( HS Rongel Martinez 2023 ) Neurofeedback Training as an Alternative Non-pharmaceutical Treatment Modality for Development

Course overview

Developmental trauma is arguably one of the costliest public health challenges in the USA and defined as a chronic early childhood exposure to neglect and abuse by their caregiver. Developmental trauma has been shown to have a long-lasting adverse pervasive impact on mental, physical functioning as well as neurophysiological development. This impact includes shorter lifespans, interference with adequate daily functioning, and compromises the ability for an individual to benefit from other treatments. Neurofeedback is one promising treatment modality for developmental trauma. Neurofeedback is a non-pharmaceutical, self-regulation treatment modality that alters electrical brain activities associated with various brain conditions including PTSD and developmental trauma. Research has shown that for children and adults with developmental trauma, neurofeedback significantly reduces PTSD symptoms and improves behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and executive functioning. This presentation focuses on neurofeedback as a treatment modality for developmental trauma. It begins with a theoretical background of neurofeedback including discussing relevant research and how neurofeedback can address neurophysiological disturbances. The majority of the presentation is dedicated to implementation and ways of incorporating neurofeedback into the clinic setting. The presentation concludes with a discussion of the challenges related to neurofeedback and future directions of neurofeedback. Throughout there will be case presentations, research data and a demonstration of a neurofeedback session.