24 February, 2026
Neurofeedback, also known as EEG biofeedback, is a powerful tool to help train the brain to self-regulate. By measuring real-time brainwave activity, neurofeedback guides the brain toward healthier patterns linked with better focus, calmness, emotional balance, and resilience. Think of it like a brain gym - training your brain into healthier patterns.
But not all neurofeedback systems are the same. The technology, feedback method, and level of precision can vary greatly. Let's break down the different types of neurofeedback by first understanding more about the brainwaves.
Understanding Brainwaves
Our brains are always active, sending tiny electrical signals called brainwaves. These waves change depending on what we’re doing, feeling, or thinking. Brainwaves can be talked about based on different qualities that they posses such as:
Frequency (speed):
Fast brainwaves appear when we’re alert, focused, or even anxious. Slower waves show up when we’re calm, daydreaming, or drifting off to sleep.Amplitude (strength):
This shows how big or powerful a brainwave is — like the volume of a sound. More of a specific brainwave might mean that the brain is working harder and producing more of that brainwave.Coherence (connection):
This reflects how well different parts of the brain communicate. Too much or too little coordination can make it harder to concentrate, regulate emotions, or feel balanced
Think of your brain like an orchestra
Each section of the orchestra — strings, drums, woodwinds — represents different brain areas. The speed of the waves is like how quickly each instrument plays, the amplitude is how loudly they play, and coherence is how well they keep time together.
When everything’s in sync, the music sounds smooth and harmonious. When it’s out of balance, things can feel offbeat or overwhelming.
Neurofeedback works like a gentle conductor, helping the brain’s “musicians” tune up and find their rhythm again — leading to clearer thinking, steadier moods, and better focus.
Imagine your brain as a busy city at night
Another analogy is to imagine each region of the brain is like a suburb in the city. Some areas light up with activity, while other areas are quiet.
The speed of brainwaves is like the traffic flow: sometimes fast-paced, sometimes slow and relaxed. The amplitude is the brightness of the lights — showing how active that part of town is. And coherence is how well the roads and traffic lights are timed, allowing messages to travel smoothly from one place to another.
Neurofeedback acts like smart city planning — adjusting the flow, dimming or brightening areas as needed, and improving communication across the whole network so the “city” runs calmly, efficiently, and in balance.
Different Types of Neurofeedback
Just as there's different characteristics to describe and understand brainwaves, there's also different ways to train the brainwaves. Here we'll discuss the various types of neurofeedback available.
Traditional Frequency Based
This is the oldest and most established type of neurofeedback dating back to the 60s and 70s.
It's used to calm over-active parts of the brain and / or boost under-active parts. This type of neurofeedback typically uses one or two sensors on the head.
This is the type of neurofeedback training used and encouraged by the likes of trauma specialist Sebern Fisher.
This can be based on symptoms (eg: migraines would typically involve temporal lobe balancing) or based on QEEG functional brain scans for individualised approach (eg: dysfunction is present in the left frontal lobe).
Z-Score Neurofeedback
When we compare your brainwaves to those of a healthy control group, we can see which areas might be linked to your challenges — and which might be your strengths.
Your brain activity is compared to what’s typical for your age and gender. This gives us a number called a Z-score, which shows how far your brain activity is from the average range (what we call the “bell curve”).
If certain brain areas are far outside this normal range and those same areas relate to your symptoms, those are the ones we focus on in training. Z-score neurofeedback helps guide your brain activity back toward the healthy range — balancing it so it can work more efficiently.
This type of neurofeedback involves having a QEEG functional brain scan to analysis your results compared to the "normative database". The QEEG report will details areas of the brain to target (eg: the pain or attention network). This form of neurofeedback training involves wearing the QEEG cap each session to train the entire scalp, not just 1-2 spots.
3D Neurofeedback
Deeper brain areas can be localised using advanced technology. Localisation can target specific areas such as:
Amygdala: "fear centre" commonly involved with anxiety and chronic pain)
Cingulate Cortex: involved in pain perception, emotional regulation, social skills and attention
Pre-Frontal Cortex: the decision maker for executive functions like planning, refining, questioning, assessing and executing high-level thinking
This technology is called LORETA and has advanced since first published in 1994. It's now more refined versions are sLORETA or swLORETA, the most advanced form. swLORETA uses over 12,000 voxels (how much detail is involved) compared to sLORETA which uses over 2000 voxels. This is why we use swLORETA software for the most specific localisation.
This will often involve training "networks" or parts of the brain that work together to achieve a goal. Some networks include pain, attention, word-finding and tinnitus.
Infra-Low Neurofeedback
Working on the slowest brainwaves - below 0.1Hz. It is linked to autonomic function and stability. Often used for emotional trauma.
Why we use Several Forms of Neurofeedback
We don't believe in a one size fits all approach. We offer several forms of neurofeedback so that we can fit the right approach to each person. We offer:
Traditional frequency neurofeedback
Z-score training
swLORETA training
We offer QEEG functional brain scans so that we can analysis specific areas of the brain to target: the location, the frequency, the amplitude and coherence to write a program specific to your goals and your brain's state.
Understanding that the brain doesn't work in isolation, we couple this with hands-on therapies (like calming cranials, chiropractic or acupuncture), home exercise programs (eg: retained primitive reflexes, balance training, etc), nutrition programs with qualified dietitians and naturopaths and psychological support.
How to Choose the Right form of Neurofeedback for You
The right form of neurofeedback can look different for everyone. Many factors can dictate what might be best for you such as:
Your goals: symptoms, complex and chronicity
QEEG functional brain scan results: is the dysfunction localised or more broad network involved?
Neuroplasticity Capacity: age, cognitive function and overall brain health
Co-Exisiting Conditions: epilepsy, brain-injury, vision problems, etc
Feedback Given: some types of neurofeedback have more engaging games for kids or less flashing for those with visual sensitivities.
Evidence: what the evidence suggests is best for your specific condition
The first step is to have an initial consultation so that your practitioner can understand your goals, current and past health and other factors that will dictate brain health & function. From there, a discussion will be had about recommendations and options for you to choose the best path forward.
Appointments available in Moonee Ponds or online.
About the Author
Dr Cassie Atkinson-Quinton - Chiropractor, Brain Health Coach & Biofeedback Practitioner
Dr Cassie is a Chiropractor and Brain Health Coach. Having a special interest in treating nerves and brain-based conditions like nerve pain, chronic pain, dizziness, whiplash, migraines and fibromyalgia. She's one of a handful of practitioners to be trained in Neuro-Rehabilitation, Neurofeedback, QEEG Functional Brain Scans and Brain Health Coaching. She’s had concussions and atypical migraines as well as a vestibular disorder called Labyrinthitis. During this time, she would hold on to tables to avoid falling over. She understands the journey coming from a family of chronic pain and migraine sufferers.
