Anxiety disorders involve abnormal patterns of brainwave activity, which can contribute to heightened states of arousal, excessive worry, and feelings of fear or unease.
Individuals with anxiety disorders may exhibit alterations in brainwave frequencies, such as increased beta activity and reduced alpha activity. These dysregulated brainwave patterns may lead to difficulties with relaxation, attention regulation, and emotional regulation, contributing to the symptoms of anxiety.
Brain training through neurofeedback aims to instruct the brain to generate healthier patterns and sustain a more stable state. This fosters self-regulation, enabling individuals to achieve improved mood stabilization.
When clients mention to Dr. Caroline that they can “trust their brain” again after starting neurofeedback, they typically mean that they experience reduced susceptibility to mood swings, enhanced ability to focus, and decreased anger. As a result, they may notice an increase in their overall functioning, feeling less reactive and more capable of responding appropriately to various situations.
At Balance Atlanta, we believe there is a place for prescription drugs to address the symptoms associated with anxiety. However, many of our clients are seeking additional services such as BrainCore Therapy neurofeedback to minimize the potential side effects of medications, including:
Research has shown the effectiveness of neurofeedback in treating conditions such as anxiety and bipolar disorder. A study conducted by Ed Hamlin, a neuropsychologist at the Pisgah Institute in North Carolina, examined the use of neurofeedback in bipolar patients, many of whom had a history of frequent hospitalizations.
After undergoing neurofeedback training, patients experienced significant improvements, including reduced medication dependence, enhanced daily functioning, improved relationships, better academic and work performance, and a notable decrease in hospitalizations. However, BrainCore Therapy is not a replacement for prescription medications.
BrainCore Therapy neurofeedback promotes stability by encouraging the brain to adopt healthier patterns. As stability becomes the prevailing pattern in the brain, many clients may gradually decrease both neurofeedback training and medication usage under the supervision of their doctor. Even susceptible bipolar clients may experience a noticeable shift in mood and increased calmness after just a few minutes of neurofeedback, even while taking substantial doses of medication.
As the brain’s functioning improves during neurofeedback sessions, practitioners can continuously adjust the training to sustain and build upon these improvements, sometimes within a single session.
During neurofeedback treatment at Balance Atlanta, sensors are placed on the individual’s head to measure brain patterns. A specialized computer system provides feedback to the brain, rewarding it for producing healthier and more stable patterns. The brain learns to generate these improved patterns independently with consistent practice and training.
BrainCore Therapy neurofeedback is akin to exercise for the brain, and multiple training sessions are typically required. The number of sessions varies depending on the complexity and severity of the disorder. Once the individual’s brain reaches a certain level of strength, training can be stopped or reduced to occasional maintenance sessions.
Anxiety is the body’s response to stress, often felt as worry, nervousness, or fear. While occasional
anxiety is normal, chronic anxiety can interfere with daily life, causing restlessness, tension, difficulty
concentrating, and sleep problems. In the brain, anxiety is linked to imbalances in brainwave patterns
that keep the nervous system “stuck” in a high-alert state. BrainCore neurofeedback helps retrain these
patterns, teaching the brain to regulate itself more effectively and shift toward calmer, healthier rhythms.
People with anxiety often show excessively high-beta brainwave activity, which is associated with
overthinking, worry, and tension. At the same time, they may have reduced alpha activity, making it
harder to relax. This imbalance keeps the brain in a state of hypervigilance. BrainCore neurofeedback
measures brainwave patterns with EEG mapping and then uses feedback training to encourage more
balanced rhythms. By restoring healthier patterns, the brain can shift away from constant stress and
into calmer states.
BrainCore neurofeedback trains the brain to reduce overactive patterns associated with anxiety and
strengthen those linked to calmness and focus. During training sessions, the brain receives positive
feedback when it produces healthier rhythms. Over time, these new patterns become more natural,
reducing the intensity and frequency of anxious thoughts. Many people notice improvements in sleep,
mood, and stress tolerance. Because neurofeedback works through the brain’s ability to learn and
adapt, results can be long-lasting.
BrainCore neurofeedback is non-invasive, drug-free, and safe for both adults and children. Sensors
placed on the scalp only measure brain activity; nothing is put into the brain. The process is painless,
and many people find sessions relaxing. Some may feel tired afterward as the brain adapts, but side
effects are rare. Because it relies on the brain’s natural ability to self-regulate, BrainCore is considered
a gentle and effective option for supporting long-term anxiety relief.
The number of sessions depends on the individual, but most people need between 20 and 40 sessions
for lasting change. Some notice improvements after 8–10 sessions, such as feeling calmer or sleeping
better. Neurofeedback is a learning process — each session builds on the last, helping the brain
gradually adopt healthier rhythms. Once new patterns are established, they are often long-lasting,
though occasional maintenance sessions may be helpful during times of stress.
A BrainCore session begins by placing small sensors on the scalp to record brain activity. The
individual then watches a video or plays a simple game that responds to their brainwaves in real time.
When the brain produces calmer, healthier rhythms, the video or game rewards that activity, this
reinforcement teaches the brain to self-correct. Sessions last about 30–45 minutes and are
comfortable, engaging, and tailored to the individual’s needs.
Children and teens often experience anxiety related to school, social pressures, or life changes.
BrainCore neurofeedback is safe and gentle for young people, and many enjoy the video-based
feedback format. By teaching the brain to regulate its activity, neurofeedback helps kids feel calmer,
more focused, and more resilient. Parents often notice improvements in mood, sleep, and behavior.
Since results are learned through repetition, they can last well beyond the training program.
Medication can help manage symptoms of anxiety, but it often only works while it’s being taken.
BrainCore neurofeedback works differently — it teaches the brain to regulate itself naturally, without
drugs. While medication alters brain chemistry from the outside, neurofeedback strengthens the brain’s
own ability to stay calm and focused. Some people use BrainCore alongside medication, while others
prefer it as a drug-free option. The key benefit is the potential for long-term, learned improvements.
When anxiety decreases, high-beta activity typically reduces, while alpha and low-beta rhythms
increase. This shift allows the brain to relax without losing focus. Balanced brainwave activity helps
regulate emotions, improve concentration, and support better sleep. BrainCore neurofeedback
encourages these healthier patterns through repeated reinforcement. As the brain learns to sustain
them, people often feel calmer, more resilient, and less overwhelmed by daily stressors.
Results from BrainCore are often long-lasting because the brain learns and retains new patterns. Once
the brain is trained to regulate itself, it tends to maintain those rhythms naturally, much like riding a bike.
Stressful life events may sometimes disrupt balance, but occasional “tune-up” sessions can reinforce
progress. Many people report continued improvements in calmness, focus, and sleep long after
completing their program, reflecting the brain’s ability to adapt and sustain healthier function.