Notice That Neurofeedback + EMDR: A Conversation with Leigh Povia
Dec 2, 2025
Leigh Povia, a licensed clinical social worker and neurofeedback clinician, shares her expertise on trauma therapy. She demystifies neurofeedback, explaining how it mirrors brain states and aids in self-regulation. Leigh discusses its role in enhancing EMDR therapy when clients feel stuck. She shares a compelling case of a child finding calm through neurofeedback, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining therapeutic relationships. With practical insights on integrating neurofeedback into practice, her message is both enlightening and relatable for clinicians.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Case That Sparked A New Path
- Leigh Povia describes one child case that pushed her to learn neurofeedback after traditional tools failed.
- She persisted despite feeling out of depth and eventually mentored with Ed Hamlin, which changed her practice.
Start Even If You Feel Unprepared
- Do jump into neurofeedback even if you feel like a fish out of water and plan for a learning curve.
- Seek mentors and expect to feel incompetent at first; continued training reveals overlaps with EMDR.
Neurofeedback Acts As A Mirror
- Neurofeedback mirrors brain activity via a simple game-like interface so clients learn to self-regulate.
- Leigh emphasizes it acts as an external mirror rather than directly controlling the brain.
