Neurofeedback Agency Project Brings Therapeutic Training to Key Program, Inc.

By Nicolette Anderson, Communications Coordinator & Recruitment Assistant, Key Program, Inc.

Key Program, Inc. staff members had the privilege of collaborating with the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project (NAP) - a non-profit with the sole mission of bringing life-changing technology and treatment to those who need it most.

What is Neurofeedback? NFB is a form of brain training which improves functioning. Infra-Low Frequency (ILF) Neurofeedback is a highly effective approach to treatment for clients with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and those who’ve experienced trauma. It is safe, non-invasive, and works by engaging the brain's own mechanisms of self-regulation. In other words, it aims to make the brain self-aware.

Here's how it works: EEG sensors are placed on a client’s scalp to receive brainwave activity. Next, they watch a video or play a video game that provides the brain with feedback on its responses or rather, performance. For example, as a client visualizes a clip of a racecar speeding up and slowing down, the brain is noting its reactions to the activity. Participants can also hold a stuffed animal designed to vibrate as part of the feedback process – in this case, a teddy bear. They can then recognize their own thought patterns and begin to modify them. Over time, this method can help clients self-regulate, improve brain function, and ultimately alleviate symptoms of various neurological disorders and mental health conditions.

This isn’t the first time Key has had the chance to complete neurofeedback training. In fact, our first round of training took place in 2023 with a group of 14 clinicians. The initiative was so successful that we’ve expanded to train 12 more – now with NAP. Colette Melancon, CEO & Owner of Therapeutic Partners, LLC and leader of the training, expressed her enthusiasm about our involvement with the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project stating,

“We are extremely excited to work with The Key Program, and we believe this is the start of something much bigger. From Leadership to the quality clinicians we have met, they are committed to building a Neurofeedback Program across their organization. The ability to provide treatment to clients with diverse needs in a variety of clinical settings – residential programs, community-based programs, trauma clinics – Key has the potential to not merely help individuals self-regulate, but to regulate the overall milieu in their treatment settings. They aren’t just training clinicians in a treatment modality; they’re changing the way mental health care is provided to the population that needs it the most.”

NAP hopes to make neurofeedback treatment accessible to those in need, focusing on agencies that work with underserved and vulnerable communities. The training - held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday - exposed our clinical staff to hands-on, interactive learning, putting them in the driver's seat of this breakthrough technology. Though Key already has some experience with the therapy under its belt, Director of Agency Clinical Services, Karen Flannery, believes we’ve only scratched the surface.

“What’s exciting about this round of training is we are now using the NAP system to gather and organize our data. With this new resource, we now have the power to validate our findings and bring this essential treatment to the forefront.”

While the technology has the potential to heal, Melancon emphasizes it is not a silver bullet.

“NFB is not a magic wand, nor is it a replacement for therapy. Rather, it is a specialized tool to add to the therapeutic toolbox.”

And we couldn’t be more eager to use it.

To learn more about Key Program, Inc. – serving Massachusetts and Rhode Island – click here.