BrainAvatar vs. LENS Neurofeedback: Which Is Right for You?

To determine which treatment is best suited for your needs, there are a few important things to consider, such as what improvements you are seeking, what session environment you prefer, and the results of your completed brain map. Those whose main goals are to be more attentive or emotionally regulated may be good candidates for BrainAvatar, while those who want to improve sleep, executive functioning, or a variety of other things may be more interested in LENS. 

First, the Short Version 

LENS and BrainAvatar are both types of neurofeedback software that train your brain to regulate itself. A qEEG is completed to evaluate your current state of brainwaves and assists in the development of a treatment plan best suited for you: BrainAvatar or LENS. Both are non-invasive and completely painless. BrainAvatar is an active individual treatment, where a client sits alone for up to thirty minutes and watches a movie or listens to audio. LENS, on the other hand, is a passive treatment where a technician is present in the room. The sessions are shorter, there is no active involvement, and the technician is in the room to monitor brainwave activity and send feedback.  

At-a-Glance Comparison 

Feature	BrainAvatar	LENS
How It Works	Conditioning through rewarding the brain with sounds/colors	Sends the brain’s frequency back to the brain to help teach it to be more receptive to change.
What It Feels Like	Nothing	Nothing
Active vs. Passive	Active	Passive
Average Session Length	30 minutes	15 minutes
Who it May Suit	People hoping to increase attention or mood regulation	Anyone
Approved for Pregnant People?	Yes!	More research is needed
FDA Status	Approved	Approved

 BrainAvatar Neurofeedback (Traditional / Active Training) 

BrainAvatar is a traditional method of neurofeedback. It uses operant-conditioning and works by manipulating stimuli to reward the brain for “good” brainwave activity. Brainwave activity is monitored through electrodes that are placed on the scalp. These electrodes send activity readings through a translation box, converting the brainwaves into readable signals on a computer. 

There are two different ways we reward the brain, depending on what we are training the brain to do. For attention, the brain is rewarded with a visual reward, such as brighter colors. For emotional regulation, the brain is rewarded with an auditory reward, like a pleasant sound. At Cognitive Solutions LC, we offer watching movies or audio listening to achieve this. When watching movies, you choose the movie you watch. The movie is originally set to grey scale, and when optimal brain activity occurs, which is achieved by paying attention to the movie, the movie switches to color. For audio listening, you can choose between guided meditation and spa music. This pleasant stimulus rewards the mind, resulting in repetition of this positive brainwave activity overtime. Because there is a conscious effort to focus on the movie, BrainAvatar is a form of active training. We use the BrainAvatar software to complete brain mapping as well. 

LENS Neurofeedback (Low Energy Neurofeedback System / Directive) 

LENS is a passive type of neurofeedback. It works by delivering a very weak electromagnetic signal, about the frequency of a phone signal, to the brain through electrodes. The software used determines your brain’s dominant frequency and delivers a slightly weaker version of that frequency, causing the brainwave to be more adaptive. At Cognitive Solutions LC, LENS treatment is done through a series of mini rounds, with different parts of the brain being targeted and treated during each of these sessions.  

How many rounds someone needs is variable from person to person, which is why we track progress regularly and check in throughout treatment. Due to the shorter session times and the passive nature of this treatment, people who struggle to sit still for too long or have short attention spans can benefit from beginning with LENS. Though side effects are uncommon, they typically include fatigue and mild headache following your session.  

How We Help You Choose: Your qEEG Decides   

Whether a client proceeds with BrainAvatar or LENS is dependent on the results of a qEEG. During an initial intake, you will meet with the head neurofeedback clinician for a consultation, followed by a qEEG. The qEEG is a brain mapping tool our team uses to determine which waves are acting abnormally and where these anomalies are occurring within the brain. The results of the qEEG, along with individual goals and presenting symptoms, help the provider determine which treatment plan the client is best suited for. The provider will then present the data and recommendations to the client. It is at this point that the client can ask questions, voice concerns, and share thoughts on the plan presented.  

Why This Matters: CSLC Offers Both Systems 

Cognitive Solutions LC is among the few clinics in Chicago that offer both BrainAvatar and LENS. With treatment being individualized and guided by an initial qEEG, our multidisciplinary team is ready to support a wide range of improvement goals. Cognitive Solutions LC has a comprehensive team of qualified providers in a variety of specialties, with the head of the neurofeedback department being a licensed clinical professional counselor with over six years of neurofeedback experience. Plus, we are located in beautiful Lincoln Park easily accessible via CTA or car!  

Which One Is Right for You? 

Deciding which treatment is best for you is not something you have to do alone. There are positives to each treatment and just because you start with a specific one does not necessarily mean you cannot switch to a different protocol down the line. Some clients find that with BrainAvatar, they feel more in control of the treatment since they are actively engaging in the outcome of each session. With LENS, the treatment trains the whole head, making it possible to see progress in various aspects of your life, not just attention or emotional regulation. With a neurofeedback team ready to help make sure you are informed about the treatments that we offer, and data to guide your decision with professional recommendations, we will be happy to assist in determining which would be a better fit for you. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is BrainAvatar or LENS better?

One isn’t necessarily better than the other, and each client responds to treatment differently. The better fit is going to be mainly dependent on the client and their goals. 

Which neurofeedback therapy method has more sessions, BrainAvatar or LENS?

LENS starts with fewer sessions and lower session times, but in terms of progress, each person progresses differently. 

 Is LENS neurofeedback safe for children?

Yes! At Cognitive Solutions LC, we see children as young as 6 for our neurofeedback services. 

Can BrainAvatar or LENS neurofeedback be combined or switched?

There are some clients who benefit from both. Typically, clients will begin with LENS and switch to brainAvatar. 

Is LENS neurofeedback safe during pregnancy?

Due to the limited research on LENS with pregnant people, Cognitive Solutions LC does not perform LENS in these cases, but BrainAvatar can still be useful for pregnant individuals! 

Are BrainAvatar or LENS FDA-approved?

Yes, both treatments are FDA approved. 

Not Sure Which Is Right? Let Your Brain Map Tell Us 

We would love to help you decide if neurofeedback is a good fit. Schedule an intake to learn more. A brain map can tell us a lot about your current brain wave patterns and where we should potentially focus your treatment on. We would be happy to go over any questions you may have during a consultation.