What is Biofeedback?

Biofeedback is a form of therapy that involves using technology to monitor and measure physiological responses in the body, such as heart rate, breathing, and muscle tension. By providing individuals with real-time feedback about these responses, biofeedback training can help people learn to control their body's functions and improve their physical and mental health.

What can biofeedback help with?

Biofeedback training is typically non-invasive and painless, and it has been shown to be effective in reducing stress, anxiety, chronic pain, maximizing mental and physical performance, and other conditions. It is often used in combination with other therapies, such as counseling or medication, to provide a comprehensive approach to treatment. Anyone looking to feel better, improve health, increase performance, and regulate emotions can benefit from biofeedback at Aspire Psychotherapy.

Learn how to use your breath and body to turn off fight or flight mode and enter a state of coherence. Coherence activates the parasympathetic nervous system, allowing your body to experience relaxation, calmness, digestion, and other restorative process. The photo below illustrates what coherence breathing looks like versus frustration.

At Aspire Psychotherapy, we currently use HRV biofeedback. However, there are many different types of biofeedback training, including:

• Heart rate variability biofeedback: This type of biofeedback involves measuring and providing feedback on the variability of the heart's rhythm. It can be used to help individuals learn to regulate their stress and improve their overall health.

• Respiratory biofeedback: This type of biofeedback involves measuring and providing feedback on breathing patterns and can be used to help people with asthma, anxiety, or other respiratory conditions improve their breathing.

• Electromyography (EMG) biofeedback: This type of biofeedback involves measuring and providing feedback on muscle tension. It can be used to help individuals with muscle tension or chronic pain learn to relax their muscles and reduce their pain.

• Neurofeedback: This type of biofeedback involves measuring brain waves and providing feedback to help individuals improve their mental focus and reduce symptoms of conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and depression.

  What happens during a biofeedback session?

  During a biofeedback training session, one of our expert therapists will attach heart rate sensors to your body (finger or ear sensor easily clips on) to measure your physiological responses. These sensors send information to a computer or device, which then provides feedback in the form of sounds, images, or other sensory cues. You will learn how to use this feedback to control your body's stress response and improve your physical and mental health.

  What does a training plan with biofeedback look like?

• Time Limited - Biofeedback protocols can be as short as 1 elongated session, but typically last 8-12 appointments in general.

• Technology Focused - Our sessions will focus on the use of Biofeedback technologies, both in-person and virtually. The first session includes a Baseline Psychophysiological Assessment, where we will get an understanding of where you are starting, which informs where we will go. Home equipment may be incorporated into the treatment plan to support at-home practice or virtual sessions. Virtual appointments focus on practicing techniques in real time, discussing successes/challenges in real life practice, and following up on our practice plan and goals.

• Goal Oriented - The nature of our work focuses on collecting baseline information, practicing in real-time with technology, and developing/implementing a practice plan. Biofeedback Assessments are re-administered every few sessions to understand progress and identify shifts in autonomic activity, coherence, and energy management (drains and regenerations).

• Stand Alone or with Therapy - Biofeedback work at Aspire Psychotherapy can be a stand alone treatment (biofeedback alone), strengthened with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction techniques, or used alongside talk therapy and sports performance coaching. The course of treatment is determined between you and your clinician, and is discussed during the intake assessment.