Biofeedback is usually a face to face, one on one activity. If you were providing biofeedback prior to the start of social distancing and stay at home orders, things have surely changed drastically for you very quickly. Now what will we do? Many of the people who provide biofeedback also provide psychotherapy. It is much simpler to provide psychotherapy virtually than it is for biofeedback. All you need is for the provider and the client to have a computer, smartphone, or tablet and access to a software program or application like GotoMeeting, Zoom, or Skype. Even though this is considered simple, there can still be impediments. Some clients don’t have smartphones, tablets, or even computers. Some also do not have internet access. If both parties do have access to the necessary technology then the sessions can take place fairly easily and inexpensively.
With biofeedback there is the added requirement of having some kind of biofeedback instrument technology. Most biofeedback providers own and use equipment that costs thousands of dollars that they use with their clients in their office. If you are going to work virtually then the clients need to have a biofeedback instrument at their home. There are less expensive biofeedback devices that don’t have the same features and durability as the in-office professional systems. Devices that I recommend for home or virtual biofeedback cost from $25 – $1,600. There are many differences in devices including what modalities they measure, the type of feedback they give, and data storage and reporting functions.
You also need to decide if you will have your clients purchase or rent the devices from you or directly from an equipment provider. You may also need to provide some basic training for your clients as to how to use the device and how to share data from their training with you.
We may have to do some biofeedback in this way at least temporarily. I believe that this way of working will continue for some clients but not all. Many clients enjoy the face to face experience and would prefer to be there with you. I think that some of the benefit they receive is also from the energy they draw from you when they are in your presence.
When we are able to start seeing clients face to face again, we will need to be more vigilant with our procedures for cleaning sensors, cables, and caps between patients and handling of electrode gels, creams, and pastes to prevent the spread of infection. More providers may decide to wear gloves when prepping and applying sensors to the client’s skin, and removing and cleaning the sensors. Some may also decide to wear masks at least when they first start seeing clients in the office again and we get more guidance from the CDC, Center for Disease Control.
The COVID19 pandemic has brought about very interesting and challenging times and I am sure that we will get through them and be able to work with biofeedback clients face to face again even if it is in a different way.
Please share your thoughts about this topic with me and other readers.
