NeurOptimal vs Linear Neurofeedback

You might have heard “Neurofeedback” could help in a book or from a friend or health professional; then started researching.

By now, you may have noticed that there are different types of “Neurofeedback” making it have to compare & understand the differences.

To make it a bit easier to understand:

All “Neurofeedback” is brain training in some form.
But, how your brain is observed and trained is completely different between the types of Neurofeedback available.
It may not seem like it, but there are only two types of Neurofeedback available, categorised as either Linear or Non-Linear Dynamical.
Within the Linear type there are a variety of brands (different models and manufacturers)
Within the Non-Linear Dynamical type there is only one brand, NeurOptimal® Non-Linear Dynamical Neurofeedback®
NeurOptimal® is the only Non-Linear type because it was specially developed to overcome the limitations of Linear technology to enhance both results & client experience.
All Linear system brands follow the same general method of assessment and delivery, so we’ve grouped them together in the comparison table below.

Comparison of NeurOptimal® with Linear Neurofeedback

HOW IS THE SYSTEM ENCOURAGING MY BRAIN TO CHANGE?

TELLS THE BRAIN WHAT IT IS NATURALLY DOING NeurOptimal® simply observes the brain’s moment-to-moment activity. The system tracks sudden shifts or turbulence lets the brain know what it is doing through a brief pause in the music. This real-time feedback acts like a mirror, allowing the brain to notice its own activity and self-correct naturally. NeurOptimal® isn’t telling the brain what to do, it is offering it information it did not have so the brain can decide what to do next.

TELLS THE BRAIN WHAT TO DO Linear systems work by first assessing the brain with a qEEG (brain map) to identify areas believed to be overactive or underactive. Based on that diagnosis, a practitioner decides a protocol that trains the brain to increase or decrease specific brainwave frequencies. During sessions, the system gives rewards (like sounds or visuals)when the brain moves in the “desired” direction. Linear systems push and direct the brain toward a targeted state, based on the practitioner’s interpretation of the brain map.

HOW IS THE SYSTEM ENCOURAGING MY BRAIN TO CHANGE?

TELLS THE BRAIN WHAT IT IS NATURALLY DOING

NeurOptimal® simply observes the brain’s moment-to-moment activity. The system tracks sudden shifts or turbulence lets the brain know what it is doing through a brief pause in the music. This real-time feedback acts like a mirror, allowing the brain to notice its own activity and self-correct naturally. NeurOptimal® isn’t telling the brain what to do, it is offering it information it did not have so the brain can decide what to do next.

WHO IS IN CONTROL OF THE TRAINING?

YOUR BRAIN With NeurOptimal®, your brain is always in control of the training. The system doesn’t push or direct your brain to change in any specific way, it simply gives your brain real-time feedback about its own activity. This allows your brain to notice when it’s becoming unstable or inefficient, and self-correct naturally, moment by moment. Because your brain leads the process, the changes that occur are often more gentle, lasting, and perfectly matched to what you actually need.

THE PRACTITIONER In Linear Neurofeedback, the practitioner is in charge of the training process. They interpret your brain map, decide which brainwaves need to be increased or decreased, and set protocols based on that assessment. The system then rewards the brain when it moves in the direction the practitioner has chosen. This means the training is guided by an outside expert, not by the brain’s own moment-to-moment needs. The results and experiences are reliant on the skill & biases of the practitioner.

HOW MUCH TRAINING HAS THE PROGRAMMER OF THE SYSTEM HAD?

25 YEARS OF DEVELOPMENT & MULTIPLE ADVANCED DEGREES The developers of NeurOptimal are Val and Sue Brown.

Dr. Valdeane W. Brown, Ph.D., co-founder of NeurOptimal®, holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a background that spans mathematics, physics, philosophy, computer programming, and mental health. He spent over 25 years teaching Continuing Medical Education courses and is the creator of the Five Phase Model of Neurofeedback. Alongside Dr. Sue Brown, he developed the Period Three Approach, a core algorithm that powers NeurOptimal’s unique non-linear design. Dr. Brown continues to lead the development and research of NeurOptimal® through the Zengar Institute.

Dr. Susan Cheshire Brown, Ph.D., also a Clinical Psychologist, played a central role in co-developing NeurOptimal®. With decades worth of experience in full-time clinical practice and academic teaching, she helped shape the system’s move away from traditional diagnosis-based models.

The system does not require external programming. This is why we can rent the systems out, but Gema does hold Advanced Qualification in NeurOptimal Training, 10 years of personal use and 6 years of professional experience.

36 HR ONLINE COURSE & PRACTICE HOURS & ONLINE QUIZ & BACHELOR DEGREE To operate a Linear Neurofeedback practice, practitioners typically need a bachelor’s degree in an approved healthcare field such as psychology, medicine, counselling, or occupational therapy.

Bachelor’s Degree in a Healthcare Field
36-hour BCIA-accredited course
25 hours of mentoring
10 self-regulation sessions,
100 client sessions
10 case conference presentations
Pass a 100 multiple choice online quiz at at least a 65% pass score to gain BCIA Membership

This means that someone who is trained in another area of the human body can do a 36 Hour online course, practice hours and online quiz and then assess and tell your brain what to do. Please make sure if you are considering Linear Neurofeedback you ask the practitioner about their range of experience because they are in control of telling your brain what to do. .

CAN I USE IT WITHOUT NEEDING AN EXPENSIVE Q.E.E.G?

YOU CAN USE IT ABOUT 5 MINUTES AFTER IT ARRIVES AT YOUR HOME NeurOptimal® works with how the brain naturally operates. The brain is dynamical in nature, meaning it is always changing & learning in response to stimulus. NeurOptimal® simply reflects what the brain is doing in real time back to it. It does not tell the brain what to do.

YOU WILL NEED TO PAY FOR A SEPERATE Q.E.E.G Works with how the brain naturally operates. The brain is dynamical in nature, meaning it is always changing & learning in response to stimulus. NeurOptimal simply reflects what the brain is doing in real time back to it. It does not tell the brain what to do.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I HAVE A FEW THINGS GOING ON?

YES, NEUROPTIMAL MEETS YOU WHERE YOU ARE NeurOptimal® works with how the brain naturally operates. The brain is dynamical in nature, meaning it is always changing & learning in response to stimulus. NeurOptimal® simply reflects what the brain is doing in real time back to it. It does not tell the brain what to do.

TELLS THE BRAIN WHAT TO DO Works with how the brain naturally operates. The brain is dynamical in nature, meaning it is always changing & learning in response to stimulus. NeurOptimal simply reflects what the brain is doing in real time back to it. It does not tell the brain what to do.

CAN I WORK, PLAY OR MULTITASK DURING MY SESSION?

YOU CAN WORK, PLAY OR MULTITASK DURING YOUR SESSION NeurOptimal® works with how the brain naturally operates. The brain is dynamical in nature, meaning it is always changing & learning in response to stimulus. NeurOptimal® simply reflects what the brain is doing in real time back to it. It does not tell the brain what to do.

YOU ARE GENERALLY REQUIRED TO FOCUS ON THE PROCESS OR THE GAME DURING THE SESSION Works with how the brain naturally operates. The brain is dynamical in nature, meaning it is always changing & learning in response to stimulus. NeurOptimal simply reflects what the brain is doing in real time back to it. It does not tell the brain what to do.

CAN I DO THIS FROM HOME, ON HOLIDAYS ETC?

YOU CAN TAKE THE SYSTEM ANY WHERE NeurOptimal® works with how the brain naturally operates. The brain is dynamical in nature, meaning it is always changing & learning in response to stimulus. NeurOptimal® simply reflects what the brain is doing in real time back to it. It does not tell the brain what to do.

YOU ARE GENERALLY REQUIRED TO GO TO AN OFFICE Works with how the brain naturally operates. The brain is dynamical in nature, meaning it is always changing & learning in response to stimulus. NeurOptimal simply reflects what the brain is doing in real time back to it. It does not tell the brain what to do.

WHAT AREAS OF THE BRAIN DOES IT TRAIN?

OBSERVES THE WHOLE OF THE BRAIN NeurOptimal® works with how the brain naturally operates. The brain is dynamical in nature, meaning it is always changing & learning in response to stimulus. NeurOptimal® simply reflects what the brain is doing in real time back to it. It does not tell the brain what to do.

WORKS WITH CERTAIN PARTS OF THE BRAIN Works with how the brain naturally operates. The brain is dynamical in nature, meaning it is always changing & learning in response to stimulus. NeurOptimal simply reflects what the brain is doing in real time back to it. It does not tell the brain what to do.

DO I NEED A FORMAL DIAGNOSIS?

NEUROPTIMAL WORKS WITH WHERE YOU ARE NeurOptimal® works with how the brain naturally operates. The brain is dynamical in nature, meaning it is always changing & learning in response to stimulus. NeurOptimal® simply reflects what the brain is doing in real time back to it. It does not tell the brain what to do.

LINEAR SYSTEMS REQUIRE SOME KIND OF DIAGNOSIS Works with how the brain naturally operates. The brain is dynamical in nature, meaning it is always changing & learning in response to stimulus. NeurOptimal simply reflects what the brain is doing in real time back to it. It does not tell the brain what to do.

IS MY BRAIN BEING INFLUENCED BY THE SYSTEM?

NO, NEUROPTIMAL IS OBSERVING BRAIN ACTIVITY NeurOptimal® works with how the brain naturally operates. The brain is dynamical in nature, meaning it is always changing & learning in response to stimulus. NeurOptimal® simply reflects what the brain is doing in real time back to it. It does not tell the brain what to do.

YES, LINEAR SYSTEMS GIVE THE BRAIN DIRECTION The minimum qualification to practice Linear Neurofeedback is a 3 day course and have 100 hours of observation. This means that someone is permitted to design a training program to ‘tell’ the brain what to do and interpret complex brain scans after completing a 2 Day course