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Neurofeedback in Saint Louis, MO
Train your brain for calm, focus, and emotional resilience conveniently and affordably at home
Provided by Emma Donovan, MA, LPC, LCPC, licensed mental health clinician integrating clinical expertise with brain training technology.
Intro to Neurofeedback
Many people know they feel scattered, stressed, or stuck in old patterns, even if they have tried therapy or other methods of personal growth and relaxation before.
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The good news is that your brain can learn new patterns, so it can reach a state of calm, focus, and emotional regulation as a baseline, without the need for talk therapy.
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Neurofeedback is a gentle, non-invasive form of brain training that helps your nervous system practice healthier rhythms. Over time, this can support calmer moods, clearer thinking, better sleep, and a greater sense of internal steadiness.
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At Alternative Therapy STL in St. Louis, MO, I integrate neurofeedback with a holistic, trauma-informed, mind-body approach so your brain training matches your unique situation and integrates with the rest of your healing work.
What Is Neurofeedback?
Neurofeedback, sometimes called EEG biofeedback, uses real-time measurements of your brainwave activity to help your nervous system learn healthier patterns.
Using technology, sensors read your brainwave activity and give your brain real-time feedback through sound, images, or small changes in what you see and hear. Your nervous system learns from this feedback and gradually spends more time in healthier patterns.
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There are:
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No shocks
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No invasive procedures
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No “forcing” your brain to do anything
Instead, neurofeedback gives your brain information. Your brain uses that information to practice regulation, the same way your muscles use weight or resistance to get stronger.
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While many neurofeedback providers require you to come in-person multiple times per week to train, at Alternative Therapy STL, I offer wearable, app-supported neurofeedback that can be integrated into a busy life. I pair technology with clinical judgment, nervous system education, and a holistic perspective.
How Neurofeedback Works
Here is what the process usually looks like:
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1. Initial consult and intake: We talk about your history, current concerns, medications, sleep, stress, and overall health. We clarify what you hope will feel different.
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2. Brain-based assessment: You wear a small headset. Sensors read your brainwave activity while you sit quietly, and we gather information about how your brain tends to function at rest and during simple tasks.
3. Individualized training plan: Based on your goals and the assessment, I choose training targets that support better regulation. We decide together how often you will train and how this fits with other therapies or wellness practices.
4. Regular training sessions: You complete short training sessions with the headset and app. When your brain moves toward the desired pattern, you receive positive feedback. Over time, your nervous system learns what “regulated” feels like and returns there more easily.
5. Ongoing review and adjustment: We periodically review how you are feeling, how often you are training, and what your data shows. Training targets can be adjusted as your system stabilizes.
Neurofeedback can be part of an integrative mental health recovery plan, as a wellness service, or standalone. It supports your nervous system in learning new ways to function.
What Can Neurofeedback Support You With?
People often seek neurofeedback when they feel like talking, insight, or coping skills have helped, but have not fully shifted what the body and brain are doing.
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Neurofeedback’s EEG biofeedback and brainwave training help the nervous system shift toward more regulated rhythms that support outcomes such as:
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Feeling less chronically anxious or “wired”
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Reducing overthinking, rumination, and OCD
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Improving focus, attention, and follow-through
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Supporting emotional regulation and flexibility
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Easing sleep onset or middle-of-the-night waking
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Supporting trauma recovery and nervous system regulation
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Feeling more present in the body
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Improving stress resilience and recovery after difficult days
Neurofeedback is not a substitute for medical care, crisis support, or psychiatric stabilization. It is often most helpful as part of a broader holistic plan that may include therapy, nervous system work, sleep and nutrition support, movement, and other lifestyle changes.
Why Clients Choose Neurofeedback at Alternative Therapy STL
My approach is tailored to people who want depth, context, and a holistic lens.
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What is different about my approach:
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Clinically grounded neurofeedback: You are working with a licensed therapist who understands trauma, attachment, parts work, and somatic processes, not only technology.
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Holistic and functional perspective: I consider sleep, stress, nutrition, hormones, environment, and life context. Brain training is one piece of a whole system.
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Paced for sensitive nervous systems: Some people do best with slower, gentler training. We adjust so your system is learning rather than overwhelmed.
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Educational and collaborative: You learn what we are training and why. You are involved in decisions about your protocol and pacing.
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Aligned with deeper work: Neurofeedback can support and deepen other therapies such as somatic work, Depth Hypnosis, parts work, or spiritual integration by giving the nervous system a more stable base.
Is Neurofeedback Right for You?
You might be a good fit for neurofeedback if:
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You feel “stuck” at a certain level of progress in therapy
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Your body stays activated even when you understand your patterns
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You are motivated to train consistently for 15-25 minute sessions a few times per week for several months
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You want to change nervous system and brain patterns directly, not just do talk therapy
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You are comfortable with technology or willing to learn
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You want changes without having to talk about your problems a lot. Insight has only gotten you so far
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It may not be the right starting point if:
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You are in acute crisis or need intensive stabilization
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You are unable to commit to regular training over several months
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You are looking for a quick, one-time fix in one session
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If you are unsure, we can explore this together during a consult and create a customized plan for you that makes sense for your goals and needs.
Investment & Financial Value
Neurofeedback is an investment in your brain and nervous system, and it's important to understand both the cost and value.
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Many traditional neurofeedback clinics structure training as individual sessions that cost $150 to $200 per session, often three times per week. That can easily reach $1,800 to $2,400 per month.
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My model is designed to be more sustainable and accessible:
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You do not need to commit to a full training package up front. You simply begin with a $395 brain mapping assessment, and we will go over your results and a plan. From there, you can decide whether training is right for you
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Training is usually offered as a monthly package, often for around $500 per month. This includes personalized plans, periodic assessments, protocol updates, and check-in sessions with me
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Your package can include assessment, protocol design, equipment access, data monitoring, and brief check-ins
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You train multiple times per week without paying a full therapy rate for each round of brain practice
This structure gives your brain the repetition it needs without requiring you to come into the office three times each week at full fee.
This ends up saving you $1300 to $1900 per month, and it is more convenient!
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Specific pricing can vary depending on whether you are also seeing me for psychotherapy. During your consult we will talk through the numbers clearly and you will know exactly what to expect before you begin. Neurofeedback is typically a private pay service. Some clients use out-of-network benefits and submit superbills for partial reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan. Please discuss this with me directly.
What to Expect When You Work With Me
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Connection and clarity: We begin with a thorough conversation about your history, symptoms, life context, and goals.
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Assessment and recommendations: I share what I see, how neurofeedback might fit, and any other holistic supports that could help.
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Training period: Most people plan on at least 3 months of consistent training to evaluate early effects, with deeper, more stable changes often unfolding over 3 to 6 months or more.
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Integration: We pay attention to what changes in your daily life. You are always in charge of whether to continue, pause, or shift focus.
Results vary for each person. Neurofeedback is a learning process, and change happems over time. Many people describe subtle shifts at first, such as sleeping a bit more deeply, feeling less “on edge,” or recovering more quickly after stress. Over time, these shifts can accumulate into lasting change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is neurofeedback safe?
Neurofeedback uses sensors that read your brainwaves. Nothing is put into your brain. The feedback is delivered through graphics, music, or subtle changes in what you see and hear. Side effects are usually mild and temporary, such as brief fatigue or feeling “spacey” after a session. Protocols can be adjusted if you feel over-activated.
Do I need to have a mental health diagnosis to do neurofeedback?
No. Neurofeedback can be offered as an integrative wellness service for nervous system resilience and brain optimization. It can also be conducted as part of psychotherapy and may be included as part of an overall treatment plan. We will talk together to make sense of how it fits into your overall plan.
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Can I do neurofeedback if I am already in therapy or taking medication?
Often yes. Many people use neurofeedback alongside therapy and medication as part of a broader plan. We will talk about your current providers and make sure your care is coordinated. I may recommend that you keep your prescriber informed as your nervous system changes.​
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Does insurance cover neurofeedback?
I offer neurofeedback as a private pay service and do not bill insurance for it. Some clients use HSA or FSA funds, or use their Out of Network insurance benefits, although you would need to confirm details with your plan.
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Is this the same as using meditation apps on my phone?
There are many great tools for relaxation and mindfulness. Neurofeedback is different because it gives your brain real-time information about its own electrical activity. Your training plan is tailored to your nervous system and goals, and the technology responds instantly to your brainwaves. This is not the case with mindfulness apps.
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How often do I need neurofeedback sessions?
Most people train 3–4 times per week for best results. Because I use wearable neurofeedback with a monthly structure, you are not paying per session, which makes consistency more accessible and affordable. Early shifts may show up within 8–12 sessions, and deeper, more stable changes often build over 3–6 months of training. We will decide your pacing together based on your goals, sensitivity level, and how your nervous system responds.
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What does neurofeedback feel like?
Most people describe neurofeedback as calming, subtle, or gently focusing. There is no electrical stimulation going into your brain; sensors only read activity. Occasionally people feel brief fatigue or “spacy” sensations afterward, especially in the beginning, which usually settles as the nervous system adapts. The goal is learning and regulation, not force or intensity.
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Can neurofeedback help with anxiety, trauma symptoms, or attention/focus?
Many clients seeking support for anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, or attention challenges find neurofeedback helpful as part of a broader treatment plan. Because I am an LPC, neurofeedback can be integrated into psychotherapy with diagnosis and clinical goals when appropriate. Neurofeedback is not a replacement for crisis care, medical treatment, or required higher levels of support, but it can strengthen regulation and resilience alongside other approaches.​
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What equipment do I need?
I provide the wearable headset, equipment, and training access. You will need a smartphone or tablet and a stable internet connection. I guide you through setup and check-ins so you’re not left alone trying to figure things out.
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What is brain mapping (QEEG) and how does it relate to neurofeedback?
Brain mapping, also called quantitative EEG (qEEG), is a way of measuring and analyzing your brain’s electrical activity or brainwave patterns in a detailed way. A qEEG recording reads and visualizes brainwaves so we can understand patterns of activation and regulation before training begins. Some neurofeedback programs use qEEG to inform personalized training plans, because it helps identify which frequencies or patterns might be associated with your specific goals. In my practice, we may use information from your assessment and your training data to guide the targets in your EEG biofeedback/brainwave training plan over time.
Neurofeedback in St. Louis, Missouri
My office is located in St. Louis, Missouri, and I work primarily with adults who value depth, growth, transformation, and a holistic understanding of mind and body.
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If you live in Saint Louis, or anywhere in Missouri or Illinois, and are curious about neurofeedback for anxiety, focus, trauma recovery, or general nervous system support, we can explore what is possible together.
Ready To Explore Neurofeedback?
If this speaks to you, the next step is simple. Schedule a consultation to talk through your goals and questions, and ask about neurofeedback packages and what a plan would look like for you. ​
Your nervous system has a remarkable capacity to learn and adapt. Neurofeedback gives it a structured way to practice.
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Book a spot on my calendar easily using the button below.