My background is a fully qualified teacher, SENCO, Specialist educator for autism and ADHD with a master’s degree in Autism. I completed my clinical training for ADOS-2/3DI and ACIA and have worked within MDT settings for clinical diagnostics for the past 7 years.

I am the founder of Sensational Minds Ltd, a neurodevelopmental assessment service and post diagnostic support service for children, young people and adults. When I was first introduced to neurofeedback therapy, I was openly sceptical. My background is in education with strong alignment to clinical practice and my work has always focused on robust diagnostics and evidence informed post diagnostic support for neurodivergent children and young people. I was cautious about interventions that sit outside formal UK clinical guidelines.

I chose however to approach this with curiosity rather than dismissal. I spent time reviewing the available research and case studies and engaged in detailed discussions with Zoe to better understand both the theoretical basis and practical application of neurofeedback. I wanted to explore whether this approach could offer meaningful support for families alongside established strategies.

Through direct observation, I have since witnessed significant and sustained changes in two young people who engaged in twenty neurofeedback sessions. One child in particular I would like to reference, who previously presented with persistent echolalia, repeated questioning, attention regulation difficulties, nocturnal enuresis and a high level of adult dependence has shown marked progress.

After 20 sessions he was able to listen to others’ responses, initiate greetings, independently engage in shared play with clear enjoyment and showed a noticeable reduction in bedwetting. These changes were meaningful and clearly observable.

Equally, significant has been the impact on the family system. A parent who I know well, moved from a position of understandable hypervigilance, to feeling confident enough for her child to attend playdates and eat meals with peers. That shift in parental wellbeing and trust is profound. Whilst it is also important to consider that this child has also benefited from an EHCP and a highly supportive family network with good academic support and intervention, I believe neurofeedback has played a substantial role when used collaboratively with other supports.

I do not claim to fully understand every aspect of neurofeedback therapy. What I do know is that I have reviewed credible literature including studies relating to Tourette’s trauma and PTSD and I have now witnessed meaningful change firsthand for children who have either diagnosed or undiagnosed neurodivergent needs.

Observing a child begin to communicate in more purposeful connected ways and seeing a parent feel calm and supported within a group setting has been genuinely powerful. It is my firm position that clinical understanding, neurodivergent informed practice and high quality post diagnostic support remain essential.

At the same time, I believe we have a responsibility to remain open to approaches that may enhance outcomes even where they are not yet formally embedded within UK guidance.

There is extensive research emerging internationally particularly in the United States and this observational journey has significantly broadened my own perspective. I view neurofeedback not as a replacement but as a potential complementary intervention and I respect the care integrity and reflective practice that Zoe brings to this work.

Ultimately, if an approach supports a child to thrive and a family to feel more secure it deserves thoughtful consideration.

Rhiann, CEO & Founder, Sensational Minds

BA Hons (Primary Education) with Initial Teacher Training, QTS, NASENCO, Masters in Autism, ADOS-2, 3Di, ACIA Clinically Trained.

There is neurofeedback and there is neurofeedback.

Anna offers the most safe of places for a person who is feeling vulnerable to heal.

She listens carefully to what you need, digs deeper to understand the root cause of your symptoms so she can give you the best possible service.

I was really struggling and desperate if honest. Anna changed the quality of my life and I am forever eternally grateful. She knows her stuff and she is great at what she does. I’m glad I met her because I am not sure I’d be around otherwise:

Sophie

“My experience of neurofeedback has been that it is a subtle but powerful tool that opened up new possibilities emotionally and psychologically for me and has really supported my therapeutic process.

I felt heard and supported by the staff at BrainTrain UK. I particularly appreciated the fact that they were willing to be flexible at a point where I was still unsure about the benefits and they didn’t try to push me to continue – but I’m glad I did!"

Wow! Our son has now had 20 sessions and is showing noticeable improvements in all of the key areas we had asked to focus on.

These improvements are recognised by us and our family but also by people who do not know us as well which really demonstrates how brilliant this therapy is. Our son is now also dry through the night which I thought would be a struggle for us for years to come.

I’m forever grateful that we have been on this journey with Zoe, she’s a real gem of a person and guides you through everything with such patience and generosity of spirit.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you

Laura D

A 10-year-old boy left paralysed after surgery has had pioneering treatment to help repair the damage.

Mikolaj Krasnodebski was born completely deaf and his condition was made worse when an operation aiming to correct his hearing resulted in a complication which led to facial paralysis at the age of five.

Now a brain training programme that uses technology originally discovered by Nasa has changed his life, according to mother Aggie.

The 42-year-old said: “Being deaf had a huge impact on Mikolaj’s life, particularly his self-confidence.

“He would find it hard to concentrate and he couldn’t function at school or communicate with his peers.

“He used to feel so stupid and would cry a lot and say ‘I can’t do it, I’m too stupid’.”

Mrs Krasnodebska, who lives in Queen’s Road, said the situation was heartbreaking and she began desperately researching a method called neurofeedback, and came across BrainTrainUK.

The training provides a non-invasive treatment that uses neurofeedback technology, which was originally discovered by Nasa in the 1960s, to retrain the brain.

Sometimes referred to as “brain training technology”, the programme requires participants to wear electrodes on their head to monitor brainwaves.

This allows practitioners to send information back to the brain to stimulate learning using specially designed video games, or neurofeedback-enabled videos.

Mikolaj has since had hearing aids implanted in both ears, meaning he can hear as much as others his age.

Mrs Krasnodebska said the impact of the programme was life-changing.

She added: “Mikolaj’s concentration increased from three minutes to 15 minutes, which had a huge impact on his confidence and self-belief.

“While there is still a big gap in his education, he has improved so much and is finally catching up.

“The most important thing is he doesn’t feel stupid anymore.”

Mikolaj attends Central Primary with his younger brother and said rather than dreading going to school he now loves it.

Mrs Krasnodebska added: “Mikolaj has been through so much.

“To be born without hearing was awful, but then to have had surgery go wrong it really impacted the whole family.

“Now not only can he hear but he is finally getting back to speed with his peers.

“We are so proud.”

BrainTrainUK was launched in 2013 and uses a form of neurofeedback called infra low frequency training to stimulate learning in the core nervous system and maximise brain performance through neuroplasticity.

© 2016 Watford Observer

I have had sessions of Neurofeedback with Zoe. Following an accumulation of stress & PTSD. My body & mind kind of shutdown, and froze. Neuro-feedback has stabilised and balanced in the first instance and within a few sessions I felt much calmer. I have noticed significant differences in reactions and responses since neurofeedback sessions. I feel much more grounded and clearer in mind. I am extremely grateful for the sessions & would highly recommend.

Chloe, Essex