--- title: 5 Ways to Boost the Effectiveness of Neurofeedback Training for a Family description: The advanced neurofeedback device by NeurOptimal optimizes brain function and performance - a workout for the brain, a boost for your brain. image: https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images%20%282019%29/family-together.jpg --- Neurofeedback for Kids # 5 Ways to Boost the Effectiveness of Neurofeedback Training for a Family The advanced neurofeedback device by NeurOptimal optimizes brain function and performance - a workout for the brain, a boost for your brain. [ Natalie Baker, LMHC ](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/author/natalie-baker-lmhc) Apr 19, 2015 --- Here are some useful tips compiled from years of providing neurofeedback for children and families.  Our trainers are always working to support families to get the most out of brain training.  After 10 years the top tip is to make a schedule and stick to it!  When renting a home system and running session themselves, the number one reason families don't meet their goals, whether it is improved school performance, or emotional re-regulation, is because they don't do the sessions!   ## **How best to help a child benefit from neurofeedback?  ** **![home-neurofeedback-setup-child](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/hs-fs/hubfs/At_Home_Photos/home-neurofeedback-setup-child.jpg?width=800&name=home-neurofeedback-setup-child.jpg)** ### **1. Two is better than one!  A parent training boost the child's training.** We strongly recommend that a parent also train if they are renting a machine primarily for their child’s issues.  Hands down, we have most satisfied customers when this is the case.   Why?  Your child’s brain/central nervous system (CNS), is learning to assess current needs from gathering information in the here-and-now, rather than using habitual information/neural pathways.  Some common brain habits we see in children are using their scanning, impulsive brain when it's time to focus, or getting stuck in worry or nervousness when there is no present danger.    We call these maladaptive brain responses that are based on using habitual information/neural pathways to function not realizing that those responses are not appropriate to the present task.  For example, why should the brain produce a fear state when there is no threat?  A major shift through neurofeedback training is your child’s brain learns to be in a state called regulation:  calm, alert, and open to the here-and-now, and only become active only when their is an event that needs action. This process of learning is sped up when a primary caregiver’s brain is also learning from doing NeurOptimal® sessions, the same process of being regulated–calm, centered, open.  Just like you see in pack animal behaviors, children’s brains tune themselves to their caregivers’ brains.  If the parent is anxious, the child will also become anxious.  If the parent becomes calm the child’s brain will also shift, like tuning forks resonating with each other.   ![Beautiful girl with a dog - isolated over a white background](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Beautiful%20girl%20with%20a%20dog%20-%20isolated%20over%20a%20white%20background.jpeg?width=300&name=Beautiful%20girl%20with%20a%20dog%20-%20isolated%20over%20a%20white%20background.jpeg)A terrific example of this process of attunement is to watch *The Dog Whisperer* on National Geographic.  In the episodes you will see examples of how Cesar (the alpha dog trainer) who is “calm assertive”, i.e. has a regulated CNS, works with an anxious/fearful/aggressive dog through the natural attunement process where a beta dog’s CNS aligns with an alpha’s CNS. We are pack animals and betas follow the alpha. Children follow their parents.  When an “alpha” member (hopefully you read: parent) trains it helps the “beta” brains and boosts the effectiveness of their training. Another metaphor is tuning forks. Think of tuning forks that are close together. They will resonate at the same pitch. Mom and Dad’s nervous systems are a powerful ‘tuning fork’ for kids. If their brains train and come into regulation—that calm, focused, playful ‘pitch’—it is much easier for the child’s nervous system to resonate at that pitch. ******![braintraining-neuroptimal-home-system.jpg](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Instagram%20Photos/braintraining-neuroptimal-home-system.jpg?width=600&name=braintraining-neuroptimal-home-system.jpg)****** ### **2. Prioritize and Schedule your neurofeedback sessions** Our family schedules are often overloaded and while we may want to add another thing, actually making it happen can prove harder than imagined.    The most common challenge our family renters express when they return their home rental is:  “I loved it. I just wish we had trained more!” Like anything we want to accomplish in our busy lives: if it’s not on the schedule it won’t happen. Make it a realistic schedule before you start your rental with blocks a few times a week when you can count on 45 minutes of free time.  The good news is that with NeurOptimal®'s unique design, the training cues are given through auditory feedback.  And the part of the brain that registers and responds to those cues is the automatic (unconscious) brain.  So trainees can be doing other things while the training is occurring and stil have the best results possible.   ![Neurofeedback child](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NeurofeedbackTraining_January2019/Images/NFT-child-neurofeedback.png?width=500&name=NFT-child-neurofeedback.png)So long as the activity does not require a lot of movement (so head or body movements are fine) so that the sensors stay fixed on the head and ears.  Activities like reading, playing a game on a separate device with the volume off, or my daughter's favorite when she was young, putting together Lego pieces.   **3. Make training a reward** The second biggest challenge families face is getting their child (or partner's) cooperation.  Parents have the easiest time making the sessions a breeze when they make neurofeedback a rewarding time, rather than another chore.  We've even had parents pay their children to have their sessions making it a 'win/win'.  Bill, a successful entrepreneur, who rented a home neurofeedback system, never missed a session. He told himself that during his training time he didn’t have to accomplish anything else. It became the two times during the week when he truly let himself relax. A gift to his brain and his go-getter mind!  He started with training himself for the first fews weeks to get a hang of it.  Then he offered it to his son in a way he knew his son would enjoy.  It would be time that they could play Battleship together a few times a week.  Think about your own child and what would make the training schedule an enjoyable experience for him or her.  Remember the brain training works only if the sessions happen!   ## **![sleep-better.png-576490-edited.jpg](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-files/sleep-better.png-576490-edited.jpg?width=300&name=sleep-better.png-576490-edited.jpg)** ### **4. Listen to your body and get sleep** After ten sessions a mom who was training said to me, “Natalie, since starting I’m noticing how exhausted my body is. All I want to do is sleep!” This observation is common and some people try to push through the exhaustion and maintain their 6 hours of sleep a night, while others yield and get more rest. Remember: a main purpose of sleep is to give the brain time to remove toxins that have built up throughout the day. Your brain is asking for what it needs to optimize it’s functioning. Please listen!  One strategy is to go to bed closer to when your children go to sleep.   [![Get Our Free E-booklet About Good Sleep Practices](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2143193/3ae06be9-e6fb-425f-b539-08b3213431a4.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2143193/3ae06be9-e6fb-425f-b539-08b3213431a4) ## **![what foods to eat for your brain](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-files/nutrients-diet-for-brain-photo-by-Katie-Smith-for-unsplash.jpg?width=493&name=nutrients-diet-for-brain-photo-by-Katie-Smith-for-unsplash.jpg)** ### **5. Get the toxins out of your life and replace them with nutrients** The brain is only as effective as the building blocks it has to build and repair its roads and highways. One main toxin in our lives is sugar. The vitamin we’re often depleted in is Vitamin D—essential for our cheerful disposition. A trained brain becomes a better communicator of its needs. Pay attention you may have thoughts like: maybe I should do that cleanse I was thinking about. Or I should get a physical and check on my vitamin levels. A great place to start is on [Dr. Hymen’s website](https://drhyman.com/). Read also [our blog post about ](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/what-foods-are-good-and-bad-for-brain)[what foods to eat and avoid for your brain](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/what-foods-are-good-and-bad-for-brain). ### **Interested in Neurofeedback Training for your family?** ### **![zengar-neuroptimal-home-training-system](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Equipment%20/zengar-home-trainer-1.jpeg?width=345&name=zengar-home-trainer-1.jpeg) ** At Neurofeedback Training Co. we provide three kind of training options: - **Schedule a session at one of our clinic locations: **[NYC](https://www.neurofeedbacktraining.com/nyc), [LA & Pasadena](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/pasadena), or [Boulder](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/special-offer-on-neurofeedback-training-in-boulder-colorado). Try-out offers available! - **[Rent](https://www.neurofeedbacktraining.com/rent) an advanced home system: **Same effective neurofeedback system as in our clinics. Rent month by month and extend as long as you wish! Sessions can be as low as $40 per session or more - **[Buy](https://www.neurofeedbacktraining.com/purchase) a home unit:** Natalie Baker is also a sales rep. for Zengar, the maker of the NeurOptimal Neurofeedback System. She can guide you which neurofeedback machine to get, for personal or professional use.   [Neurofeedback for Kids](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/topic/neurofeedback-for-kids) [stress](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/topic/stress) [neurofeedback tips](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/topic/neurofeedback-tips) [anxiety performance](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/topic/anxiety-performance)   ## By Natalie N. Baker, MA, LMHC Licensed Psychotherapist, NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback Trainer, Meditation Teacher **Natalie Baker has over 25 years of experience** as a licensed psychotherapist and has been a **NeurOptimal® neurofeedback trainer since 2011**. She is the founder of **Neurofeedback Training Co.**, which offers in-person sessions and runs the **largest nationwide home rental program** for NeurOptimal systems. Natalie also teaches meditation and Buddhist psychology and specializes in working with **anxiety, stress, ADHD,** and **trauma**.   ## Similar posts Neurofeedback for Kids ### [Enhancing Focus and Attention with Neurofeedback for Individuals Living with ADHD](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/adhd-brain-training-with-neuroptimal-neurofeedback) Discover how NeurOptimal neurofeedback supports focus, attention, and emotional balance for individuals with brain training for ADHD. Train your... Natalie Baker, LMHC May 8, 2025 Neurofeedback for Kids ### [Neurofeedback Therapy Explained: What Is Neurofeedback & How Brain Training Works](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/neurofeedback-therapy-explained-what-is-neurofeedback-how-brain-training-works) Discover how neurofeedback therapy and brain mapping optimize brain function. Learn what neurofeedback is, how EEG neurofeedback works, and if it... Natalie Baker, LMHC Oct 17, 2025 brain training ### [NeurOptimal® Neurofeedback Review: What I Discovered](https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/neuroptimal-neurofeedback-review-training-my-brain-and-others) Read this Neuroptimal neurofeedback review to learn how it helped train the author's brain and others. Start optimizing your brain today! Alison Pepper, LCSW Jan 16, 2018 ### Get notified on new blogs Be the first to know about new blogs ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Natalie Baker, LMHC", "url" : "https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/author/natalie-baker-lmhc" }, "dateModified" : "2022-07-23T11:12:19.143Z", "datePublished" : "2015-04-19T14:59:47.000Z", "headline" : "5 Ways to Boost the Effectiveness of Neurofeedback Training for a Family", "image" : [ "https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images%20%282019%29/family-together.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/case-studies/5-ways-to-boost-the-effectiveness-of-neurofeedback-training-for-a-family", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.neurofeedbacktraining.com/hubfs/Neurofeedback%20Training%20Co%20-logo-horizontal-final.svg" }, "name" : "Neurofeedback Training Co" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : [ "LocalBusiness", "Organization" ], "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "New York", "addressRegion" : "NY", "postalCode" : "10003", "streetAddress" : "32 Union Square East, S.1017" }, "contactPoint" : { "@type" : "ContactPoint", "areaServed" : "New York", "availableLanguage" : "English", "contactType" : "Customer Service", "telephone" : "+13478355408" }, "description" : "Neurofeedback Training offers professional neurofeedback services designed to improve mental health and cognitive performance. Located in New York, we provide personalized training sessions tailored to meet individual needs. Our services ensure that our clients receive the highest quality care and support. For those who prefer the convenience of home-based therapy, we offer home neurofeedback therapy options. This allows clients to benefit from neurofeedback training in the comfort of their own homes, making it easier to integrate into their daily routines. Our home neurofeedback systems are user-friendly and come with comprehensive support to ensure effective use. Understanding the costs associated with neurofeedback is crucial for making informed decisions. We provide detailed information on neurofeedback prices, neurofeedback equipment costs, and the various neurofeedback certification programs available. Our goal is to offer transparent pricing and flexible options to accommodate different budgets and needs. Our neurofeedback services in New York are designed to cater to a diverse clientele. Whether you are looking for neurofeedback therapy in NYC, neurofeedback services of New York, or simply searching for New York neurofeedback options, we have you covered. Our experienced practitioners are dedicated to providing top-notch care and support. For clinicians interested in offering neurofeedback services, we provide a range of neurofeedback machines for sale. These machines are designed to meet the highest standards of quality and reliability. Additionally, we offer neurofeedback therapy in NYC to help clinicians understand the practical applications of these machines. In addition to our New York location, we also offer biofeedback services in Denver. Our neurofeedback services in Denver and neurofeedback in Denver, CO are tailored to meet the needs of the local community. We provide comprehensive training and support to ensure the best outcomes for our clients. For those looking to purchase neurofeedback equipment, we offer a variety of options, including the NeurOptimal system. Whether you are searching for NeurOptimal New York, neurofeedback machines, or information on neurofeedback machine costs, we provide detailed information and support to help you make the best choice. Our professional neurofeedback equipment is designed to deliver reliable and effective results. We offer a range of neurofeedback certification training programs to help practitioners enhance their skills and knowledge. Our courses include EEG biofeedback, neurofeedback courses, and EEG biofeedback courses. These programs are designed to provide comprehensive training and certification, ensuring that practitioners are well-equipped to offer high-quality neurofeedback services. Our specialized programs include neurofeedback for kids, brain training for stroke recovery, and neurofeedback for concussion. These programs are designed to address specific needs and provide targeted support to help clients achieve their goals. Our neurofeedback trainer courses are also available for those interested in becoming certified trainers. At Neurofeedback Training, we are committed to providing the highest quality neurofeedback services. Our team of experienced practitioners is dedicated to helping clients improve their mental health and cognitive performance. We use state-of-the-art equipment and evidence-based techniques to deliver effective and reliable results. Our services are designed to be flexible and accessible, with options for both in-office and home-based therapy. We offer transparent pricing and a range of certification programs to meet the needs of both clients and practitioners. Whether you are looking for neurofeedback services in New York, Denver, or beyond, we are here to help. If you are interested in learning more about our neurofeedback services or would like to schedule a consultation, please visit our website at Neurofeedback Training. Our team is here to answer any questions you may have and provide the support you need to achieve your goals.", "image" : "https://www.neurofeedbacktraining.com/hubfs/who%20is%20it%20for%20banner%202(3).png", "logo" : "https://www.neurofeedbacktraining.com/hubfs/LOGO/Neurofeedback%20Training%20Co%20-logo-horizontal-final.svg", "name" : "Neurofeedback Training", "priceRange" : "$150 to $10,995", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/NeurofeedbackNY/", "https://x.com/neurofeedbackny", "https://www.instagram.com/neurofeedbacktrainingco/", "https://www.youtube.com/@Neurofeedbacktraining", "https://www.pinterest.com/neurofeedbacktraining/" ], "telephone" : "+13478355408", "url" : "https://www.neurofeedbacktraining.com" } ```