Absolutely! NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback is considered safe and non-invasive, which means that the device is not adding/doing anything to your brain. It does not involve manipulation of brainwave activity or the use of electrical currents, making it safe for individuals of all ages.

Since NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback does not force the brain to change, it does not create side effects. It is completely non-invasive.

Yes! NeurOptimal® received the General Wellness Device designation in 2018 as a safe product to be used directly by consumers. You can read the FDA Guideline statements from NeurOptimal® using the link below: .

Each session is approximately 33 minutes long. At home, it will also take you a few minutes to set up and remove the sensors at the start and end of each session. In the office, we will use additional time to review progress.

Every person's experience is different, with some people noticing shifts after the first session and some noticing after multiple sessions. For most people, real change and impact occur over multiple and frequently repeated sessions. The most commonly noted shifts occur for clients around 10 sessions.

Prior to training, you will attach two sensors to your scalp and three sensors to your ears. You will also place headphones/earbuds in your ears in order to hear auditory feedback (music track). During training, the software will read your brainwave activity and give precisely timed interruptions in the music track to alert your brain when maladaptive patterns are occurring. Passively, your brain will learn to self-correct which leads to improved brain performance.

Many clients report feeling more calm/relaxed, grounded, less stressed, more focused. Some clients may notice feeling tired after sessions, similar to the fatigue experienced after a good workout.

It is recommended to train your brain at least once per week, with up to daily NeurOptimal® sessions depending on your needs. Over time, and as you begin to attune to your brain's unique needs, you can try to align sessions with how you are feeling.

Your brain training session can be tailored to what feels comfortable for you! Many clients enjoy using the time to sit/lay back and relax, similar to meditating. Some clients enjoy doing stationary activities during sessions like reading a book, working on their computer, or playing a game. It is not recommended to use NeurOptimal® systems during activities that require a lot of movement (e.g., walking, exercising).

NeurOptimal® brain training can be equated to a learning task. Just like riding a bike, once your brain knows how to do it, it is very challenging to "unlearn". Based on this principle, the effects tend to be long-lasting. Our brains can get rusty over time and can also be impacted by stress, habits, and environmental factors. Therefore, some clients benefit from renting systems for "tune-ups" if they notice they are less resilient, more irritable, or more distracted.

NeurOptimal® brain training has the potential to work for many individuals based on its sound scientific principles. However, there are some factors that can make it difficult for clients to notice improvements. Low number of sessions: brain training is effective when done through consistent repetition, just like building a muscle. It may not be effective if you do not complete the recommended number of sessions. Active stessors: although a short-term factor, new active stressors during the course of neurofeedback may make it hard for you to notice changes. Lifestyle: lifestyle choices significant impact brain health. These can include diet, physical activity, harmful substances, sleep hygiene, quality of relationships, and stress.

NeurOptimal® sessions are $120/hour. I also offer NeurOptimal® rental packages through my sister/partnered companies (NeurEvolve, 2beinflow) for $1200/month.

Yes! QEEG brain mapping and neurofeedback training are generally considered safe, non-invasive procedures. Both involve placing electrodes on the scalp to measure the brain's electrical activity, but do not send any electrical impulses into the brain. it is similar to a standard EEG, which has been used safely for decades in medical settings.

Since QEEG and neurofeedback are non-invasive, they typically do not cause side effects. In some cases, individuals may experience mild fatigue or headaches, but these usually resolve quickly.

QEEG is an FDA-approved diagnostic tool used to assess brainwave patterns, while neurofeedback is considered a training tool rather than a medical treatment. As a result, neurofeedback itself is not FDA-approved for specific conditions but is recognized as a safe and non-invasive technique for brain regulation. The specific system (BrainMaster Technologies) used is cleared with the FDA and has three separate FDA 510k’s (one for Hardware, one for Software, and one for Database).

QEEG's require you to come into the office for 1 hour (15-20 minutes of preparation, 20-30 minutes of recording, 5-10 minutes of clean-up). Analysis of the data is performed afterward and may take up to a week to complete.

The length of your session can vary depending on the type of training we decide to do. LoRETA Neurofeedback: sessions are typically 60 minutes (with 40 minutes of actual brain training) Single-Channel Neurofeedback: sessions are typically 30 minutes (with 20 minutes of actual brain training) Both approaches include time for review, preparation, the neurofeedback training, and post-session review.

Every person's experience is different, with some people noticing shifts after the first session and some noticing after multiple sessions. For most people, real change and impact occur over multiple and frequently repeated sessions. The most commonly noted shifts occur for clients around 10 sessions.

During a QEEG, a cap with sensors is placed on your scalp to record electrical activity in different regions of your brain. The recording captures brainwave patterns while you're at rest with eyes open and eyes closed. In a neurofeedback session, sensors are placed on specific areas of your scalp to monitor real-time brain activity. You’ll engage in activities like watching a movie or playing a game, where feedback (audio or visual cues) helps your brain self-regulate and improve functioning.

After your first few sessions, you may feel slight fatigue. After the brain has adjusted to the training, clients frequently describe feeling lighter, calmer, or more centred, as their brain begins to self-regulate and achieve more optimal functioning.

The frequency of QEEG and neurofeedback sessions can vary based on individual needs and treatment goals. A QEEG is typically performed once before starting neurofeedback training. This initial assessment helps establish a baseline and informs the treatment plan. Follow-up QEEGs may be done every few months or after a set number of neurofeedback sessions to assess progress. For optimal results, neurofeedback sessions are usually recommended 2 times per week, especially in the beginning. As progress is made, the frequency can be adjusted to once a week or every other week, depending on individual response and goals. Individual treatment plans may vary, so we will work together to tailor the frequency to your specific needs and circumstances.

Overall, a standard course of neurofeedback training often involves 20 to 40 sessions over several weeks or months.

Yes, the effects of neurofeedback can last for a long time, often becoming permanent. Neurofeedback helps train the brain to self-regulate, and once the brain learns to maintain more balanced patterns, many individuals experience long-term benefits. Research and clinical practice suggest that improvements in focus, emotional regulation, anxiety, and other areas can persist after the completion of a neurofeedback program. This is because neurofeedback promotes neuroplasticity, allowing the brain to develop new, healthier pathways. The lasting effects depend on factors such as the number of sessions completed, the severity of the initial brain dysregulation, and lifestyle habits. For some, periodic "booster" sessions may be recommended to maintain progress, especially if life circumstances or stress levels change significantly. Generally, clients often report that once their brain has achieved more optimal patterns through consistent training, the benefits are long-lasting and can become part of their new normal.

QEEG and neurofeedback sessions are $120/hour. The cost of the QEEG includes 1 hour of administration + 30 minutes for analysis ($180). You have the option to add a report for a breakdown of the findings (QEEG + report = $300)

Absolutely, mental health care should be accessible. As such, I am pleased to offer all psychotherapy services via HIPAA-compliant video platform or telephone.

Psychotherapy is a collaborative process between a therapist and client(s) designed to help individuals explore thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. It aims to improve mental health, coping skills, and emotional well-being.

My approach to therapy is client-centred, integrating evidence-based practices with a compassionate, individualized approach. I tend to utilize relational, narrative, and self-compassion-based modalities to foster self-awareness and emotional understanding. I strongly believe in the importance of the therapeutic relationship being grounded in trust and empathy. I adapt my methods to suit each client's unique needs and encourage collaboration, validation, and meaningful change within therapy. Client's tend to gravitate towards me who are high achievers, individuals with anxiety, individuals with ADHD, couples struggling with relationship challenges, and those dealing with self-esteem issues. Many of my clients are intellectualizers, overthinkers, and perfectionists. I aim to provide a supportive space for people who are seeking self-understanding and emotional growth. I am also formally trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) and will begin formal training in EMDR in January 2025.

There is no perfect recipe! While many clients attend sessions once a week or biweekly, the frequency can be adjusted and collaborated on based on your needs, goals, availability, and progress.

Absolutely. Confidentiality is the cornerstone of therapy. Everything discussed is kept private unless there are legal or ethical obligations to disclose (e.g., harm to self or others). We will review this information during our first session together.

My rate for individual psychotherapy is $165/hour. My rate for couples psychotherapy is $185/hour. Sliding scale rates may be applicable if needed. You may be able to claim the cost under private health insurance coverage (please check with your individual provider if Registered Psychotherapy is covered).

In-person sessions are held at 260 Hearst Way, Unit 504 in Kanata, Ontario K2L 3H1. Rental devices can be picked up from and dropped off to the same address above.

Psychotherapy services are covered by many private health insurance companies. I encourage you to check with your individual provider to ensure that psychotherapy is covered.

Within Ottawa and surrounding areas, we can personally deliver your NeurOptimal® system to your door for a flat rate fee of $20. Within Canada, we can have your NeurOptimal® system shipped for a flat rate fee of $40 with a return label provided.

E-transfer and all major credit cards are accepted using Quickbooks invoicing.

Individual Intake/Therapy Session 50 minutes​ $165 ​ Couples Intake/Therapy Session 50 minutes $185 ​ NeurOptimal Session 50 minutes $120 ​ Neurofeedback Session 50 minutes $120/30 minutes $60 QEEG Brain Map $200

NeurOptimal® and QEEG-guided neurofeedback are both forms of brain training, but they have distinct features and methodologies. 1. Approach: - NeurOptimal®: It is non-diagnostic, meaning it does not rely on an initial brain scan or analysis to create a training protocol. Instead, it offers a universal brain training approach that adapts in real time to any brain, aiming to optimize overall functioning without targeting specific brainwave patterns. - QEEG-guided Neurofeedback: This method begins with a Quantitative EEG (QEEG) brain map, which identifies specific brainwave patterns and abnormalities. From this data, a custom training protocol is designed to target and train specific dysregulated brainwave patterns. 2. Brain Led Training: - NeurOptimal®: Provides real-time feedback based on moment-to-moment changes in brain activity. It doesn't focus on rewarding or inhibiting specific brainwaves but instead allows the brain to self-correct by alerting it to changes in its own functioning. - QEEG-guided Neurofeedback: In this approach, feedback is targeted to influence specific brainwave frequencies that are identified as problematic. The practitioner uses the system to train the brain to increase or decrease these frequencies to correct imbalances. 3. Dynamical: - NeurOptimal®: Operates under a dynamical systems model, meaning it views the brain as a non-linear, self-organizing system. The feedback is designed to enhance the brain's natural ability to adapt and self-regulate without telling it what to do. - QEEG-guided Neurofeedback: Uses a linear model based on the analysis of specific brainwave activity. The brain is trained according to a protocol designed to change certain brainwave patterns identified as deviant from the norm. 4. Accessibility - NeurOptimal®: Because it does not require an initial QEEG, it is typically easier and quicker to get started. It is considered user-friendly, and sessions can often be run without a neurofeedback expert. This makes it more accessible for home use and non-clinical settings. - QEEG-guided Neurofeedback: Requires a trained professional to conduct the QEEG brain map, interpret the results, and design the training protocol. This makes it more suited for clinical settings and often involves more in-depth oversight. 5. Customization - NeurOptimal®: Does not offer customized protocols based on individual brain maps. It provides the same training to every user, relying on the brain's innate ability to reorganize and optimize itself. - QEEG-guided Neurofeedback: Offers highly customized training based on the individual's QEEG results. This allows for targeted interventions based on specific neurological or psychological conditions.

There is not objectively "better" approach to neurofeedback. As your clinician, I will help navigate you through the options and collaborate on an approach that best fits your goals, needs, and the context in which you want to use neurofeedback. Each has strengths and weaknesses, and what works best for one person may not be ideal for another. Here are some considerations to help determine which might be more appropriate: 1. Do you like data-driven treatment or a more holistic approach? - QEEG-guided Neurofeedback is highly customized, so it can target and address specific brainwave abnormalities associated with particular conditions and symptoms, as long as there are correlations determined in the brain mapping process. - NeurOptimal® is more focused on general brain optimization and well-being, making it widely applicable and allowing your brain to decide what it needs. 2. Do you value objective vs. subjective outcome measures? - QEEG-guided Neurofeedback has a strong foundation in scientific research, with studies supporting its efficacy for a variety of disorders like ADHD, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Because of the diagnostic component, it has been embraced more widely in clinical settings and is often covered in research articles. Likewise, because of the practitioner led component, there is trackable data produced at each session. - NeurOptimal® has less published research backing for its efficacy in treating specific disorders and relies more on self-report positive outcomes. Because our brain activity is constantly adapting and changing, its philosophy is not rooted in data tracking. 3. Would you like the practitioner to take the lead or your brain to take the lead? - QEEG-guided Neurofeedback is highly personalized, but directed by a practitioner. Based on a QEEG brain map, a clinician can tailor the protocol to your unique brain activity - putting them in the driver's seat for making clinical judgments about your brain. - NeurOptimal® allows your brain to be in charge of the session, using the feedback as information that it can use to notice and shift its own activity. 4. Would you like in-person sessions or a take-home rental system? - While both types can be conducted in-person, NeurOptimal® is generally considered more convenient because it doesn't require an initial brain map or ongoing assessment, and it can be easily used at home. - QEEG-guided Neurofeedback requires an initial QEEG scan and professional interpretation, and the training must be overseen by a practitioner. 5. Risk of side effects. - Both forms of neurofeedback are considered safe, with minimal risk of side effects. However, because QEEG-guided neurofeedback directly targets specific brainwave frequencies, there can occasionally be short-term side effects like headaches or fatigue. NeurOptimal®, by contrast, offers non-directive feedback, meaning it is less likely to cause any adverse reactions since it doesn’t train specific frequencies.

Yes, of course! You can still get a QEEG even if you are using NeurOptimal®. The two methods aren't mutually exclusive, and combining them can give you valuable insights into your brain’s functioning while allowing you to benefit from both approaches. Here’s how we can approach it: 1. Using QEEG for Assessment - Even if you’re using NeurOptimal®, you can opt for a QEEG brain map to get a detailed assessment of your brainwave patterns. This could provide insights into areas of dysregulation or imbalances, which might help guide your expectations for training outcomes, whether you stick with NeurOptimal® or explore additional forms of neurofeedback. 2. QEEG to Track Progress - Some people use QEEG to track changes over time, even when using NeurOptimal®. This can give a clearer picture of how your brainwaves are evolving through the training, even if NeurOptimal® doesn’t specifically target individual brainwaves. You can compare brain maps before and after a series of NeurOptimal® sessions to see how your brain’s activity has shifted. 3. Switching or Combining Approaches - If your QEEG results show particular brainwave abnormalities linked to certain conditions (e.g., ADHD or anxiety), you may choose to combine QEEG-guided neurofeedback with NeurOptimal® for a more comprehensive approach. You can train certain frequencies with QEEG-guided neurofeedback while still using NeurOptimal® for broader brain optimization. 4. Personalized Insights - Even if you’re happy with NeurOptimal®, a QEEG can provide personalized insights that you wouldn't get through NeurOptimal® alone. This information can be useful for understanding your brain's baseline activity and identifying any specific areas that might benefit from more targeted interventions outside of neurofeedback, if needed.