Non-invasive brain training for anxiety, stress, focus, and emotional regulation in Peterborough

EEG neurofeedback therapy is based on the principle of learning through conditioning. The foundations of this type of learning were first described by Ivan Pavlov, who showed that the brain learns and adapts through repetition and feedback.

In neurofeedback, this process is applied in a gentle and practical way. Sensors placed on the scalp read brain activity and translate it into simple visual or audio feedback on a screen. As you watch or listen to this feedback, your brain receives real time information about its current state, such as levels of focus, calm, or stress.

Without conscious effort, the brain begins to recognise which patterns are more supportive and gradually learns to move towards them. Through repetition, this feedback helps the brain strengthen more balanced and regulated patterns, in much the same way that any other skill is learned.

Neurofeedback does not force the brain to change. It supports the brain’s natural ability to learn, adapt, and self regulate through experience.

I use a process called qEEG, Quantitative Electroencephalogram, to better understand how your brain is functioning. This is where most of my work begins, whether neurofeedback therapy is used on its own or as part of a more holistic therapeutic approach.

qEEG involves recording brain activity using sensors placed on the scalp. These sensors read the brain’s electrical signals and create a detailed picture of how different areas of the brain are working. This helps me see patterns that are not always visible through conversation alone.

For example, if someone feels constantly stressed, easily irritated, or struggles with anger and emotional control, a QEEG may show increased high frequency brain activity in certain areas of the brain. This can indicate that the brain is spending a lot of time in a highly activated state, which makes it genuinely difficult to slow down, relax, or respond calmly.

Understanding this allows the work to be more precise. Alongside exploring emotional and life stressors, we can also support the brain directly. Depending on the person, this may involve neurofeedback, relaxation and regulation practices, meditation, or other supportive techniques aimed at helping the brain settle and function more smoothly.

This way of working means we are not only addressing what is causing stress or emotional difficulty, but also supporting the brain itself, creating conditions for better regulation, clarity, and long term change.

The brain and the mind are closely connected, but they are not the same thing.

The brain is a biological organ. It produces electrical activity, forms neural connections, and creates patterns that influence how we respond to the world. These patterns shape habits, emotional reactions, levels of stress, focus, and regulation. In neurofeedback, the work is focused directly on the brain and how these patterns function

The mind relates to how we experience life through thoughts, beliefs, meaning, memories, and interpretation. This is explored through talking therapy, reflection, and emotional processing.

Although brain and mind cannot truly be separated, they can be approached from different angles. By working with the brain through neurofeedback and with the mind through therapy, it becomes possible to support change at multiple levels. Together, this helps create greater awareness, flexibility, and balance in how a person experiences themselves and the world.

GSR, or Galvanic Skin Response, is a way of working with the body’s natural reactions to stress, emotion, and relaxation. It measures small changes in the skin’s electrical activity, which are influenced by sweat gland activity in the fingers and palms. When we experience stress, tension, or emotional arousal, the skin becomes a better conductor of electricity, even if we are not consciously aware of it.

During a GSR session, sensors are placed on the fingers to track these changes in real time. The feedback shows how the body is responding moment by moment. What is often surprising for people is that they may believe they are relaxed, while their body shows signs of increased arousal or tension. This does not mean anything is wrong. It simply highlights how disconnected we can sometimes be from our bodily signals.

Many people are used to keeping their mind busy through screens, reading, music, or constant activity. While this can feel calming, it does not always allow the body to truly relax. GSR helps bring attention back to physical sensations and teaches awareness of what is actually happening in the body rather than what we think should be happening.

Over time, clients begin to recognise subtle signals such as tension, activation, or settling. With guidance, they learn how to consciously support relaxation and regulation in the body. GSR can be used as part of neurofeedback therapy or as part of talking therapy, for example at the beginning of a session, to support grounding, body awareness, and a calmer nervous system.