Frequently asked questions

Here you will find answers to questions that have been asked during MER Biofeedback® therapy.

How long should my initial therapy session be?

Usually, a 60-minute session is sufficient. For children under 12 years old, we recommend a 60-minute session.

We recommend choosing a 90-minute or at least a 75-minute therapy session for those with long-term emotional stress, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, or depression.

These long-term conditions have created very strong negative thought patterns and beliefs. Balancing these stress indicators usually takes longer as more emotional layers have developed.


Why might I feel tired during or after a therapy session?

During a MER Biofeedback® therapy session, deep-seated tensions are released. This release often leads to a relaxation effect, which can make you feel tired, similar to the relief you might feel after a strenuous exam.

When significant and long-standing tensions are relieved, you may feel fatigued for a few days. We recommend going to bed earlier on these days to ensure you receive adequate rest.

Is it possible for emotions such as anger, irritability, and sadness to intensify after a therapy session?

Indeed, in some cases, deep-seated emotions like anger, irritability, and sadness may be released immediately after therapy. This release can bring to the surface new layers of negative thought patterns and emotions. Long-suppressed feelings, perhaps from childhood, may resurface, particularly if the client has previously repressed these emotions. Typically, this intense emotional process lasts for 1-3 days, after which clients often experience a pleasant sense of lightness. 

For instance, during the first session, fears, excessive worry, anxiety, panic, and obsessive thoughts are balanced, which leads to the emergence of pent-up anger, irritability, and unforgiveness. A subsequent session would then focus on balancing anger, irritability, lack of tolerance, victim mentality, and unforgiveness, as well as other related emotional stressors.

Alternatively, the initial session might address anger, irritability, self-deception, victim mentality, and feelings of abandonment, only to reveal an underlying deep sadness that surfaces post-therapy. The subsequent session would then aim to balance these newly emerged feelings of anger and irritability, as well as sadness, melancholy, and distress, while fostering feelings of joy and happiness.

What changes can be expected after therapy, and are the results permanent?

In MER Biofeedback® therapy, we use a sophisticated biofeedback device to balance obsessive thoughts, negative thought patterns, and emotions. This technique not only assists clients in developing new positive thought patterns but also enhances their self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Most clients immediately feel the changes: mental clutter and obsessive thoughts diminish, and a sense of inner peace emerges. The release of tension and stress leads to increased motivation, greater trust in one’s intuition (knowing right from wrong and understanding one’s desires), and the courage to make desired life changes. Clients gain a clearer understanding of themselves, situations, and other people.

Additionally, stress tolerance improves, allowing individuals to relax more effectively and maintain a better balance in their stress and emotions compared to before. Recalling traumas no longer triggers emotional stress or obsessive thoughts. Many of our clients no longer experience fear, anxiety, panic, anger, sadness, anguish, disappointment, a victim mentality, feelings of abandonment, or other negative emotions. The reduction of tension and stress enhances the body’s self-healing capabilities.

Consequently, positive changes typically begin to manifest gradually and smoothly, often within 1-2 months. Clients notice these changes when reflecting on their state before and after MER Biofeedback® therapy sessions, and again a couple of months later. Through self-analysis, clients observe that they react differently to situations and people compared to before. Certain feelings, such as fear, anger, irritability, sadness, and worthlessness, along with other negative emotions, no longer arise. Clients also find they can better control their reactions in various situations and experience increased stress tolerance. Interactions with people change as well; individuals who previously triggered feelings of anger, irritability, disappointment, sadness, and inferiority no longer provoke the same reactions.

Clients often notice changes immediately after therapy, although sometimes the effects are more apparent 2-3 weeks later. After the first session, most clients describe a pleasant sense of calm and mental clarity. The previous mental clutter and obsessive thoughts have subsided.

Based on clients feedback, we have observed that most clients experience significant and lasting changes—new positive ways of thinking, acting, and being—after completing the therapy process, typically after the third session.

 

Additional Information

After therapy, it is crucial that the environment supports the development of new positive thought patterns. If a person returns to the same stressful environment (home, work, kindergarten, or school) which does not foster the formation of new positive thought patterns, old negative patterns (such as anger, sadness, disappointment, worrying, and fears) will soon reappear. As a result, the client might need another therapy session to re-balance these stress indicators.

During the first session, the therapist provides the client with an information sheet titled “New Programs.” This enables the client to start practicing new positive ways of thinking, acting, and being. The information sheet helps the client to find suitable supportive affirmations, discover new positive aspects, and engage in activities that improve their quality of life.

If adjusting or changing the stressful environment is not possible, it is highly recommended to introduce other positive influences into your life: make time for activities and hobbies that interest you. Spending free time with positive, humorous people or supporters, and engaging in enjoyable activities or hobbies with them is highly beneficial. We also recommend various practices for relaxing the mind and body, such as breathing exercises, meditation, listening to relaxing music, massage, yoga, spending time in nature, and walking in the forest.

How many MER Biofeedback® therapy sessions are recommended for issues such as anxiety, panic attacks, fears, phobias, low self-esteem, depression, sadness, grief, mental exhaustion/burnout, excessive worry, anger, irritability, and social or performance anxiety?

The number of therapy sessions required depends on the individual and their specific goals. It particularly depends on the duration and intensity of the disruptive aspects in the client’s life. Long-term emotional tension/stress, anxiety disorders, depression, and negative feelings stemming from childhood can create deeply ingrained negative thought patterns and beliefs. Balancing these stress indicators typically takes longer because there are multiple layers that need addressing.

Most clients notice the impact of therapy immediately after the first session: Mental clutter and obsessive thoughts are quieted, and a sense of inner peace is achieved. After the first session, many of our clients experience a significant reduction (approximately 50-70%) in obsessive thoughts related to fears, anxiety, panic attacks, excessive worry, and anger. Feelings such as sadness, anguish, and melancholy are reduced in most clients (approximately 50-70%), while feelings of joy correspondingly increase (approximately 50-70%).

Tension is also reduced (approximately 50%). Stress resilience has improved (approximately 30-50%), and there is an increase in the desire to act and motivation, meaning a person’s life energy is enhanced (approximately 50%). Clients are able to relax better (approximately 30-50%) and manage their stress levels and emotions more effectively compared to before (approximately 30-50%).

Increased self-control means clients can better manage their reactions in certain situations and towards people. Those who previously reported feelings of anger, irritability, disappointment, and worthlessness find these emotions no longer trigger as before (approximately 50-70%).

During the second therapy session, the therapist retests the major stressors identified in the first session and balances them if necessary. Stressors that have become unbalanced again in the meantime give the therapist ideas and clues on what else to test. The next stressors are balanced, delving deeper into the subconscious layers. The more significant the emotional traumas experienced in recent years, the more noticeable the positive changes are, especially after the second session.

After the second session, people usually notice an increase in well-being and joy. They have more willpower, motivation, and enthusiasm to bring positive and desired changes into their lives. However, these feelings can also manifest after the first or third session. It all depends on the individual and their thought patterns and the extent of them.

For more significant stress/tensions and traumas and shocks experienced, the best results have been achieved, especially after the third session. After the sessions, clients no longer experience emotional stress or obsessive thoughts when recalling traumatic events. If past traumas are recalled, they are like movies seen in the cinema but without emotional stress. Also, different feelings (fears, anxiety, panic, anger, sadness, disappointment, victim mentality, feelings of abandonment, etc.) no longer trigger when hearing, seeing, reading, or encountering information associated with experienced traumas.

Based on client feedback, we recommend a minimum of three sessions for the best results. The interval between two sessions should be three to six weeks, depending on the reason for the visit.

People experiencing long-term anxiety, depression, stressful life or work periods undergo therapy more systematically.

NB! MER Biofeedback® therapy does not replace medical care for anxiety disorders, panic attacks, or depression, as the biofeedback device does not provide medical diagnoses or treat diseases. However, MER Biofeedback® therapy is suitable as a supportive intervention alongside medications, conventional medicine, and natural treatments.

MER Biofeedback® therapy supports mental health, well-being and emotional balance.

The therapy process brings new positive ways of thinking, acting, and being for the client.

Our therapists aim to identify and balance the most important and significant stress indicators (negative thought patterns, beliefs, negative emotions) for the client at the moment, resulting in major positive changes. Clients gain better self-awareness, an enhanced sense of well-being, and a desire to bring positive changes into their lives. Clients have noticed better self-control regarding certain people/situations, increased stress tolerance, a rise in motivation, increased self-belief, understanding, and a sense of presence.

 

Do I need to talk about myself or my traumas during an MER Biofeedback® therapy session?

MER Biofeedback® therapists are trained to identify each client’s unique negative thought and behaviour patterns, limiting beliefs, negative emotions, and obsessive thoughts using the biofeedback device. To the therapist, the client resembles a ‘puzzle’ that gradually unfolds. By testing stress indicators, the therapist discerns which stressors require balancing. Consequently, the client is not required to recall or describe negative life events or traumatic experiences during the session. This therapeutic approach does not necessitate the therapist asking questions or mapping out past events. Therefore, if preferred, the client does not need to speak about anything during the session.

What should I do after therapy to maintain emotional balance and a positive mindset?

It is important to start practising new positive ways of thinking, acting, and being.

In the first session, the therapist provides the client with an information sheet called “New Programs,” so the client can start practising new positive ways of thinking, acting, and being. This information helps the client find suitable supportive affirmations, new positive and supportive aspects, and activities to improve their quality of life.

After your therapy session, we recommend introducing new positive activities into your life to sustain and enhance the benefits. Here are some suggestions:

– Dedicate your free time to engaging in activities and hobbies that capture your interest.

– Explore new experiences—try activities you’ve never done before, visit places you’ve never been, and indulge in hobbies that bring you joy.

– Learn to appreciate moments of silence and take time for yourself, whether it’s listening to the sound of the sea, birdsong, or soothing music, particularly if you lead a fast-paced life.

– Spend time with positive, humorous people who support you, and participate in exciting activities or hobbies together.

– Incorporate practices that relax both the mind and body, such as listening to relaxing music, spending time in nature, walking in the forest, practicing breathing exercises, meditating, doing yoga, or enjoying a massage.

– Make conscious choices about the activities you undertake and the company you keep—avoid people and places that drain your energy. Choose to be around friends who are caring, encouraging, and respectful, and distance yourself from those who are malicious or envious.

– Establish your own boundaries in communication with loved ones; it’s okay to say, “Let’s change the subject, please” or “I’m tired today and need to rest”.

– Stay physically active according to your abilities and opportunities, including spending as much time as possible outdoors.

– Ensure you get sufficient sleep.

– Maintain a varied and balanced diet that focuses on your body’s needs rather than simply satisfying appetites. Be mindful of everything you consume, in every sense of the word.

 

Do I feel an electric current in my body or head during a MER Biofeedback® therapy session?

During a session, clients do not feel any electric current in their bodies or head because MER Biofeedback® therapy uses a low electric current (low frequencies) similar to that used in EKG devices or newer smartwatches. The use of the biofeedback device causes no discomfort, and most clients feel relaxed during and after the session.

Importantly, MER Biofeedback® therapy does not involve the transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS/brain stimulation) therapy, which delivers a constant low-intensity direct current via scalp electrodes. This technique may cause clients to experience a tingling sensation and slight buzzing in their head.

 

Is the therapy safe?

MER Biofeedback® therapy using the device is a safe, non-invasive, and non-manipulative method with no negative side effects.

 

Does MER Biofeedback® therapy stimulate or affect my brain?

In MER Biofeedback® therapy, the brain is not directly stimulated. Unlike transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) therapy, which employs a weak electrical current to stimulate the brain, MER Biofeedback® therapy concentrates on addressing the client’s negative thought forms, emotions, limiting beliefs, and tensions.

 

Does therapy change a person’s basic being or personality?

MER Biofeedback® therapy does not alter the fundamental essence or personality of an individual. Instead, it balances stress and tension, negative thought patterns, emotions, and limitations created by life experiences, including traumas.

 

Can MER Biofeedback® therapy be used with medications, supplements, and other therapies?

As MER Biofeedback® supports and complements other medical and naturopathic treatment methods. Therefore, it can be used alongside allopathic and homeopathic treatments, body therapies, counselling, and various other treatment methodologies.

 

What distinguishes MER Biofeedback® therapy from other biofeedback therapies?

EEG-Biofeedback, or Neurofeedback, is widely used globally. This non-invasive approach maps the brain and understands its dynamics. By measuring and evaluating brain activity with real-time electroencephalograms (EEG), this therapy helps individuals gradually retrain their brain activity and improve brain self-regulation. In most cases, positive changes are observed within 20-60 sessions. Many EEG-Biofeedback devices are medical biofeedback devices, and therapy sessions are conducted by certified medical professionals. MER Biofeedback® therapy, practiced at the Lifekeskus, supports mental health by balancing emotional stress using a biofeedback device. MER Biofeedback® therapists employ the biofeedback device to identify and balance negative thought patterns, beliefs, and negative emotions that have developed over a lifetime. The biofeedback device has been issued with a CE conformity certificate, which is valid throughout the EU. MER Biofeedback® therapy has emerged from over 20 years of research and development, combining contemporary knowledge of quantum physics with the principles of biofeedback, cognitive, and somatic therapy. The creator of MER Biofeedback® therapy, Estonian Ülle Toomeoja, has been dedicated to practising biofeedback therapy since 2003, conducting more than 17,000 therapy sessions. Today, this practice has evolved into MER Biofeedback® therapy, which was registered as a trademark in June 2023 and is practiced at the Lifekeskus. For more information, visit www.MERbiofeedback.com.

We are pioneers in the field of biofeedback therapy in Estonia