Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I want to know more about…
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The fees for “getting started” are as follows:
Initial Consultation - $95.00
QEEG Brain Scan - $245.00
Results & Recommendations Appointment - $205.00For further information about fees please see our Clinic Fees Page
Please note that the clinic does not accept cash payments.
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Most private health insurance companies will rebate for some of our services. Please contact Reception for more information. Some people may be eligible for Medicare assistance with a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan (GPCCMP). Please note that not everyone is eligible for this support, and we recommend that you contact your GP to discuss your eligibility.
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No. Whilst we do see a lot of people that are referred to us by their GP or Specialist, you do not need a referral to make an appointment. For information about how to get started see here.
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Diagnostic “labels” (eg. ADHD, Autism or Anxiety etc.) provide no information about the underlying problem(s) in the brain so you do not need a diagnosis before coming to The Perth Brain Centre.
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No, not in the traditional sense. The results from QEEG Brain Scans (such as patterns of under-activity or over-activity in different parts of the brain) cannot be used to provide a diagnosis of conditions such as ADHD, Autism or Anxiety. This is because the diagnosis of these, and other conditions, is usually based upon symptoms and other information provided to a paediatrician or psychiatrist, such as from interviews and questionnaires from the patient and their parents, partner or teachers. The Perth Brain Centre does not provide this type of traditional diagnostic service.
Instead, QEEG Brain Scans are used to identify areas of the brain that are not working normally. This unique information about brain activity can be used to help understand why someone is acting, feeling or thinking the way they are (such as difficulties with attention or emotional regulation) and can also be used to help direct drug-free therapies to help “re-wire’ or “re-train” the brain.
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MRI and CT Scans are commonly used to look at the brain and provide detailed information about brain structure. These types of scans however do not provide any information about how someone’s brain is working. Quantitative Electro-Encephalogram (QEEG) assesses brain activity directly, and provides detailed information about how an individual’s brain is functioning, typically providing information about areas of under or over-activity.
Please click here to visit our QEEG page.
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QEEG Brain Scans are extremely safe. There is no radiation or loud noise. During the scans people sit comfortably whilst wearing a special “electrode cap” containing sensors connected to specialised medical equipment that simply mesaure and record brain actvity. The scans take about 30 minutes to perform, and are suitable for people of almost all ages. Please click here to visit our QEEG page.
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Neuroplasticity, the amazing ability of our brain to change its own structure and function, has no age limits. However in practice it can sometimes be very difficult to perform a QEEG Brain Scan and some of the therapies with very young children. For this reason we are unable to see children less than 3 years old. We would recommend that if your child is less than 5 years old that you contact the clinic to check their suitability.
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No. It is very important that patients continue taking medication as prescribed and to keep us informed of any changes.
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No clinic can offer a 100% guarantee because no treatment works for everyone all the time, and of course brain-based therapies are no different. However, The Perth Brain Centre has built a reputation by helping over 11,000 people for more than over 15 years using evidence-based therapies delivered by a team of healthcare professionals. You are making the right choice by choosing The Perth Brain Centre.
Further information can be found at https://www.perthbraincentre.com.au/health-professionals/research-evidence.
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Every case is different and there is no “one-size-fits-all” training approach. Some people may only need training for a few weeks and others may benefit from several months of care. Whilst there are often some “general rules of thumb”, it is only at the Results & Recommendations Appointment that we are able to provide more detailed answers to questions about expected costs and duration of care.
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Perth Brain Centre has helped many thousands of people from Western Australia improve their brain health over more than 15 years. Most people that we help attend clinic for training in-person, however in some instances there are barriers to care (such as distance from clinic or other circumstances) that can make in-clinic training not always easy. In these cases we are pleased to be able to offer home-based training programs.
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No, not all Neurofeedback is the same. The Perth Brain Centre has been improving the lives of thousands of children and their families in WA for over 15 years using evidence-based traditional QEEG-Directed Neurofeedback Therapy.
Recently a variation of Neurofeedback called “NeurOptimal” has become available in Australia. It is very important that people are aware of the differences to help them make an informed choice about the therapy they choose for themselves and their children. There are 3 very important differences:
1. Traditional Neurofeedback Therapy is supported by over 50 years of scientific evidence including many peer-reviewed studies, randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews/meta-analyses. For details see: https://www.perthbraincentre.com.au/health-professionals/research-evidence. There is little scientific evidence supporting “NeurOptimal”.
2. Traditional Neurofeedback Therapy is a data-driven approach. Safe and non-invasive brain scans, known as QEEG, assess and visualise how the brain is working and are used to identify specific areas of dysregulation (for example areas of under-activity or over-activity). This unique information is then used to help guide and individually personalise therapy and also track results. “NeurOptimal” does not use QEEG Brain Scans and does not target specific areas of the brain.
3. Traditional Neurofeedback Therapy is typically administered by trained practitioners with a clinical background. “NeurOptimal” requires no assessments, no expertise and no specialised training, with people encouraged to rent or buy their own systems for home.
So, when considering Neurofeedback for yourself or your children consider asking these 3 questions:
1. What scientific evidence does the clinic have that supports the Neurofeedback Therapy they are providing?
2. Does the clinic use QEEG Brain Scans to guide therapy and track results?
3. What training and/or clinical experience do the practitioners have?
The Perth Brain Centre has helped over 10,000 patients over more than 15 years, and remains committed to providing the highest quality evidence-based traditional QEEG-Directed Neurofeedback Therapy.
Ready to get started?
We’ve designed our in-clinic program to be clear, supportive, and tailored to you. It’s a simple three-step process to help you better understand your brain and improve your mental well-being.