What is the Difference between Neuroscience and Psychology?
The main difference between psychology and neuroscience is the object of study. Psychology is the study of behavior and the mental processes which lead to behavior—thoughts, feelings and desires. Psychology observes these behaviors and processes indirectly. Neuroscience delves deeper into the human mind, observing biological and chemical processes in the brain and nervous system. Neuroscience makes it possible to look more directly, to see what’s going on in our brains.
As you might imagine from this brief introduction, the two—neuroscience and psychology—can work hand-in-hand in helping to address unwanted behaviors and processes and devleop healthier and more desirable patterns. For psychologists trying to understand, explain, and change unwanted behaviors, understanding the neurobiological and neuropharmacological background can be invaluable in treatment.
Neuroscience and neurofeedback are offered at Honey Lake Clinic providing a non-evasive method of recording and then evaluating brain waves and brain rhythms to develop a more effective treatment plan for treating mental health or mood disorders.
How Do Neuroscience and Neurofeedback Work?
The brain organizes in rhythms. Brain waves are always firing, and those patterns form and govern how we think, act, and respond. Simply put, we are functioning well when the proper brainwave is dominant at the right time. We are not functioning when a pattern dominates at an inappropriate time. Brain waves can be recorded, allowing us to see when our brains are stuck in a particular pattern and can’t switch in the right timing.
In order to determine which brain waves need to be addressed, and trained to increase or decrease their activity, and in which area of the brain, a quantitative EEG assessment (qEEG) is used. This assessment uses sensors on specific scalp locations to measure your EEG activity in real time.
Results can be compared, then, against a large database of other individuals. By identifying the brain waves and locations which are either over- and under-stimulated, neurofeedback can be used to help reduce or increase the specific brain waves. These instructions for neurofeedback training—which brain waves and locations to train—are called protocols.
A most effective use of neurofeedback—and how it is used at Honey Lake Clinic—is as a therapy to treat mental health disorders. The effectiveness of neurofeedback training on some disorders has been more thoroughly researched than others, but, in general, neurofeedback training has been found to be beneficial in treating a variety of different neurological disorders. Some disorders that are commonly treated using neurofeedback include: ADHD, epilepsy, anxiety, PTSD, autism, and depression.
The theory behind neurofeedback is that by training certain brain waves, you can improve your brain’s functioning. You can adjust your thoughts, moods, and your ability to relax or concentrate. We are always trying to regulate ourselves. These attempts we make become patterned. Neurofeedback is therapy which helps when these patterns are unhealthy, need to be addressed and adjusted. Neuroscience’s therapies go hand in hand with its discoveries.
Neuroscience is another example of the unique treatment options available at Honey Lake Clinic which enable us to help clients address their health across all three spheres—spirit, mind and body—offering each client his or her greatest potential for wholeness and transformative growth.
Your ability at Honey Lake Clinic to incorporate a wide variety of therapeutic programs and options into your care is truly unique. The neuroscience track, in chorus with other forms of therapy—Equine-Assisted, EMDR, Art therapy, Massage, for instance—not to mention the many and varied relaxing on-site amenities you will enjoy here—all work together to heal.
At Honey Lake, we’re committed to providing you with compassionate care and the practical equipping necessary to significantly improve the condition which brought you to our program. A faith-informed model, experienced staff, licensed professional caregivers, individualized treatment—all in a beautiful and tranquil 1300-acre lakeside setting—we’re here for you.
