What Is Neurofeedback? A Holistic Approach to Mental Health Support in Arizona

When it comes to mental health, many people are looking for more than just medication or talk therapy. They want solutions that address the root of the problem - not just the symptoms. That’s where neurofeedback comes in. If you’ve ever wondered “What is neurofeedback?” or whether it could help you or your child, you're not alone - and you're in the right place.

At Brain Body Wellness and Biofeedback, PLLC, we believe in treating the whole person - mind, body, and brain. Neurofeedback is one of the science-backed tools we use to support anxiety, ADHD, depression, and other brain-based concerns.

What Is Neurofeedback?

Neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that focuses on your brain’s electrical activity. It gives us a real-time look at your brain waves so we can understand how well your brain is functioning. Think of it like a mirror for your brain—it helps us see which areas are overactive, underactive, or out of sync.

During a session, 2–4 small sensors (called electrodes) are gently placed on your scalp. These sensors don’t hurt and don’t send anything into your brain. They simply record your brain activity and send it to a computer.

Just like a doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to your heart, we use these sensors to “listen” to your brain. From there, we can begin to gently retrain your brain using natural, non-invasive methods.

How Neurofeedback Helps with Anxiety and More

Neurofeedback doesn't just cover up symptoms—it works to correct imbalances in the brain’s functioning. This approach helps people feel more balanced, focused, and calm, especially those living with:

• Anxiety

• ADHD

• Depression

• Trauma

• Sleep issues

• Chronic pain

When your brain is out of balance - either overactive or underactive - it can impact your mood, attention, energy, and memory. Neurofeedback helps bring the brain back into alignment through training exercises that teach your brain to function more efficiently.

What to Expect During Neurofeedback

Here’s the fun part: neurofeedback sessions often involve playing video games or watching a movie. But there’s a twist - your brain waves control the experience. For example, when your brain reaches a calm or focused state, the movie continues to play. If your brain becomes too distracted or agitated, it pauses. Over time, this helps your brain learn what patterns feel better and how to return to that state more easily.

It’s natural, safe, and for many people - transformative.

The Science Behind Neurofeedback

Wondering if neurofeedback really works? The research says yes.

• A meta-analysis concluded that neurofeedback for ADHD is both “efficacious and specific,” meaning it directly targets symptoms and leads to measurable improvements (Arns et al., 2009).

• A literature review found that 7 out of 8 studies showed positive effects of neurofeedback for anxiety (Moore, 2000).

• For depression, studies show neurofeedback can improve working memory and processing speed (Escolano et al., 2014).

• It has even been shown to reduce chronic pain in conditions like Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type 1 (Jensen et al., 2007).

These results reflect what we see in our own practice - clients feeling more calm, focused, and capable of handling life’s stressors after completing neurofeedback training.

Treating the Whole Brain, Not Just the Symptoms

It’s easy to think of anxiety, ADHD, and depression as purely psychological conditions—but biology plays a major role too. Neurofeedback helps regulate the biological systems behind mental health symptoms, giving you an additional layer of support on your healing journey.

Whether you’re an adult experiencing burnout, a young professional navigating overwhelm, or a parent seeking support for your child with ADHD, neurofeedback can help you find clarity, resilience, and relief.

Explore Neurofeedback for Personalized Mental Health Support in Arizona

At Brain Body Wellness and Biofeedback, PLLC, we offer neurofeedback for mental health support in Arizona and across the state through in-person services in Scottsdale and online statewide. If you’re looking for a holistic, evidence-based way to manage anxiety or ADHD, neurofeedback might be the right path for you.

Looking for natural anxiety or ADHD treatment in Arizona?

Let’s talk about how neurofeedback can help you feel more in control - without losing yourself in the process.

Schedule Appointment

References

• Arns, M., de Ridder, S., Strehl, U., Breteler, M., & Coenen, A. (2009). Efficacy of neurofeedback treatment in ADHD: The effects on inattention, impulsivity and hyperactivity: A meta-analysis. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, 40(3), 180–189.

• Moore, N. C. (2000). A review of EEG biofeedback treatment of anxiety disorders. Clinical Electroencephalography, 31(1), 1–6.

• Escolano, C., Navarro-Gil, M., Garcia-Campayo, J., Congedo, M., & Minguez, J. (2014). The effects of individual upper alpha neurofeedback in ADHD: An open-label pilot study. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 39(3-4), 193–202.

• Jensen, M. P., Grierson, C., Tracy-Smith, V., Bacigalupi, S. C., & Othmer, S. (2007). Neurofeedback treatment for pain associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Type I. Journal of Neurotherapy, 11(1), 45–53.