Johanna Hager, a highly credentialed psychotherapy leader, recently appeared on Wake Up Tri-Counties to explain the Othmer Method Neurofeedback therapy. Hager uses this advanced technique alongside talk therapy to address trauma, mood disorders, and life transitions, offering clients a tailored, compassionate approach. Her expertise spans over 30 years, encompassing extensive clinical practice, forensic interviews, and community mental health advocacy. In an initiative to expand access to innovative mental health care, the Kewanee Police Department has secured grant funding. This support will allow them to acquire neurofeedback equipment and contract Hager’s services, assisting residents healing from trauma. Stay tuned to Regional Media-WKEI for more information on the grant.
About 25 years ago, Sue Othmer, a pioneer in neurofeedback, diverged from the standard practice by allowing the brain to guide its own process, rather than relying on statistical norms. Her approach, now known as the Othmer method, involves adjusting the ‘reward’ frequencies based on individual client responses—tracking symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or improvement. This real-time feedback eliminates the need for expensive brain maps and often produces quicker, more comprehensive results. While many found success with this method, it hasn’t gained universal acceptance, as most practitioners continue to use traditional neurofeedback assessment strategies.
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.
A pioneering shift in neurofeedback therapy is drawing attention as researchers embrace infra-low frequency (ILF) techniques. Originating around 12 years ago, Carl Shames and Sue Othmer were at the forefront, experimenting with frequencies lower than ever before, measured in millihertz rather than hertz. Contrary to expectations, these ultra-low frequencies produced quicker and more widespread benefits, with patients often noticing effects immediately after their first session. The Othmer Institute has reported a dramatic reduction in the average number of required sessions. Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback is gaining recognition as a safe, noninvasive method for improving brain function across all age groups. Using sensors placed on the scalp, the technique provides real-time feedback through engaging activities like movies or video games, allowing the brain to self-regulate without conscious effort. Sessions are tailored, with frequencies individually optimized, often leading to a unique combination of calmness and alertness in clients. Developed over decades and supported by modern neuroimaging, ILF Neurofeedback has shown promise for individuals dealing with trauma or chronic dysregulation.
Researchers at the Othmer Institute have achieved remarkable breakthroughs using ultra-low frequency brain training. By working at frequencies measured in millihertz, between 0.01 and 0.1 Hz, participants reported rapid improvements in just their first session, feeling calm or tired almost immediately. Follow-up accounts after a second session included notable behavioral and cognitive changes. The overall number of sessions required has dropped dramatically, with many individuals experiencing core benefits in just 6-8 visits. This development has not only made neurofeedback faster and more effective but also far more affordable, paving the way for broader, more accessible mental health support.
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. The equipment and software are available at Bee Medic. Find more information on the equipment and software for ILF Neurofeedback here. Johanna has been a therapist for almost 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 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.
