Community Lemonade Stand Fundraiser on July 12th to Support Mental Health with Neurofeedback Therapy in Kewanee

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A community-powered lemonade stand will pop up this Saturday at Cambridge Road and West 6th Street with a special mission on July 12, 2025. Organized to benefit Johanna Hager, the fundraiser hopes to secure neurofeedback equipment aimed at improving mental wellness for local families. Interest in brain waves has dramatically grown since Hans Berger discovered electrical brain activity in the 1920s. Researchers now focus on how different mental states and brain diseases correlate with these electrical signals. Neurofeedback, an emerging area of biofeedback, allows individuals to target and modify their brain waves directly. By monitoring brain activity through sensors, users receive real-time feedback—often in the form of sounds or visual cues—to train their minds toward healthier patterns. This approach is being investigated as a potential treatment for disorders such as ADHD, anxiety, and epilepsy, offering new hope for non-invasive interventions. Organizers invite neighbors of all ages to stop by, enjoy a drink, and donate toward accessible mental health resources. Each cup sold brings the community closer to hands-on tools for better focus, emotional balance, and overall well-being. The event runs from 10 AM to 4 PM, but if you are unable to attend, more information on how you can help is found below.

Johanna Hager is a member of the American Psychological Association and a certified trauma specialist. She recently moved into private practice and is working to get her new office fully established. Thanks to donations by kind citizens, Johanna has begun furnishing her office while treating patients. At this time, Johanna Hager can only provide talk therapy until she raises $17,000 to purchase her own neurofeedback therapy equipment and software to use in her Kewanee office. The equipment and software are available at Bee Medic. Find more information on the equipment and software for ILF Neurofeedback here. There are webinars available if you would like to learn more about neurofeedback from Bee Medic. Johanna has been a therapist for about 35 years and has treated people of all ages and psychological needs. Johanna has experienced great success using neurofeedback. Neurofeedback is a tool used in conjunction with talk therapy, which allows the brain to slow down and relax, helping the patient break down the walls to heal.

You can help by donating money for the neurofeedback equipment or furniture for her new office. Johanna’s Kewanee office is located at 301 N. Main Street. She needs tables for her office and toys and books for the children. The plan is to have a “kids’ corner” to keep younger kids busy while they wait. If you can’t make it to the lemonade fundraiser on July 12th, you can donate by Venmo or send a donation to her office. You can call or text 309-489-2195 with any questions or to ask what she still needs for her office. To make an appointment with Johanna Hager, call 309-489-2195 or book online. She has in-person and telehealth appointments, and most insurance is accepted through Alberto Minzer & Associates.

Johanna Hager stands out as a leader in psychotherapy, providing hope and healing to those confronting trauma, mood disorders, chronic illness, and significant life changes. With more than three decades of practice, she personalizes every session, ensuring clients feel genuinely understood in a safe, supportive environment. Johanna employs innovative therapies, such as neurofeedback and EMDR, guiding individuals through recovery with empathy and expertise. Beyond the therapy room, she conducted forensic interviews and served as an expert witness, educating courts on trauma’s impact throughout the area. Her commitment extends to mental health advocacy and community outreach, reflecting her dedication to nurturing strength and resilience in every client she meets.

Infra-Low Frequencies (ILF) neurofeedback is gaining attention as a non-invasive brain training technique targeting the brain’s slowest oscillations—those between 0.01 to 0.1 Hz. In this process, sensors monitor brain activity while visual or audio cues provide real-time feedback, allowing the brain to learn to self-regulate these infra-low frequencies. Advocates suggest ILF neurofeedback can help with mood, sleep, and physical responses by improving autonomic nervous system regulation. Early research highlights its promise for conditions such as trauma, headaches, mood disorders, and cognitive function. This specialized approach is also being explored for mental health issues, including ADHD and anxiety.

According to research on ILF referenced on the National Library of Medicine, a growing body of research highlights the promise of Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback, or ILF-Neurofeedback, for regulating the central nervous system. A recent systematic review examined 18 well-documented studies, evaluating their quality and effectiveness using recognized scientific standards. Results suggest neurofeedback can significantly influence brain function and neurophysiological processes, showing particular effectiveness when customized to individuals’ needs. However, this high level of individualization presents challenges for standardized research and comparison. The review concludes that ILF-neurofeedback holds strong potential for treating conditions linked to brain activity regulation, though further high-quality research is needed to clarify its full range of clinical applications.

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