Neurofeedback by Dr. Shames is not only the most powerful and effective treatment for my severe insomnia and anxiety, it's also amazingly the easiest and most pleasant possible treatment! I've been to Dr. Shames for a series of treatments a few times over the last decade. When I go it's because my level of stress and tension has for some reason risen above a threshold that makes it not only impossible for me to sleep, but causes me so much anxiety that I feel like I can't breathe or sit still let alone lie down let alone rest. This feels unbearable. Each time after a series of treatments I'm back to normal, sleeping through the night and feeling free of my anxiety disorder. Having a happy life restored is priceless. One sits down in a comfy chair and watches a video of your choice (I watch nature videos) while a couple sensors are taped to your head and a computer apparently senses one's brainwaves. Then the video dims or flickers some amount, apparently when the computer senses that one's brain activity isn't in healthy balance. At first I guessed that my brain didn't like the flickering, but apparently the brain understands that the flickering is information on how it can adjust to a healthy balance. I've tried many other things including acupuncture and massage, but none are anywhere near as relaxing or effective. Even if you're not in crisis, I suspect everyone could benefit from a Neurofeedback tune-up! I also appreciate Dr. Shames' calm and true compassion. read more

I live too far from Dr. Shames for a regular series of treatments but managed to work in 5 visits with him on a recent stay in Berkeley. I've done other forms of neurofeedback before with mild to moderate results, but wow, this really works! I have suffered from insomnia --waking many times a night for around seven years. I sometimes have trouble falling asleep, even with melatonin. I awaken every 2 hours or so and rarely feel deeply rested. After only four sessions of Carl's ILF neurofeedback, I began sleeping 6.5 to 7 hours each night! I also felt less irritable and more relaxed during the day. For me, the effects are similar to what I experienced after mindfulness meditation retreats: a feeling of peace, of being awake and aware, but not hyper-vigilant. I am more reflective and less reactive, with the freedom to choose my responses to life's challenges. Dr. Shames told me that it would likely take more than five visits for my brain to hold the new patterns so I am prepared for that and will update when I return to the East Bay and can do more sessions with him. read more

A close friend was widowed and fell into a deep depression for a few years. She discovered neurofeedback and I was amazed at the transformation. It was striking. She is today calm, confident and alert. So I sought out local neurofeedback here in Berkeley and came across Dr Carl Shames' practice. I am so glad to have found him! I was seeking help with anxiety and support also for my own meditation practice. On Dr Shames' advice, I completed the minimum 15 sessions between October and December 2023. Just after the 3rd or 4th session, I felt a huge sense of calm come over me. After that, it was not as dramatic, but there were more changes -- subtle but unmistakeable. I suddenly wanted no more than 1 cup of tea. I would go into certain patterns of worrying and then somehow I'd feel this swing sensation, something like "not that", and I'd feel less stuck in the worrying. I wish I could convince all my family and friends to try this. There is a cost, of course, and it's not yet covered by insurance. But it should be. Watching the videos in Dr. Shames' office is a very peaceful experience, and I learned interesting information about his particular form of neurofeedback (ILF). I hope in the future it becomes more mainstream and receives institutional recognition and support, so that it becomes affordable for more people. read more

When I first went to see Carl (5 years ago?) I had been awake for FIVE DAYS STRAIGHT. I was a mess. Things started to get better with my sleep pretty much right away, and I have continued to go in for treatments anywhere from twice a week at the beginning to every couple of months now. Carl says I am a "special case," and that he has not known anyone who needs as much neurofeedback as I do. :-) Carl has also treated my son and he is exceptionally good with children (you can tell how much he loves them). Carl has given me wonderful advice about supplements for sleep as well as adrenal fatigue and blood sugar issues that disrupt my slumber. Carl is a quirky, kind man who loves what he does and I highly recommend that you give neurofeedback a try. It's not cheap, but I think it's VERY worth the expense! And, you get to watch movies during your treatment! read more

Writing this review for Dr. Carl Shames is an honor for me and I feel extremely lucky to have been referred to Dr. Shames. I finally devoted the time to explore what neurofeedback and biofeedback were all about. I was skeptical at first because this is a fairly new technology and there are not that many experts. At first, my hope was for neurofeedback to help me increase my attention span but later I realized that I got other benefits from it that eventually proved to be more important. I was aware that there was no proven link between neurofeedback and attention but I was ready to explore. Most practitioners of this new field in the Bay Area work outside of San Francisco. After calling several of them to inquire about their fees, I realized that I could not afford to drive or to take BART on a regular basis and pay their expensive fees. I was almost giving up when someone recommended that I meet with Dr. Shames whose fee is much less than others but provides exactly the same service as others with hefty fees. After a few sessions with Dr. Shames, I started to notice the effects. I had become calmer and less reactive to unpleasant, disappointing, and unexpected events in my life. I noticed I was less emotionally eruptive and less irritable during my PMS which was huge for me. I can personally attest to have observed Dr. Shames as a caring clinician who will listen to his clients' needs and goals and will do his best to help his client to achieve them. I can recommend Dr. Shames with unlimited enthusiasm for anyone who is interested in freeing themselves of the reactivity and anger that gets in the way of having peaceful, harmonious and loving relationships. Dr. Shames himself is incredibly peaceful and exudes a calm and collected demeanor. I can recommend Dr. Shames with unlimited enthusiasm for anyone who is interested in transforming their lives especially to women who tend to become extremely angry and irritable during their PMS. In my search for the perfect fit as the neurofeedback clinician, I met a lot of intelligent experts. But I had not met another individual who combined more naturally the attributes most sought in a neurofeedback clinician. His office is modest because he does not charge an arm and a leg like others in the field. At first, I also noticed a few minor side effects such as delay in sleep and a minor sadness that was temporary but overall my symptoms of anger, irritability, and reactivity were reduced and I had become more peaceful, calmer, less reactive, and happier individual in my relationships. You just have to go for it and see for yourself. I am excited for you to make 2010 the year when you explore something new that could transform your relationships. You are in good hands with Dr. Shames. read more

If you have a child who may suffer from ADD, ADHD, OCD, depression, anxiety, or many other neurological difficulties, even if you haven't gone the traditional route and gotten them diagnosed, I would strongly urge you to consider neurofeedback with Dr. Shames. His practice is very casual, in a pretty funky little office, but that is offset by the fact that he charges a fraction of what other practitioners do. The bottom line is that this stuff works! It is relatively non-invasive, and children enjoy it, since it is just like playing a video game, albeit a rather boring one, with some electrodes on the outside of their head. Basically the brain adjusts itself, and eventually learns where it needs to do so in order to function in a way that's better suited to everyday life. At the same time, it does not seem to diminish the spontaneity, joy, or depth of feeling that the child exhibits. I have watched my son go from a really wonderful kid with kinda lousy impulse control and infinite distractability to a really wonderful kid who can focus on school tasks and stay out of people's faces. His teachers and friends (and I) have noticed a dramatic difference. He is able to take direction the 1st or 2nd time, instead of the 25th. His grades have risen, and I am not nearly so tired! Dr. Shames is not a businessman, and doesn't really bother promoting himself very actively, so I'm sure he relies mostly on word of mouth. He also treats adults, although I haven't had any personal experience with that. If you are opposed, as I am, to more pathologizing and pharmaceutical treatments for kids,but still know that your child could use a little support, this is a great alternative. read more

I do feel bad being the first one to give a subpar review, but I felt compelled since I personally went off these great reviews. I thought Dr. Shames was indifferent, and literally told me I'm not here as a therapist, after I explained my insomnia and anxiety, at his request. I thought that was very insensitive. Additionally, when I asked him about the therapy, it was like pulling teeth, he basically said all we know is that it works, and that I need to just be ok not understanding why. I can be understanding if there is no research to explain why it works, but getting defensive and rude when patients inquire as to why a therapy works is unprofessional. Ultimately, I think neurofeedback therapy could be very beneficial, but I did not feel emotionally safe in this therapeutic environment. read more

I have nothing but good things to say about Carl Shames. Although my brain is stubborn and I have not been able to fix my insomnia, both the treatment and how Carl approaches things have been helpful during tough times. I am a severe insomniac, I've been told that I probably have one of the worst cases, inability to nap, taking as much as 5-7 hours to fall sleep if lucky and not being able to sleep for more than 20 min increments, totally on average 0-3 hours a night. When I came to Carl, I was very reluctant. I've tried every treatment from CBT to reiki and hypnosis... How is this going to be any different and I had a hard time wrapping around the idea that shifting lights on the screen was going to send messages to my brain to train it to produce slower waves. To my surprise the first session I could feel a calming sensation and I do notice a difference between when the electrodes are on or off. But after some time, I became a very "stubborn" patient and we weren't yielding the results we were looking for. Regardless of that Carl has been with me through thick and thin. In the past 24 years of my life, I've never met a practitioner who spent so much time and energy on the well being of his patient. Carl is not interested in money, he has a sliding scale and if he feels things didn't work, he would not charge me. Even after I stopped seeing him, he continues to lend support and is thoroughly interested in helping me to finding a solution. He goes far to look for other practitioners and ask for advice so he can pass them down to you. No other doctor I've seen has done that. Carl is honest and will do anything he can to help you even if it means it will compromise his schedule, or so it seems from my impression. Thanks Carl! read more

If you have insomnia, anxiety, ADHD, or PTSD, this is amazing. Carl is compassionate, a good listener, and genuinely interested in his patients. I was skeptical, it seems too good to be true, but this has helped me resolve some issues in only a few weeks. I chose Carl because he seems genuinely interested in helping people and he's willing take patients on a sliding scale, which I couldn't find elsewhere. read more

I came to Dr. Shames with complaints about insomnia so severe that I could no longer function at my job and was afraild to drive as I was falling asleep in the car after 15 minutes on the freeway. And driving was the only case when I had no trouble falling asleep! I had no high hopes for neurofeedback as I had tried several medical treatments that failed. Per Dr. Shames' own admission, my case was one of the toughest he ever handled. Results speak for themselves: after about 5 sessions, I started sleeping better. After 14 sessions, I no longer need treatment. After a good night of sleep, I feel fresh when I get up in the morning and my overall outlook at life is much more positive. Dr. Shames is a true healthcare professional in the best sense of the term. He really cares about his patients and he puts his heart and soul into his work. He is highly intelligent and was creative and persistent in finding the solution for the challenging puzzle which my insomnia presented. I talked to several practitioners before I contacted Dr. Shames, and from his first response to my email I knew I could trust him. His office is not upscale, his fees are very reasonable, but you are getting a top-notch treatment. read more

Carl is great- I really like him. That said, the treatment was slightly oversold. I came to him for help with getting off of medication for psychiatric issues, and while helpful, it was not a cure all. I did many more sessions than I originally had thought I would do and ended up with moderate results. I think neurofeedback is real, but is better for some issues than others, and you don't know until you have gone through the time and money commitment. read more

I came to Dr. Shames with complaints about insomnia so severe that I could no longer function at my job and was afraild to drive as I was falling asleep in the car after 15 minutes on the freeway. And driving was the only case when I had no trouble falling asleep! I had no high hopes for neurofeedback as I had tried several medical treatments that failed. Per Dr. Shames' own admission, my case was one of the toughest he ever handled. Results speak for themselves: after about 5 sessions, I started sleeping better. After 14 sessions, I no longer need treatment. After a good night of sleep, I feel fresh when I get up in the morning and my overall outlook at life is much more positive. Dr. Shames is a true healthcare professional in the best sense of the term. He really cares about his patients and he puts his heart and soul into his work. He is highly intelligent and was creative and persistent in finding the solution for the challenging puzzle which my insomnia presented. I talked to several practitioners before I contacted Dr. Shames, and from his first response to my email I knew I could trust him. His office is not upscale, his fees are very reasonable, but you are getting a top-notch treatment. read more

I cannot say enough about how helpful our sessions with Dr. Carl Shames have been. I have never seen such an effective and pleasant process. We brought our six year old son who was having anxiety trouble adjusting to first grade. He has always been a highly sensitive child and takes longer than most to transition, but this time it was worsening as time went on. We were facing the possibility of removing him from school. After the first few sessions we saw the fear begin to diminish. He became more able to calm himself and think through problems logically. His focus has improved and teachers have noticed the progress in his schoolwork. His reactions are tempered instead of over the top. He is able to face challenges with confidence. It is such a huge gift for a child to be free of anxiety and able to be themselves. Dr. Shames was easy and fun to work with. We really appreciate that he does not try to see patients any longer than necessary. This process was relatively short and affordable compared to the indefinite timeline of traditional therapy. We are also having an easier time as parents. There are so many benefits from calming the nervous system. The repercussions are endless. Any parents of children with anxiety, attention, self-regulation, anger or OCD challenges should consider this first! read more

I have had a great experience working with Dr. Shames. He knows a lot about neurotherapy and is very conscientious and sincere in his work. I especially like that he has studied and uses the Othmer EEG protocol and method which is great. I am much calmer and more peaceful since I have done the sessions with Dr. Shames. What's great about neurotherapy is that you can see the results happening within the first few sessions; I like that a lot. His fees are super reasonable and he's a cool and very low-key person, which puts you at ease. Thanks Dr. Shames for the good work! read more

A friend insisted we try neurotherapy for our daughter, and I'm so glad we did. It's very easy and low key for her (she doesn't have to "talk about it") but this improbable treatment has given her noticeable calm and resilience. Dr Shames' calm and patient manner is a balm in itself. It's not a fancy office and he doesn't pretend to know exactly how it works, but there's something to it. I'm grateful for his help! read more