What is the Difference Between Biofeedback & Neurofeedback?
Biofeedback trains the autonomic nervous system using heart rate variability, skin temperature, skin conductance, and electromyography. These are all modalities that measure the body’s responses to stress.
Neurofeedback trains the central nervous system using electroencephalograph (EEG) sensors to help individuals manipulate brain wave activity.
Who is eligible for Biofeedback? Who is eligible for Neurofeedback?
Approximately 90% of the conditions we seek help from our Primary Care Physician for are stress-related. Therefore, anyone who is experiencing a stress-response and who has the cognitive ability to participate within the sessions, makes a good candidate for biofeedback & neurofeedback training. For specific conditions and diagnoses worked with here at Capital Biofeedback, Inc., please scroll above to the Symptom Resolution section located under Our Therapy.
Does insurance cover Biofeedback? Does insurance cover Neurofeedback?
YES! Biofeedback & Neurofeedback are TOOLS used in conjunction with therapy. Dr. Tami Maes Fragedakis is a Licensed Professional Counselor and works within the scope of her license. The training individuals engage in are part of a therapeutic process. Therefore, sessions are coded accordingly under the counseling license.
If you are seeking treatment from another provider who does NOT have a license to treat mental health conditions, it will be very difficult to be reimbursed by insurance for services that are rendered for mental health diagnosis.
What insurances are accepted?
Dr. Fragedakis is paneled by BCBS. Reimbursement, co-pays and fees in which the individual is responsible for will be determined based on your plan.
How much are sessions if I do not have BCBS?
If you do not have BCBS, you pay out of pocket ($130/session). If you would like to file with your insurance, I will generate a claim form for you. You will need to file this and your insurance company will reimburse you directly according to your plan. Typically you will need to meet an out-of-network deductible. Each time you pay, you will chip away at this deductible. Reimbursement from your insurance will be made to you depending on your plan.
Is the qEEG reimbursable by insurance?
There are 2 separate charges to generate a qEEG. The first one is to record the data. This takes approximately an hour and is $130. This fee may be reimbursed or even paid for by insurance depending on the plan. The fee to quantify your QEEG and provide a brain map is $300 and insurance does not cover this.
How many sessions are required?
Participants are educated on their physiology and the symptoms experiences that directly impact this physiology. During training, individuals learn techniques to control and manipulate this physiology thus changing symptoms experienced. Dr. Fragedakis takes a therapeutic approach to training. Therefore, all training sessions include a processing component, allowing the participant to relate the training to real life experiences and symptoms.
The amount of sessions required is based on the individual and what they are experiencing and how they can gain the skills and move through the protocol. While all protocols are tailored for the individual, it is possible for individuals to experience changes within 8-12 sessions, meeting 1x/a week. After this time, training protocols are re-evaluated and baselines are collected again to determine if and approximately how many additional sessions may be needed. You may benefit from meeting every other week for a while, or once a month. Once skills are generalized we will not have to continue training. Follow-up sessions every few months may occur.
How long are sessions in duration?
Each session is 50 minutes in length.
Do you offer package deals?
I do not offer package deals because I do not exactly know, nor can I predict, how many sessions you will need. Each treatment plan is individually based, therefore we will work through your own treatment plan. In addition, with my counseling license, I believe a package deal may be seen as unethical, as well as insurance reimbursement plans.
What can I expect?
The first session consists of an initial interview. Once this is completed, baselines will be administered. If the interview is lengthy, baselines will be administered at the next session. If you are seeking neurofeedback, a qEEG will be scheduled as a separate baseline to be administered. This will allow for the appropriate time needed to record the brain map.
Training sessions will begin as soon as baselines are collected.
Each session consists of talk therapy in conjunction with training. Talk therapy includes processing lived experiences from the past/present and how these change/influence physiology. Then each participant is provided time to train in each session, typically 20-30 minutes. Time is allotted to process the training experience as well and how the training experience parallels with lived experiences. Goals are set each week.
How will this translate to life skills?
Each week participants will be asked to report back on success stories i.e. how they managed physiological responses more effectively. As the individual gains skills to manage physiology, the stressors once faced may not feel as stressful with a lowered physiological arousal. Participants will also be asked to identify ways to incorporate training into a lifestyle, as opposed to utilizing tools when in emergency situations. Incorporating a regulated state will be beneficial to whatever circumstance is experienced.
For more information regarding the approach taken, please read our blog post –
Contact Us
Phone: 984-664-5495
Fax: 919-786-9662
543 Keisler Drive #204 Cary, NC 27518
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Please contact us with questions or to make an appointment.