that must take place in order for the partners to move forward.

Our children can be wonderful blessings to us… or sources of stress! Parents often approach us to counsel their teen or child. Parents ask us to help because their child or teen is:

• Grieving the loss of someone who has died
• Adjusting to parent's divorce
• Adjusting to parent's remarriage and new roles
• Depressed
• Exhibiting behavioral problems
• Failing school for no apparent reason
• Struggling with peer problems
• Not getting along well with parents
• Fearful and worried
• Demonstrating behavior changes

People sometimes struggle with the decision to see a counselor. In many cases, people fear they won't feel comfortable when they see a counselor for the first time. Unfortunately, some people allow that discomfort to prevent them from getting help they need! Here are a few of the reasons that prevent or delay people from taking the steps to give counseling a try.

• Nothing could be more untrue. It takes courage to address problems and openly discuss feelings. Entering counseling is taking the first step in resolving difficulties. Seeing your struggles through they eyes of a Christian counselor and working to get through them in a healthy way is life-changing!

2.) Counseling is for crazy people

• Counseling is not just for people who are severely mentally ill; it is also for people who feel stuck, which is everyone at some time or another. Counseling helps when you have tried to address an issue in all the ways you know how but nothing has solved the problem. Strong people ask for help.

3.) What if someone finds out what I talk about.

• Counseling at Pneuma Counseling is strictly CONFIDENTIAL. We abide by strict professional and ethical standards. It would not be OK for a clinician to inform anyone about what you share in session—or even that you were seen for counseling. There are rare exceptional situations when a clinician might have to share some information you revealed in a counseling session. Counselors have a legal responsibility to disclose information without your consent if that is necessary to protect you or others from serious harm. These include cases where a client has communicated a serious threat of physical violence toward him/herself or someone else, or cases of child abuse or elder abuse, for example. Other than those rare exceptions, counseling is strictly CONFIDENTIAL!

4.) I wouldn’t know what to say.

• You don’t need to know what to talk about before you come. In counseling, people examine whether there are ways they think, feel and/or behave that they can improve. In the process of exploring that, people often discuss any number of topics that come to mind. People who have spent time in counseling better understand themselves andthe way they relate to others better.

5.) I am a Christian and if my faith is strong, I shouldn't need counseling

• False! There is tremendous value in walking with an educated person who has studied how humans respond to various unwanted events. While we strongly encourage prayer and Biblical responses in our therapeutic appraoch, we believe there is wisdom in counsel. Proverbs 15:22 says: Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

6.) I can always talk to a friend.

• Friends are wonderful.They can be very supportive. However, a counseling relationship is different because a counselor is a trained professional person focused on you and your well-being. Friends can give some good advice at times, but often it is not what we need.

7.) Just talking won't help anything.

• Actually, talking can do a lot of good. We are built to share our darkest moments, but the enemy knows that bringing them to the light will begin the healing process. So, we become convinced that there is shame or embarrassment in sharing what we have been through. Keeping your thoughts and feelings to yourself can cause great emotional pressures to build and toxify your life. Talking things over with a caring, non-judgemental professional helps tremendously! However, counseling involves much more than just talking. You will grow in your understanding of yourself and your identity. You will learn new and better ways of looking at your problems... and in doing so, you very well may find great new ways of dealing with the issues that you face.

8.) I'm letting my family down.

• We are extremely sensitive and respectful of your concerns about family traditions and privacy. Such issues can be discussed in the very first session if you prefer, even before more personal matters are addressed. Many cultures still see counseling as weakness and offensive, but as more and more people seek counseling, that is drastically changing.

9.) Talking about my problems just makes them worse.

• Actually, examining suppressed issues helps reduce the pain. It leads to understanding ourselves and our problems better if we deal with them in healthy ways and put things in place to support healthy growth instead of suppressing our pain. This in turn leads to a wider array of options and possibilities. Talking about your problems with the help of an experienced professional counselor ultimately leades to better decision making and problem solving.

10.) I may have or want a career in some other field that requires security checks or a high public profile. A history of getting counseling could be a black mark.

• No employer to which you apply can force us to share your counseling records. If any individual or office ever wants to know anything about your counseling, you would have to allow that before this information is released, except in the rare exceptional cases such as noted above in item #3.