Clinical neurofeedback is a method of psychological intervention and neuromodulation that directly acts on the brain's functioning, promoting self-regulation. It is based on recording the brain's electrical activity through electroencephalography (EEG), allowing real-time monitoring of brain functioning patterns and providing immediate feedback to the brain about its own activity, facilitating self-regulation and functional reorganization.
It is a non-invasive and painless approach that facilitates the functional reorganization of the brain, contributing to greater emotional stability, cognitive improvement, and nervous system regulation.
There are different modalities of clinical neurofeedback, from more traditional approaches to advanced methods of brain regulation, with the intervention always tailored to each individual's specific profile. It can be applied at different stages of the life cycle, from childhood to adulthood.
Clinical neurofeedback is always developed within the context of a psychotherapeutic relationship and can be integrated with other psychological intervention modalities, allowing for a more comprehensive approach and enhancing therapeutic outcomes.
This method has scientific evidence demonstrated in a wide range of mental disorders, from common psychological difficulties to complex, severe, and refractory conditions characterized by persistent alterations in emotional regulation, cognitive functioning, and response to stress.
By directly intervening in the regulation processes of the nervous system, clinical neurofeedback can go beyond traditional psychological approaches, facilitating profound changes in brain functioning. In practice, this means that when symptoms decrease or disappear during the therapeutic process, this improvement tends to remain stable and permanent, reflecting a real change in how the brain functions.
Clinical neurofeedback is a method used in clinical settings internationally and is part of the practice of clinical and health psychology. In Portugal, its use is within the competencies recognized by the Portuguese Psychologists Order and is also promoted and developed by various scientific and international professional organizations, such as the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, the International Society for Neuroregulation and Research, the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance, and the European Biofeedback Federation.
Dr. Virgílio Baltasar
Specialist in Clinical and Health Psychology; Advanced Specialty in Neuropsychology
Professional License No. 018579 (Portuguese Psychologists Order)
Centro Médico Internacional de Vila Real de Santo António – Grupo HPA Saúde
9, June 2026
