qEEG assessment
Brain Mapping for Mental Health Treatment at Ambrosia
Quantitative EEG brain mapping records the brain’s electrical activity and turns it into a map clinicians use to plan targeted treatment.
About this therapy
Brain mapping
Brain mapping — qEEG, or quantitative electroencephalography — records the brain’s electrical patterns through scalp electrodes and subjects them to statistical analysis. Unlike a standard EEG, qEEG quantifies the activity, identifying patterns associated with different cognitive, emotional, and behavioral states.
Brain mapping measures the activity between neurons — the messaging that creates brain waves — to help clinicians find areas that are not communicating effectively. It is non-invasive, and its main use here is practical: pinpointing the zones that could benefit from neurofeedback and informing an individualized treatment plan.
Brain mapping is performed at the Neuroscience Institute at Ambrosia in West Palm Beach, where the resulting qEEG maps guide neurofeedback and the rest of the treatment plan.
What a qEEG measures
The recorded data is represented as maps of brain-wave activity across frequency bands — delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma — each associated with different states such as sleep, relaxation, focus, and alertness. Analysis covers both the power of each band and the synchronization between brain regions.
By comparing an individual’s profile to normative data, clinicians can identify deviations associated with conditions like ADHD, depression, and anxiety — one input among several in assessment and treatment planning, not a diagnosis by itself.
What a session looks like
You sit in a comfortable, quiet room while a cap — it resembles a swim cap, with 19 electrode positions filled with gel — is placed on your head. Then you sit quietly for a recording of about 20 minutes; the whole appointment takes roughly an hour.
The raw signals are processed into topographical maps of brain-wave activity. Results take about a week to produce, and a clinician goes over them with you in person.
Common questions
Does it hurt?
No. The cap and gel are painless and non-invasive — nothing punctures the skin, and there is no residue beyond the gel, which washes out.
Can I take my medications?
Yes — but if you take a stimulant medication, talk with staff first; you may be asked to wait until after the session.
What about wigs or extensions?
A wig would need to be removed; hair extensions are possible but should be discussed with staff before the session.
When do I get results?
Maps take about one week to produce, and someone walks through them with you rather than mailing a report.
How the results guide treatment
The point of mapping is precision. By identifying the specific areas where activity deviates from the norm, treatment — neurofeedback in particular — can be targeted to the zones that need it, aiming to maximize benefit while minimizing side effects. The maps also give the care team an objective baseline to measure progress against as treatment continues.
Ready to talk with admissions?
Admissions is available 24/7 to answer questions about mental health and substance use treatment options.