Alpha-Theta Neurofeedback

Name: Alpha-Theta Neurofeedback
Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)

Webinar recording with Dr Moshe Perl

Created byMoshe Perl

Last updated 9/2025

English

English [Auto],

What you'll learn

Alpha-Theta mechanisms and methodology
Clinical applications of Alpha-Theta Neurofeedback
Historical development and research
How to use the EEGer neurofeedback system to administer Alpha-Theta Neurofeedback

Course content

1 section • 14 lectures • 5h 14m total length

Introduction4:30
Explore alpha theta as the boundary between conscious and unconscious, and examine how belief and two rules of the mind drive physiological change through imagination and brain chemistry.
History7:44
Trace the history of alpha-theta neurofeedback, from 1920s alpha rhythm discovery to 1960s researchers, the Menninger Institute's alpha training, EEG biofeedback, and imagery-based unconscious programming linked to meditation.
Reseach40:27
Explores alpha theta neurofeedback as a treatment for veterans with PTSD and alcoholism, showing reduced relapse, abstinence maintenance, and decreased rehospitalization compared with standard inpatient care.
Alpha-Theta and Sleep7:22
Explore how EEG patterns trace alpha, theta, and delta across waking, A1–B3 mini sleep stages, and how neurofeedback trains flexible brain states between self and non-self experiences, including meditation.
Training considerations4:10
Alpha theta neurofeedback trains both alpha and theta bands simultaneously through regular sessions; eyes open training targets physiology and eyes closed training addresses psychology.
Bands and thresholds29:20
Learn how to set and adjust alpha and theta thresholds, using 11 microvolts to reward 25–65 percent and guide decoupling from beta and delta for alpha-theta training.
States and abreactions29:34
Discover how alpha theta neurofeedback uses alpha and theta states to calm the nervous system, relieve trauma, and guide non-self experiences with EEG coordination.
Process overview50:31
Explore the alpha theta neurofeedback process: intake assessment, beta training, and guided imagery. Learn intensive alpha theta sessions with eyes-open training and home practice.
Typical treatment progression15:19
Alpha, theta, and delta bands reveal how clients respond to alpha-theta neurofeedback, showing state changes, sleep patterns, and progression across sessions.
Addictions4:40
Explore alpha-theta neurofeedback for chemical dependency, showing how excessive beta, reward deficiency syndrome, and D2 receptor issues relate to trauma, PTSD, and how the default mode network normalizes alpha.
Anxiety and depression5:38
Explore how anxiety and depression respond to alpha-theta neurofeedback, addressing panic, intrusive thoughts, and sleep disruption, shifting focus from past to present, and enhancing energy, honesty, and emotional stability.
Bonus: Q&A10:51
Explore when to use alpha theta neurofeedback, tailoring preparation for OCD, addictions, depression, anxiety, and peak performance, with supportive scripts and psychotherapy integration.
Alpha-theta and EEGer1:26:15
Learn alpha-theta neurofeedback with EEGer, balancing alpha (8–11 Hz) and theta (5–8 Hz) rewards against beta (12–22 Hz) and delta (2–5 Hz) inhibits, via six-trace displays and sound feedback.
Running the session18:30
Train alpha-theta neurofeedback by guiding electrode placement at PZ and reference sites, setting thresholds, monitoring impedance, and using tones to mark alpha and theta states for session effectiveness.

Requirements

An understanding of amplitude neurofeedback/frequency band training.
An understanding of the international 10-20 system.
Ideally access to neurofeedback equipment that allows you to do alpha-theta training, AND to adjust protocols. The EEGer system is preferable as it is used in the practicum.
Ideally students will have already completed a basic hands-on course in neurofeedback and/or a BCIA certified course in neurofeedback.

Description

PLEASE NOTE: This course is intended for neurofeedback professionals only. While the main content of the course is independent of any particular brand of neurofeedback equipment, the practicum is conducted on the EEGer neurofeedback system.

This is a recording of Dr. Moshe Perl delivering his popular Alpha-Theta Neurofeedback course as part of a live-online course taught in August, 2020. It is an in-depth, comprehensive introduction to Alpha-Theta neurofeedback.

Alpha-Theta neurofeedback – also commonly referred to as the "Peniston Protocol" (in recognition of the ground-breaking research by Dr Eugene Peniston, who achieved an 80% success rate, with 10 year follow-up, in the treatment of alcoholism) – is deep state work, often applied in order to address addictions and PTSD and is also used for peak performance.

Combining Alpha-Theta fairly early with eyes open neurofeedback can, for many clients, improve their ability to remain calm, improve sleep and general well-being, and accelerate emotional healing.

Alpha-Theta training/neurofeedback is often likened to meditation, as alpha-theta states are often achieved through meditative practice.

Topics covered include: historical development, research, Alpha-Theta mechanisms and methodology, clinical applications and practicum.

For this video-series, we kept the questions that people asked during the live recording of the course, but replaced their voices with snazzy title cards.

Who this course is for:

Intermediate neurofeedback practitioners.