In the Tatort episode Murot und der Elefant im Raum (Murot and the Elephant in the Room), neurofeedback appears not as a form of therapy, but as a narrative device. The film uses "neurofeedback" as a label. The term lends an air of medical legitimacy to a completely fictional technology, even though the effects depicted have nothing to do with the actual method.

The Plot
Inspector Felix Murot is under severe psychological strain and is undergoing therapeutic treatment alongside his investigative work. This involves a technical-looking apparatus described as an "advanced development" of neurofeedback, which allegedly allows a person to enter their own internal psychological space and penetrate the subconscious.

Simultaneously, Murot is investigating a missing person's case. A woman has kidnapped her young son and retreated to a remote forest cabin. After an accident, she falls into a coma. The child's location is unknown, and traditional investigative methods fail to yield results. The film links these two levels. Murot uses the apparatus to confront his own psyche and later to enter the consciousness of the comatose mother by having both parties wear electrode caps. The idea of connecting two people to enter one person's subconscious is presented as a new, previously untested expansion of the technology. This inner world is staged as a surreal, physical space. Murot discovers clues that ultimately lead to the child's rescue. In parallel, conventional investigations also succeed, and the child is found alive.

Why the Depiction of Neurofeedback Is Not Realistic
The term "neurofeedback" linguistically categorizes the shown technology within a medical-therapeutic context without explaining how it actually works. During the application, Murot twitches convulsively; after his stay in the comatose woman's internal psychological space, he appears disoriented, shows hallucinatory symptoms, and later nearly causes a traffic accident.

The staging is reminiscent of neurological emergencies, overstimulation, and loss of control. While neurofeedback is not explicitly labeled as dangerous, it is visually linked to physical collapse and risk. For experts, this depiction is clearly recognizable as fiction; however, for a lay audience, it can lead to a false understanding of a real therapeutic procedure.

In reality, neurofeedback records brain activity and translates it into feedback that supports self-regulation processes. Seizures, disorientation, or hallucinatory states are medical emergencies, not therapeutic effects. Furthermore, it is impossible to read another person's thoughts or "enter" their subconscious. The depiction in the film is therefore not a simplified version of reality, but a fundamentally different construction that attributes properties to a real procedure that it simply does not possess.

Conclusion
The term "neurofeedback" is used to lend credibility to a fictional technology. This is precisely why it is important to contextualize this depiction and clearly name it for what it is: fiction using real vocabulary, not the representation of a therapeutic procedure.
 

Evelyn Gollwitzer's occupational therapy and neurofeedback practice in Erlangen offers a wide range of therapies for children and adults. Since 2019, the occupational therapist has been working independently, drawing on her many years of experience, empathy, and a clear goal: to improve her clients' quality of life in the long term.She treats children with developmental disorders, especially ADHD, as well as adults with orthopedic, neurological, or mental illnesses. This includes clients suffering from pain, people who have had a stroke or have multiple sclerosis, people with dementia, and clients with depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
 

Neurofeedback as an effective supplement

Evelyn Gollwitzer has been successfully using neurofeedback in her therapeutic work since 2015. She mainly works with the ILF method according to Othmer and combines it with frequency band training such as alpha-theta or SMR training, depending on the objective. “Neurofeedback promotes self-regulation, allowing classic approaches to be more effective. The effects are immediately noticeable, and the best thing is that clients don't have to do anything. All they have to do is watch their brain activity,” explains Evelyn Gollwitzer.
 

Neurofeedback for all ages

In practice, neurofeedback is offered for all age groups, from toddlers to seniors. Many clients report better sleep, greater serenity, and increased relaxation in everyday life. They provide feedback on their state of mind and fill out a diary in which they evaluate their main symptoms using individual, positively worded sentences. This allows progress to be observed in a targeted manner and the therapeutic approach to be optimally adjusted. “This daily reflection not only makes changes visible, but also provides inspiration for everyday life - such as more breaks or consciously planned family time,” explains Evelyn Gollwitzer.
 

Success stories from practice

For Evelyn Gollwitzer, every client is unique with their own story. Particularly impressive is the case of a client who suffered from severe irritable bowel syndrome and was greatly restricted as a result. Her fears meant that she was barely able to leave her house. “Today, she goes on vacation again, relaxed and with confidence in her body,” says Evelyn Gollwitzer. This example demonstrates the success and profound effect of neurofeedback. The therapy helps clients access their own feelings and release inner blockages.
 

Proven collaboration with BEE Medic

Evelyn Gollwitzer has been using BEE Medic systems since she began her neurofeedback work. "Before I started with neurofeedback, I thought it was only for tech-savvy people. Fortunately, that was a false assumption. The devices are intuitive to use and also ideal for someone like me who is technically illiterate," she says with a smile.

The variety of animations is a big advantage for Evelyn Gollwitzer. Some clients prefer colorful options such as Innertube, while others appreciate quieter variants such as Aurora from Dreamscapes. Children like to use Arcade or watch movies. Evelyn Gollwitzer also finds the combination with biofeedback sensors enriching. “This allows clients to see how thoughts are reflected positively or negatively in their stress levels in their bodies. This is often very impressive.”
 

About the Occupational Therapy & Neurofeedback Practice

Evelyn Gollwitzer's practice focuses on the individual, with all their unique needs and circumstances. The goal is to support people of all ages in strengthening self-regulation, well-being, and everyday skills. Whether in the practice, at home, or in a nursing home, treatment is always holistic, individualized, and highly empathetic.
 

📍 Occupational Therapy & Neurofeedback Practice
Friedrichstraße 30, 91054 Erlangen
📞 09131 – 8272925
🌐 www.ergotherapie-neurofeedback.de

It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Matt Fleischman, founder of the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project (NAP).
Matt was not only the initiator of the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project, which he shaped with great clarity, perseverance, and personal conviction. He was also an extraordinary person. His death leaves a void that is deeply felt by us, not only professionally, but above all on a personal level.

Matt Fleischman worked as a licensed psychologist with a doctoral degree in Eugene, Oregon. Throughout his professional life, he worked at the intersection of behavioral therapy, neurofeedback, and healthcare systems. As a principal investigator, he was involved in a project funded by the National Institute of Mental Health in which family-based treatment programs were implemented in social service settings.

Matt first encountered neurofeedback in the late 1980s. In the decades that followed, he explored a wide range of neurofeedback approaches and their integration into therapeutic practice. He taught and lectured in the United States and internationally, and remained consistently committed to the practical and responsible use of neurofeedback-based methods.

In his memory, we would like to share the story of the project that was particularly close to his heart.

The Founding of the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project
Matt founded the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project in 2018 after retiring from active clinical practice. His goal was clear: neurofeedback should be made available where the need is greatest – in social service institutions. He was not focused on short-term effects, but on building sustainable structures and a solid foundation for decision-making in the practical delivery of care. To make the benefits of neurofeedback understandable and verifiable, he emphasized the systematic collection of data from real-world practice from the very beginning.

To support this effort, Matt developed the Results Tracking System. It enables clinicians to document relevant progress and outcome information in a structured way. This data foundation was central to him, as it made practical experience visible and allowed the effects of neurofeedback in social service settings to be assessed in a well-grounded manner.

Collaboration with BEE Medic
Since December 2020, BEE Medic and the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project have worked closely together, particularly in the areas of data analysis and project development. Matt advanced the project with perseverance, clarity, and great personal commitment. The regular exchanges were marked by respect, openness, and a shared commitment to developing meaningful and responsible solutions. Over time, this collaboration grew into not only a professional partnership, but also a personal bond. 

Results and Impact of the Project
Publicly available analyses from the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project’s Results Tracking System show meaningful changes across several areas that are particularly relevant to social service settings. The data are based on systematically collected self-assessments and progress documentation from participating institutions. Among other findings, the reports indicate reductions in the severity of identified problem areas as well as improvements in emotional regulation and behavior. Changes are also observed in areas such as school-related behavior, substance relapse, emergency care utilization, and hospitalizations. These results highlight the potential of neurofeedback-based interventions in addressing complex challenges such as trauma, chronic stress, and multiple psychosocial risk factors. Systematic data collection makes it possible to contextualize and further develop the use of neurofeedback in social care environments.

Continuation of the Project
The Neurofeedback Advocacy Project will continue. In the fall, Colette Melancon was appointed Executive Director. We are very pleased that she has taken on this role and will continue the work of the project.

Farewell
With Matt Fleischman, we lose the founder of the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project and a person who influenced many through his integrity, energy, and humanity. His commitment and approach live on in the project he built.

Further information:
https://www.neurofeedbackadvocacyproject.com/
 

Meet You Gotta Believe from New York City!

You Gotta Believe is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding permanent families for older youth in foster care. Through training, advocacy, and long-term support, their mission is to ensure that no young person ages out of foster care without a family.

The organization trains and supports parents to adopt older youth, provides the required certification courses for foster parents, assists families in identifying a child to join their family, and continues offering support services long after placement. Through their mental health department, You Gotta Believe offers free, adoption competent mental health services to all families, focusing on healing developmental trauma, repairing attachment disruptions, and fostering felt safety and secure attachment.

At the heart of this work is a commitment to innovative, integrative care, and Infra-Low Frequency (ILF) Neurofeedback plays an important role. You Gotta Believe began using ILF neurofeedback in 2023 after receiving training through NAP with support from a Pritzker Foundation grant. Clinical leadership is provided by Emily Collins, LCSW, Director of Clinical Services, and Martha Hornthal, LMHC, Senior Clinician. Both are parents of children adopted from foster care, bringing professional expertise and lived experience to their work.

Neurofeedback has been especially valuable for young people who have spent years in foster care and often feel exhausted by repeatedly retelling their stories in traditional therapy settings. According to YGB clinicians, the nonverbal nature of ILF neurofeedback helps reduce resistance and allows youth to focus on symptoms that matter most to them.

One young adult, who had already made significant progress through therapeutic work, was experiencing daily migraines, emotional regulation challenges, anxiety, and stress-related stomach pain. A YGB clinician observed that after participating in ILF neurofeedback sessions, her migraines stopped completely, she became more emotionally resilient, experienced less anxiety, and stress no longer manifested as physical pain. She was better able to function at work and within her family.

"We have been using BEE Medic products from the beginning! We appreciate the responsiveness of the BEE Medic team whenever we have questions or need assistance with the equipment. It was a challenge at first to integrate neurofeedback into our program, only because our families were not familiar with the modality. We had to do a lot of education to teach clients about the potential benefits. However, once we got started, those who had experienced neurofeedback became some of our biggest promoters, encouraging other clients to take advantage of the service since they had such great results themselves."

The flexibility of the neurofeedback experience has also been key. Clients may begin sessions with calming visuals and music to tune into their internal state, then transition to watching favorite shows on Netflix or YouTube once protocols are established. For younger clients, comfort items such as stuffed animals often become part of the experience, helping sessions feel safe, playful, and engaging.

Last year marks a major milestone as You Gotta Believe celebrates 30 years of finding forever families for those who need them most. Since 1995, their mission has remained unwavering: to make sure no young person leaves foster care without unconditional love, lifelong support, and the knowledge that it is never too late for family.

We deeply respect the compassion, innovation, and commitment of the You Gotta Believe team and are grateful to support their life changing work.

Get In Touch

You Gotta Believe
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: yougottabelieve.org

not is a professional magazine dedicated to people with traumatic brain injuries, stroke survivors, and individuals with other acquired brain injuries. It also offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals, family members, and other interested readers. The magazine features well-founded articles, practical tips, and current developments in neurorehabilitation.

In December, not published an insightful article in collaboration with BEE Medic focusing on ILF Neurofeedback. The article explains how this method can be specifically applied in the treatment of traumatic brain injuries and highlights its potential benefits for rehabilitation.

You can read the full article here or below.
 

This blog post contains an AI-assisted translation of an article originally published in German. While the translation has been prepared with care, the original version is authoritative.

fMRI study shows stable brain network changes only for the full ILF protocol

Neurofeedback has been used in clinical practice for many years. At the same time, there is ongoing discussion about the neurophysiological mechanisms through which different neurofeedback approaches exert their effects. In the case of Infra-Low Frequency (ILF) neurofeedback in particular, imaging studies demonstrating objective changes in the brain beyond subjective reports have so far been limited.

A study published in December 2025 in the scientific journal NeuroImage addresses this gap. The aim of the work was not to evaluate the clinical efficacy of neurofeedback, but to investigate the neurophysiological effects of the signal components of an established ILF neurofeedback protocol from a mechanistic perspective.

ILF neurofeedback as a combined approach

ILF neurofeedback is not a single-signal method. It is based on the combination of multiple EEG timescales, including:

• classical EEG frequency band signals reflecting fast neural dynamics
• infra-low-frequency signals capturing very slow regulatory processes 

This combination corresponds to the clinical ILF neurofeedback configuration as it is used in therapeutic practice.
To better understand the underlying mechanisms, the signal components combined in ILF neurofeedback were deliberately examined separately in the study and analyzed both individually and in combination. This separation served the mechanistic investigation of the established ILF approach.
 

Study design: mechanistic analysis of an established protocol

The study comprised three randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover experiments with a total of 135 healthy participants. In each sub-study, participants completed a single 30-minute neurofeedback session, accompanied by functional MRI measurements before and after the session.
Three experimental conditions were examined:

• classical EEG frequency band signals alone
• infra-low-frequency signals alone
• the combination of frequency band and infra-low-frequency signals corresponding to the clinical ILF neurofeedback configuration 

Resting-state fMRI data were analyzed using multivariate functional connectivity pattern analysis (fc-MVPA), an established method for assessing large-scale brain networks.

Central findings

The central finding of the study is clear. Robust and statistically reliable changes in functional brain connectivity were observed exclusively when frequency band and infra-low-frequency signals were applied in combination. When the individual signal components were applied in isolation, no comparably stable effects were observed after statistical correction. The results therefore indicate that consistent neurophysiological changes emerge only from the combination of different EEG timescales. Importantly, the study does not identify a novel combination. Rather, it demonstrates the neurophysiological relevance of the complete ILF neurofeedback protocol as it is used in clinical practice.

Relevance of the findings for ILF neurofeedback by BEE Medic

The results provide, for the first time, an imaging-based mechanistic foundation for the ILF neurofeedback approach that BEE Medic has exclusively developed and technically implemented in this consistent clinical configuration. The study shows that the observed effects are not driven by individual EEG signals alone, but by the targeted coupling of fast and very slow neuronal dynamics as realized in ILF neurofeedback. In this way, an approach that has previously been shaped primarily by clinical experience is now based on a clear neurophysiological footing.

Study context

The study is designed as a neurophysiological basic research investigation. It does not make any statements about clinical efficacy, specific symptoms, or long-term effects. Its contribution lies in the objective, imaging-based analysis of the underlying mechanisms.

Conclusion

The fMRI study published in NeuroImage demonstrates that the complete ILF neurofeedback protocol, meaning the combination of classical EEG frequency band signals and infra-low-frequency signals, leads to stable and measurable changes in functional brain networks. The study therefore provides, for the first time, an imaging-based mechanistic foundation for the ILF neurofeedback approach as it is used clinically and technically implemented by BEE Medic devices.

You can read the whole paper here.
 

Kasia McCartney is co-founder of Encephalon – Edinburgh's neurofeedback clinic for brain health and development. As a neurofeedback practitioner and PhD candidate in Integrative Medicine and Applied Psychophysiology, she specialises in developmental and neurological disorders, peak performance and neurorehabilitation. Her clinical and scientific focus is on integrating psychoneuroimmunology, epigenetics and brain-computer interface (BCI) technology to provide evidence-based, transformative interventions for children, adults and athletes.

Encephalon's vision and approach

Encephalon was founded with the goal of supporting not only individuals, but entire families and communities, offering highly personalised neurofeedback and BCI interventions. The team is based on integrity, evidence-based practice and person-centred care, and is committed to advancing neurotechnology while creating a supportive environment in which clients can achieve meaningful and lasting improvements in their neurological health and performance. 

Kasia completed her ILF neurofeedback training in London in 2021 and has since made it a central part of her clinical practice. She explains that neurofeedback ‘enables us to support clients across the spectrum – from developmental and neurological challenges to those striving for peak performance.’
 

Transformative Results Through Neurofeedback

Some of the most impactful results at Encephalon have been with clients experiencing Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), Long Covid, and concussion rehabilitation. Guided by QEEG research on neuroinflammation, Kasia uses ILF Neurofeedback to target dysregulated brain networks and support recovery.

Clients report improved memory, attention, and processing speed, along with reduced brain fog and fatigue. Many see gains in coordination, balance, and fine motor skills, while chronic pain, headaches, and sleep disturbances decrease. Kasia notes that for FND patients, seizure frequency and severity are often dramatically reduced, and clients recovering from concussion or Long Covid regain resilience, stamina, and overall neurological stability. These changes translate into real-world benefits—children participate better in school and social activities, adults return to work or sport with confidence, and families experience renewed hope and stability.

Collaboration with BEE Medic

Kasia has been using BEE Medic systems since 2021 and credits them as a cornerstone of her success. She highlights that the team has provided exceptional guidance from the start, always available to answer questions and support the growth of her practice. Their expertise has been invaluable in integrating technologies for regulation and biofeedback, enabling highly personalised care for her clients. She adds that she is “deeply grateful for the quality of both the devices and the ongoing support - they have played a central role in the growth and success of my clinical work.” At Encephalon, neurofeedback is more than a therapy - it’s a bridge between cutting-edge science and compassionate care. By combining rigorous research with a deeply personal approach, Kasia and her team continue to help clients achieve neurological balance, resilience, and optimal performance.

Encephalon
Neurotechnology for Developmental and Neurological Disorders
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: https://encephalon.uk/