Othmer Method · ILF Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback & Brain Training
in Encinitas & San Marcos, CA

Non-invasive, evidence-based neurofeedback for adults and children — helping your brain self-regulate, so you can think clearly, sleep deeply, and feel like yourself again.

North County Neurofeedback Logo
Othmer Method Certified Non-Invasive & Drug-Free Individualized Protocols Serving North San Diego County Sister to THINK! Therapy Center

Direct training
of brain function

Neurofeedback is a safe, painless process that teaches your brain to regulate itself more efficiently — without drugs, without discomfort.

Explained Simply

"Imagine your brain is like a car engine that sometimes runs too fast, too slow, or out of tune. Neurofeedback is like a mechanic who shows the engine a mirror — and the engine fixes itself."

We place tiny sensors on your scalp that read your brainwaves — like a thermometer reading temperature, but for your brain. A computer shows those brainwaves back to you through a video or sound. When your brain sees its own activity, it instinctively moves toward a calmer, more balanced pattern — the same way you naturally adjust your posture when you see yourself in a mirror. No electricity goes in. Nothing is done to your brain. It simply gets to see itself, and it learns.

Live EEG · Session in Progress
Channel C3 · 0.08 Hz reward frequency · Infra-Low
Method
Othmer ILF
Placement
T3–FP1 Bipolar
Session
30 minutes
Biofeedback therapy diagram — brainwave measurement, signal processing, and audio-visual feedback loop
How the neurofeedback loop works: measure → process → feedback → learn
Who We Help

Conditions we address

Neurofeedback supports a wide range of brain-based challenges — for children and adults alike.

ADHD & Attention

Improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and build sustained attention without stimulant medications.

Anxiety & Stress

Calm an overactive nervous system and cultivate a baseline of inner steadiness.

Depression

Support mood regulation and emotional resilience through targeted brainwave training.

PTSD & Trauma

Gently re-regulate the nervous system without requiring verbal retelling of trauma.

Sleep Disorders

Train the brain toward healthier sleep architecture — fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer.

Brain Injury & Stroke

Support cognitive recovery and neuroplasticity following TBI, concussion, or stroke.

Autism Spectrum

Address sensory dysregulation, anxiety, and attention challenges common in ASD.

Peak Performance

Executives, athletes, and students seeking sharper cognition, calm under pressure, and mental edge.

Memory & Aging Brain

Support cognitive vitality, clarity, and memory in aging adults and early cognitive decline.

The Othmer Method

Developed by Sue and Siegfried Othmer over 35+ years, ILF Neurofeedback works at ultra-low frequencies — below 0.1 Hz — to regulate the brain's core arousal networks. The result is faster, deeper, and more durable change than traditional neurofeedback.

Unlike protocol-based approaches that apply fixed frequencies to everyone, the Othmer Method is entirely individualized — every session adapts to your brain's unique optimal response frequency, delivering results that are felt in as few as one to three sessions.

What Makes ILF Special
Deepest Frequencies AvailableWorks below 0.1 Hz — the arousal regulation layer that governs the entire nervous system.
100% IndividualizedYour optimal response frequency is unique to you — never a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Results Felt in Session 1–3Most clients notice a meaningful shift within the very first few sessions — no months of waiting.
Engages Default Mode NetworkILF targets the brain's core self-regulation networks — the DMN and Salience Network — validated by fMRI research.
No Effort RequiredYou simply relax and watch. The brain does all the work — no concentration, no tasks.
35+ Years of Clinical DataOver 100,000 clinical sessions informed the Othmers' development — refined continuously over three decades.
35+
Years of clinical development
15–20
Average sessions for major shifts
<0.1
Hz — Infra-Low frequency range
100%
Individualized protocols
Learn More — Video Resources
Introduction to Neurofeedback How Neurofeedback Works Othmer Method Overview ILF Neurofeedback Explained Neurofeedback & ADHD Neurofeedback & Trauma Brain Change & Neuroplasticity
Brainwave Frequency Bands
Infra-Low
<0.1 Hz
Delta
0.5–4 Hz
Theta
4–8 Hz
Alpha
8–12 Hz
SMR
12–15 Hz
Beta
15–30 Hz

The Othmer Method works primarily at Infra-Low frequencies — where arousal regulation, emotional stability, and autonomic function are governed.

Infra-Low Frequency · Active Protocol
Biofeedback loop diagram — measure, process, feedback and learn
The four-step biofeedback loop
Getting Started

Your path to a better brain

A clear, supportive process from first contact to lasting results.

01

Free Consultation

We discuss your history, symptoms, and goals. No pressure — just a conversation to see if neurofeedback is right for you.

02

Intake & Assessment

We complete a full intake, review any relevant reports, and design your individualized protocol.

03

Training Sessions

30-minute sessions, typically twice per week. You relax and watch a screen while your brain does the work.

04

Track & Optimize

We monitor your responses session by session, adjusting frequencies to maintain your brain's optimal trajectory.

Susan Addams

Meet Susan Addams

"Neurofeedback gave us our family back. Now I give others that same gift."

Susan Addams is an Othmer Method Neurofeedback provider and Educational Therapist, and the founder of THINK! Therapy Center. She has spent over two decades helping children and adults optimize brain function across North San Diego County.

Rooted in faith, science, and a deep conviction that every brain has the capacity to change, Susan tailors every protocol to the individual — not the diagnosis.

Othmer Method Certified Educational Therapist Founder, THINK! Therapy Christian-Based Practice
For Adults → For Kids & Teens →

Book a free consult

Fill out the form and we'll reach out within one business day. Or call us directly — we love to talk.
(858) 883-9000

Your information is private and goes directly to Susan.

Find us

Encinitas · Quail Gardens
Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas CA 92024
San Marcos · La Costa Meadows
1740 La Costa Meadows Dr, Ste G, San Marcos CA 92078
Call
(858) 883-9000
Email
Research & Evidence

The science is clear

Decades of clinical data and peer-reviewed research confirm what our clients feel: ILF Neurofeedback produces fast, measurable, and lasting change.

EEGInfo research: 50% symptom reduction in 3 sessions

EEGInfo Research — 50% symptom reduction in just 3 sessions, across 10+ conditions including anxiety, PTSD, sleep, and mood.

Brain scans Before and After neurofeedback

Before & After brain scans — measurable, visible changes in brain activity following a course of ILF neurofeedback training.

Child in neurofeedback session

A real session in action — EEG sensors on, a colorful brain-training game on screen, brainwaves self-optimizing in real time.

Client Experiences

What our clients feel

Real outcomes from real people who trained their brains with Othmer ILF / EEG Neurofeedback.

I came in completely overwhelmed with anxiety I'd had for years. After six sessions I noticed the constant noise in my head had quieted. By session twelve, my husband said I seemed like a different person.

M.R.
Adult client · Anxiety & sleep

We tried everything for our son's ADHD. Neurofeedback was the only thing that worked without making him feel medicated. His teachers noticed before we even told them what we were doing.

The K. Family
Parent · Child ADHD client

After my TBI I couldn't hold a thought. I did 20 sessions at North County Neurofeedback and I'm back to running my business. The focus and memory I thought I'd lost came back, gradually and then all at once.

D.T.
Adult client · Post-TBI recovery

Two convenient locations

Serving North San Diego County from Encinitas and San Marcos.

Encinitas — Quail Gardens

1179 Quail Gardens Drive
Encinitas, CA 92024

San Marcos — La Costa Meadows

1740 La Costa Meadows Drive, Ste. G
San Marcos, CA 92078

North County Neurofeedback is a sister practice to THINK! Therapy Center — offering the same Othmer Method neurofeedback in a clinical setting focused on adult outcomes, peak performance, and neurorecovery.

Is neurofeedback safe? +
Yes. Neurofeedback is entirely non-invasive — sensors only read brainwaves, nothing is sent into the brain. The American Academy of Pediatrics has noted no significant contraindications to its use.
How many sessions will I need? +
Most clients notice meaningful changes within 6–8 sessions. Substantial, lasting improvement typically requires 15–20 sessions. We assess progress continuously and always let your brain's response guide the plan.
Does insurance cover neurofeedback? +
Coverage varies by plan. We recommend checking with your provider. We can provide a superbill for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Please call us to discuss payment options.
What does a session feel like? +
You sit comfortably and watch a video or listen to audio. The sensors are painless. Many clients feel calm or slightly tired after early sessions — a sign the brain is responding. Sessions are 30 minutes.
Do you work with children too? +
Yes — we serve clients of all ages. Families with younger children may also benefit from our sister practice, THINK! Therapy Center, which specializes in pediatric neurofeedback alongside educational therapy.

Ready to start training?

Take the first step toward a calmer, clearer mind. Your free consultation is a no-obligation conversation with our team.

Call (858) 883-9000 Send Us an Email