Think of it as a fitness evaluation for your brain. In about 30 painless minutes, we see exactly how your brain is performing — and where it could use a little help.
If you have ever wondered what is really going on inside your head, a qEEG brain map gives you the answer. The letters stand for quantitative electroencephalogram — but you can just call it a brain map. It is a painless, non-invasive recording of your brain's natural electrical activity using the same EEG technology used in hospitals worldwide.
Here is the simplest way to think about it: just like you would get blood work before starting a new health program, a brain map gives us a baseline before starting neurofeedback training. It tells us what areas are running too fast, too slow, or out of sync — and it does this by comparing your brain's patterns against a normative database of thousands of healthy brains in your same age range.
The result? A personalized roadmap analyzed through the NewMind platform that shows us precisely where to focus your training, so we are not guessing. This BCIA-standard approach ensures no two training plans are the same.
We know the unknown can feel a little nerve-wracking, so here is exactly what to expect, step by step.
You will sit in a comfortable chair in a quiet room. No MRI tubes, no loud machines, nothing scary. Our office at 908 S Main St in Boerne is designed for comfort. We will chat for a few minutes about your goals and answer any last questions.
We gently place a snug-fitting cap on your head — it looks a bit like a swim cap with small sensors built in. There are 19 sensors positioned according to the international 10-20 system. A small amount of conductive gel helps the sensors pick up the faint electrical signals your brain naturally produces. There are no needles, no shocks, and nothing enters your body.
For about 30 minutes, you simply sit still and relax. We will ask you to close your eyes for a few minutes, then open them. You might be asked to think about a happy memory or a slightly stressful situation — just brief moments that help us see how your brain responds to different states, similar to how clinical EEG studies capture brain activity. The whole time, the sensors are quietly reading the electrical patterns across your scalp.
After the recording, we remove the cap (you are done sitting still!) and the data goes through professional analysis via the NewMind system, which uses real-time artifact rejection for clean, accurate readings. Your brainwave patterns are compared to a normative database of healthy individuals matched to your age and gender. This comparison highlights the areas that are performing well and the areas that may be contributing to your symptoms.
You will receive a detailed, color-coded brain map report. We sit down together and walk through every finding in plain English — no neuroscience degree required. You will see which areas of your brain are overactive, underactive, or out of balance based on z-score analysis, and we will explain how those patterns connect to the challenges you have been facing. Then we create your personalized ISNR-standard neurofeedback training protocol.
Those colorful images are packed with valuable information. Here is what we are looking at:
Are certain areas running too fast (linked to anxiety, racing thoughts) or too slow (linked to brain fog, low motivation)? Research on brainwave frequencies helps us identify these patterns.
Asymmetries between hemispheres can be associated with mood imbalances, emotional regulation challenges, and focus difficulties.
Coherence and phase measures show how well different parts of your brain are talking to each other — poor connectivity can affect memory, processing speed, and attention.
The brain map does not diagnose conditions — but it gives us an objective, visual picture of how your unique brain is functioning, consistent with BCIA clinical guidelines. That picture becomes the foundation for a training plan built specifically for you using qEEG-guided protocols.
Honestly, just about anyone who is curious about their brain health. But here are some of the most common reasons people schedule their $99 brain map:
Not even a little bit. The sensors rest on the surface of your scalp and only read your brain's natural electrical activity, just like a standard clinical EEG. They do not send anything into your brain. The ISNR confirms that most people find it completely comfortable.
Plan for about 45 minutes from the time you walk in. The actual recording is around 30 minutes. The rest is getting you set up and making sure we have a clean signal.
Whatever you are comfortable in. The only thing to keep in mind is that the conductive gel may leave a little residue in your hair, so some people prefer not to come straight from the salon. A simple rinse afterward takes care of it.
Yes, please come with clean hair and avoid heavy styling products like gel, hairspray, or leave-in conditioner. A clean scalp gives us the best signal quality.
Absolutely. Brain mapping is safe and comfortable for children ages 6 and up, as supported by AAP guidelines on neurofeedback for children. Kids are often fascinated by seeing pictures of their own brain activity.
The recording is done the same day, but the full analysis takes a short time to process. We will schedule a follow-up consultation — typically within a week — to walk through your detailed report, answer your questions, and discuss your personalized training plan.
No. An MRI looks at the structure of your brain (the physical tissue). A qEEG looks at the function of your brain (the electrical activity). Think of it this way: an MRI is like looking at a photograph of a highway, while a qEEG is like watching the traffic in real time.
No referral is needed. Anyone can schedule a brain map. If you would like to talk through your situation first, we offer a free 15-minute consultation to help you decide.
Most insurance plans do not cover qEEG brain mapping or neurofeedback. That said, at $99 for the brain map, many families find it is an affordable and valuable investment. We also accept HSA and FSA cards — learn more on our Rivers Edge insurance page.
Your $99 Brain Map is the first step toward understanding your brain and unlocking its potential. It is painless, takes about 30 minutes, and could change the way you think about your mental health. Backed by the same peer-reviewed science used by clinicians worldwide.