Choosing the Right Neurofeedback System

Linear neurofeedback therapy generally costs between $100 and $200 per session, with a full, effective, 20–40 session treatment plan typically totaling $2,000 to $8,000+. Initial assessments, or "brain maps" (qEEG), often cost an additional $200–$600+. 

With Non-linear NeurOptimal(R) neurofeedback rentals that you use at home; depending on the package, sessions can cost as little as $28 per session.  Additionally, with unlimited packages, the entire household can participate. 

All protocol-based neurofeedback systems carry some risk of side effects, despite claims otherwise. Because clinicians select and adjust protocols based on diagnosis, outcomes depend heavily on practitioner training and experience. Even skilled providers must monitor and modify protocols to manage potential side effects. While effective when well delivered, the process can feel “bumpy” at times.

NeurOptimal is a professional-grade, dynamical (non-protocol) system. It does not diagnose or direct the brain toward specific targets. Instead, it provides real-time feedback that allows the brain to self-correct, avoiding the risks associated with protocol adjustments.

Protocol-based approaches reflect a traditional medical model—targeting specific symptoms or regions. NeurOptimal® takes a systems-based view, supporting overall brain stability rather than focusing on a diagnosis or “problem.” Its approach aligns with systems thinking models such as Bowen Family Systems Theory.

When choosing a system, it’s important to weigh both the strengths and limitations of protocol-based methods.

NeurOptimal® is available for end users to rent for home use, proof of its ease of use. Written instructions to end users are rarely insufficient to get them started. As one NeurOptimal® trainer once said, “if you can turn on a tablet and double tap an icon, you can use NeurOptimal®.”

In addition, NeurOptimal® is a passive experience. In other words, the client does not need to concentrate on anything during training. It is passive for the client but not the client’s brain. The client can relax while the brain goes to work. This is of particular benefit for working with children, teens, infants, the infirm, and clients who have difficulty with motivation.

A conception exists in the neurofeedback industry that more sensors equals better training. According to Dr. Valdeane Brown, more data does not equal more meaningful data when it comes to neurofeedback. In his research over the course of a 40-year career in the field, he has found that sensors measure a summation of total brain activity and that neither the amount of sensors nor their placement significantly impacts or changes the feedback.

True neurofeedback does not add any electrical current to your brain. “Brain training” in the $200 to $600 range, such as NeuroSky or Muse, is akin to choosing a kazoo over an orchestra. The complexity and flexibility are much greater with professional-grade neurofeedback, and the results will match. The programs mentioned can be very soothing and enjoyable for some, but they are not neurofeedback. They do not actually train the brain to strengthen itself but rather force a state that may or may not work for everyone.