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Neurofeedback for depression
  • Anxiety Therapy, Neurofeedback Therapy

Does Neurofeedback Work for Anxiety?

The short answer is, yes! Anxiety is one of the most studied and well proven symptoms that neurofeedback .can assist with. Though the approach is more complicated and time consuming than taking a pill, the long lasting effects of neurofeedback therapy and holistic mental health treatment on anxiety are an option that many people are turning to.

The Side Effects of Anxiety & Medication

Medication is slowly losing it’s desirability as an option for anxiety, with neurofeedback and biofeedback are rapidly growing in popularity as an alternative.

The potential side effects of medication are to put it simply, terrifying. Hypotension, decreased sex drive, depression, emotional dysfunction, memory loss, difficulty thinking, decreased IQ, weight loss/gain (1)…the list goes on. And what’s worse – 38% of clients taking SSRI’s report adverse side effects (2). That’s nearly half of all individuals taking one type of anxiety medication with no guaranteed results!

What medication misses is the innate (and actually quite healthy!) nervous system response to perceive threats in our environment. Our brains and bodies have evolved to detect and analyze threats in a highly evolved way. The amount of perceived threats that

we are exposed to in modern day to day activities are numerous. Family cohesiveness, toxic chemical exposure, social likability factors, racing down the freeway…our brains are constantly scanning for threats to protect us from.

Which, unfortunately, can feel like anxiety. Though our brains are actually working properly…without a proper amount of neutral focus (think meditation or down time), the effects of modern life can feel overwhelming. Luckily, alternatives to manage this anxiety are evolving by the day with neurofeedback being one of the top contenders for symptom management.

How Does Neurofeedback Help Anxiety

Through a QEEG Brain Map, a licensed clinician can see the patterns of electrical activity in the brain that can contribute to anxiety. Whether it be generalized instability (think caffeine jitters), PTSD (hello, childhood trauma!), overanalyzing, head injury or hormonal imbalances…these are all patterns we can see on a QEEG Brain Map for anxiety.

While some of these patterns may feel extreme, many of them have numerous studies with proven results on decreased intensity in symptoms (3).

What Happens During A Neurofeedback Session

In a neurofeedback session, your clinician will place electrodes on the locations of the brain that your brain map show to need adjustments in specific brainwaves. Training for the client is simple and pain free as you relax in a comfy chair watching Netflix. Layered over the show’s are a series of sounds, such as beeps or dings that teach your brain how to regulate itself independently. Learn more about what to expect in session here.

Sources:

  1. Benzodiazepine Side Effects: Role of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics – Abstract – Pharmacology 1995, Vol. 51, No. 4 – Karger Publishers
  2. Real-World Data on SSRI Antidepressant Side Effects – PMC (nih.gov)
  3. Research | About Neurofeedback

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Pauly Munn, MA, LPC

Individual & Couples Counselor; Neurofeedback Clinician; EMDR-Trained (PhD Candidate)

Pauly is a Colorado native who received his MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Regis University, and is a current doctoral candidate for a PhD in Clinical Psychology program at Fielding Graduate University. Pauly is an empathetic counselor who believes in a compassionate, yet direct approach to therapy. Pauly believes his clients are the experts of their experience. Through a collaborative lens, clients who work with Pauly are able to gain meaningful insight into their experience which in-turn provides the essential resources for navigating change and/or healing emotional wounds. Pauly utilizes an integrated trauma-informed lens blended with evidence-based modalities including ACT, CBT, EFT, and more. Pauly specializes in working with adult individuals and couples, with several years of experience working directly with a broad range of presenting challenges including relationship challenges, PTSD & complex trauma, substance use disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, and more. More importantly, Pauly believes in building a safe space in which each and every one of his clients feels seen & heard. Pauly identifies as a Latino-American, and is passionate about conducting therapy utilizing a social justice & diversity-informed lens. Pauly has a strong background working with multicultural identities, and believes in the importance of recognizing our unique differences. Pauly loves staying active through basketball, tennis, volleyball, hiking, dancing, strength training, and more. Additionally, Pauly spends time actively engaging in ongoing research projects in trauma, social justice, and neuropsychology.

Pauly's Specialties

  • Depression
  • Complex Trauma
  • Couples Counseling
  • EMDR Trained
Work With Pauly

Brianna Herrera, MA, LPCC

Individual & Couples Counselor; Neurofeedback Clinician

Brianna believes in a holistic approach to counseling, integrating mind, body, and spirit in her work with clients. She strives to help clients weave the various aspects of their lives together through a collaborative approach, meeting her clients where they’re at and partnering with them to create lasting change and a greater sense of wholeness in their lives. Brianna seeks to create a grounding and non-judgmental space where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and experiences with freedom and authenticity. She embraces a variety of evidence-based treatment modalities to best meet her clients’ specific needs and goals, such as trauma-informed CBT, DBT, mindfulness-based techniques, solution-focused therapy, emotion-focused therapy, and humanistic approaches. In her work with couples, Brianna focuses on helping partners improve communication, strengthen their emotional connection, and navigate challenges such as conflict resolution, intimacy issues, and life transitions. She believes that life-giving, functioning relationships are foundational to a person’s sense of well-being. Brianna is certified in facilitating both SYMBIS and Prepare-Enrich couples counseling sessions. In her free time, she can often be found adventuring outside with her husband and pup, hosting a game night, or enjoying time with community.

Brianna's Specialties

  • Couples + Dating Therapy
  • Pre/Postpartum
  • Anxiety
  • Women's Issues
Work With Brianna

Sydney Focht, MA, LPC

Clinical Director & Counselor

I specialize in working with women in their 20s to 50s who struggle with self-worth, self-esteem, and the guilt that often comes with prioritizing themselves. Finding self-trust and the ability to feel worthy of happiness are common topics in my work. My clients tend to put off therapy because they downplay their struggles, describing their pain as ‘not that big of a deal.’ Many of them grew up in households where expressing emotions wasn’t encouraged and they are still looking for security now. My goal is to create a space where you feel completely free to be yourself—no pressure, no expectations. Therapy with me isn’t about either of us being ‘perfect’—it’s more about you feeling safe, seen, and supported as you figure things out in a way that works for you. I prioritize meaningful conversations that get to the heart of the issue, getting to the root and out of surface level conversation quickly. Going through my own therapy has given me a deeper understanding of what it’s like to be in the client’s seat, and it’s made me even more passionate about helping others find the support that truly works for them. My clients describe me as focused, compassionate, nonjudgmental, and down-to-earth. I truly love what I do and that comes through in my work! I’m a person-centered therapist, but I often integrate elements of Motivational Interviewing, CBT, and IFS.

Sydney's Specialties

  • Perfectionism
  • Eating Disorders
  • Grief/Loss
  • Women's Issues
Work With Sydney

Cassandra Keller, MA, LPCC

Neurofeedback Clinician & Counselor (EMDR-Trained)

I support adults and teens (15+) who are ready to find relief from trauma, anxiety, depression, or feeling stuck in life, career, or identity transitions. Using a compassionate, trauma-informed, and integrative approach, I help clients reconnect with themselves and move toward balance and resilience. I’m EMDR-trained and draw from person-centered, gestalt, DBT, and somatic practices. Whether we’re working with the nervous system, processing painful memories, or exploring patterns with curiosity, my goal is to create a safe, collaborative space where you feel supported, present, and empowered to grow. I especially enjoy working with athletes, creative people, students, and outdoor adventurers who value resilience, beauty, and balance. Alongside therapy and grounding practices, I also offer neurofeedback as another powerful pathway for nervous system regulation and healing. Outside the office, you’ll often find me climbing, fly fishing, running trails, foraging, or relaxing in the grass under the aspens. My love for movement, play, and nature continually inspires how I show up with clients.

Cassandra's Specialties

  • Trauma and Developmental Trauma
  • Nervous System Regulation
  • Anxiety
  • Mind-Body Connection
Work With Cassandra