When you’ve lived through combat, your brain doesn’t just return to normal once you’re home. The stress, the hypervigilance, and the nightmares can linger long after a ‘mission’ ends – this is usually diagnosed at PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). And of course this experience can adversely affect the lives of defence personnel as well as their families. But there is good news. The brain is incredibly adaptable and with the right tools, it can heal. We have worked with veterans using neurofeedback and it is one of the most powerful trauma therapies we have used. It is a gentle, non-invasive method of helping veterans to retrain their brains and reclaim their lives.
Origins of Trauma Therapy
Trauma therapy has its origins in the early 20th century. Psychologists have learned from the unique and extreme experiences and observations of distress in soldiers returning from war. Terms like “shell shock” and “combat fatigue” highlighted the lasting impact of extreme stress. In the 1980s post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was recognised in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III) and this marked a turning point in trauma therapy.
Available Trauma Therapies for PTSD
Over time, therapies have emerged which integrate neuroscience, psychotherapy and body-based practices to support trauma recovery. These are namely EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing); Somatic Experiencing; Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); CRM (Comprehensive Resource Model); and DBR (Deep Brain Reorienting). However in a never-decreasing desire to find the best, most effective and fast-acting therapy, we brought neurofeedback into our practice. We now work exclusively with Neurofeedback, DBR and more recently Bio-resonance therapies.
Neurofeedback in Brief
At its core, neurofeedback is brain training. It’s a type of biofeedback that uses real-time displays of brain activity, via an EEG. This process teaches your brain to function more optimally, a bit like a gym workout for your nervous system.. For those coping with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – especially from combat exposure – neurofeedback offers a way to rebalance brainwave activity and support better emotional regulation, sleep, and focus.
Why Combat Stress Changes the Brain
Military personnel are trained for high energy, near-death situations, and in the field they must adapt to stay alert and responsive. This is a survival mechanism. But once out of the combat zone, that same hypervigilance can become overwhelming, not to mention the real-life traumatic experiences of war and combat. This overwhelm leads to PTSD in the form of anxiety, sleep problems, flashbacks, and difficulty connecting with others. PTSD is a reflection of the brain doing what it had to do to keep you alive and trauma therapies, including Neurofeedback, understand this. Neurofeedback doesn’t “erase” those experiences – it helps the brain regain flexibility and stability so you’re no longer stuck in a survival loop.
Changes in Combat Stress & PTSD after Neurofeedback Sessions
Clients, veterans and others diagnosed with PTSD, often describe feeling calmer, more present, and more in control. Many report:
- Improved sleep—fewer nightmares and more restful rest; sleeping through the night
- Reduced anxiety—less jumpiness and fewer panic episodes; less overwhelm in shops and social settings
- Better focus and clarity—especially in daily routines or work
- Emotional balance—being less reactive and more connected with loved ones
These shifts can be life-changing. Neurofeedback offers hope, change and sustained resilience and recovery. There are no pills, no exposure techniques or invasive procedures. If you’d like to find out more, there’s a chapter in Hanno W. Kirk’s book ‘Restoring the Brain’ (2015) titled “The Use of Neurofeedback for Combat Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress” Anna Benson and Tamsen W. LaDou