Understanding how your brain functions is the first step toward optimizing your mental health and cognitive performance. At Mindstate Psychology, we offer Perth's most advanced brain assessment services, combining cutting-edge QEEG brain scanning technology with sophisticated Evoked Response Potential (ERP) testing to provide unparalleled insight into your neurological functioning.
Our comprehensive brain assessment services are designed for individuals seeking answers about attention difficulties, learning challenges, anxiety, depression, trauma recovery, or those simply wanting to optimize their cognitive performance. Whether you're a parent concerned about your child's focus, a professional seeking peak performance, or someone struggling with mental health symptoms, our advanced brain testing provides the detailed information needed to guide effective treatment.
Quantitative Electroencephalogram (QEEG) brain scanning is a sophisticated, non-invasive neurological assessment that measures the electrical activity of your brain in real-time. Unlike structural brain imaging, such as MRI or CT scans, that show what your brain looks like, QEEG reveals how your brain actually functions by recording the electrical signals naturally produced by your neurons.
During a QEEG brain scan, we place 19-32 sensors across your scalp to record brainwave activity from different regions. This electrical activity is then analysed using advanced computer algorithms and compared against extensive normative databases containing thousands of healthy brain patterns. The result is a detailed "brain map" that highlights areas of optimal function as well as regions that may be under-performing or over-active.
The human brain operates through electrical impulses that create distinct brainwave patterns. These patterns can be measured and categorised into different frequency bands:
When these brainwave patterns are disrupted or imbalanced, various symptoms can emerge. QEEG brain scanning identifies these disruptions with remarkable precision, showing exactly where in the brain irregularities occur and how severe they may be.
While QEEG shows your brain's resting activity, Evoked Response Potential (ERP) testing reveals how your brain performs when challenged with cognitive tasks. This dynamic assessment measures your brain's electrical responses to specific stimuli, providing crucial information about processing speed, attention networks, and cognitive efficiency.
ERP testing is particularly valuable because many cognitive difficulties only become apparent when the brain is "under load". For example, someone with ADHD might show relatively normal resting QEEG patterns, but ERP testing often reveals significant attention network dysfunction that explains their symptoms.
At Mindstate Psychology, we are the only clinic in Perth offering comprehensive QEEG brain scanning combined with Evoked Response Potential testing. This dual-assessment approach provides several critical advantages:
This comprehensive approach means we can identify subtle brain function issues that other assessment methods might miss, leading to more effective and personalised neurofeedback training protocols.
QEEG often reveals characteristic patterns in ADHD, including excessive theta wave activity or insufficient beta wave production in attention-related brain regions. ERP testing can identify specific attention network deficits, working memory limitations, and processing speed issues that explain ADHD symptoms.
QEEG can identify brain patterns associated with various learning challenges, while ERP testing reveals specific processing deficits in areas like phonological processing, visual processing, or working memory that contribute to learning difficulties.
Anxiety typically shows specific brainwave patterns on QEEG, often including hyperactivity in certain regions or imbalanced communication between emotional and cognitive brain centres. ERP testing reveals how anxiety affects information processing, decision-making, and attention control.
Depression frequently involves altered brainwave patterns that QEEG can identify, particularly in regions associated with mood regulation. ERP testing can reveal cognitive symptoms of depression such as slowed processing speed or attention biases toward negative information.
Psychological trauma often creates lasting changes in neural networks that both QEEG and ERP testing can identify. These assessments reveal how trauma affects attention, memory processing, emotional regulation, and threat detection systems. QEEG patterns in PTSD frequently show hyperactivity in threat-detection areas and altered connectivity between emotional and cognitive brain regions.
QEEG and ERP testing provide crucial insights into brain function following traumatic brain injury, concussion, or other forms of brain damage. QEEG often reveals altered brainwave patterns in areas affected by impact or disrupted communication between brain regions, while ERP testing can identify specific cognitive deficits such as slowed processing speed, attention network dysfunction, or executive function impairments that may persist even when structural brain scans appear normal
Individuals on the autism spectrum often show unique brain connectivity patterns on QEEG and distinctive processing profiles on ERP testing. These assessments help understand sensory processing differences, attention patterns, and social cognition variations.
Even individuals without clinical symptoms benefit from brain assessment to identify areas for cognitive enhancement. Our testing can reveal subtle inefficiencies that, when addressed through neurofeedback, lead to improved focus, creativity, decision-making, and overall mental performance.
Mindstate Psychology invests in the highest quality brain assessment technology available:
Dr Phil Watts brings exceptional qualifications to brain assessment interpretation:
This combination of advanced technology and expert interpretation ensures you receive the most accurate and clinically useful brain assessment available in Perth.
Our psychology background gives us a comprehensive understanding of the clinical assessment pathway for a range of conditions, including ADHD and ASD, helping to complement our advanced brain scanning services with broader clinical insights and referral to formal diagnosis (if required).
Dr Phil Watts represents the pinnacle of qualification in brain assessment and neurofeedback. As one of only a few QEEG Diplomats in Western Australia, he brings exceptional expertise to interpreting your brain patterns. His background in both psychology and neurofeedback ensures a comprehensive understanding of how brain function relates to psychological well-being.
We invest in professional-grade assessment equipment that delivers research-quality data. Our EEGer systems and high-resolution recording capabilities provide the detailed information necessary for precise treatment planning. Unlike consumer-grade systems used by some providers, our professional equipment ensures clinical-grade accuracy.
While other Perth clinics may offer QEEG alone, our combination of QEEG brain scanning with ERP testing provides a complete picture of brain function that single-method assessments cannot achieve. This comprehensive approach leads to more accurate treatment recommendations and better outcomes.
Our team's unique combination of clinical psychology training and advanced neurofeedback expertise means we understand both the science of how people think, feel, behave, and learn, as well as the technical aspects of brain assessment. This dual expertise optimally positions us to guide your brain training process through comprehensive understanding of human brains and behavior.
Your QEEG and ERP results directly inform your neurofeedback treatment plan. Rather than using generic protocols based on symptoms alone, we create individualised training programs that target your specific brain patterns:
Throughout your neurofeedback training, we continuously monitor your progress and can adjust protocols based on your brain's response. Follow-up QEEG assessments may be recommended to track neurological improvements and optimise treatment effectiveness.
Yes, QEEG and ERP testing are completely safe and non-invasive. The electrodes only record electrical activity from your brain—they do not deliver any electricity or stimulation. The assessments are suitable for all ages from young children to elderly adults.
QEEG technology has been extensively validated through decades of research and is considered highly reliable when performed by qualified practitioners. Our use of professional-grade equipment and Dr Phil's expertise as a QEEG Diplomat ensures maximum accuracy.
A qEEG is captured like an electroencephalograph (EEG) that a neurologist might conduct. However, it is conducted for a different purpose and uses different stimulation. Medical EEGs are conducted and interpreted differently from the clinical EEG used in this service. A medical EEG assesses brain dysfunctions in real time, while the qEEG works on averages. In addition, if you suspect you may have epilepsy, you will need to see a neurologist before you commence neurofeedback therapy.
QEEGs are not a replacement or alternative for a medical EEG.
While QEEG shows your brain's resting patterns, ERP testing reveals how your brain performs under cognitive demand. ERPs are very stable markers of brain processing captured when the brain is active and can be used as neuro-markers for certain mental health conditions. ERPs are an essential complement to QEEG assessments, and provide a much more comprehensive and accurate assessment of your current brain state.
QEEG and ERP testing do not provide medical diagnoses, as conditions like ADHD or anxiety are diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and behavioural criteria. However, brain assessment can explain why you experience certain symptoms and guide treatment planning.
QEEGs do not replace a formal diagnosis from an appropriate medical or mental health practitioner.
Our QEEG + ERP appointments are scheduled in 90-minute blocks. By far the longest part of the assessment process is the setup - making sure each of the 33 electrodes has a good signal takes time!
The assessment is a comfortable and painless process. You'll sit in a relaxed position while wearing a cap with sensors. During QEEG recording, you'll simply rest with your eyes open or closed. During ERP testing, you'll complete simple computer tasks while we record your brain's responses.
Yes! Many medications affect brainwave patterns, but this can depend on the half-life of the medication and when it was last taken. Please inform us of all medications, supplements, and substances you're taking. QEEG scans are scheduled in the morning, so we may recommend you take your morning dose after the assessment. You will be provided with specific advice before your appointment.
We have extensive experience with children of all ages, including those with sensory sensitivities. Our gentle approach and child-friendly environment help most children complete the assessment successfully. We can discuss accommodation strategies during your initial telephone consultation.
Contact Mindstate Psychology today to discover what advanced brain assessment can reveal about optimizing your mental health, cognitive performance, and overall wellbeing. Our comprehensive QEEG and ERP testing services provide the detailed insights you need to understand your brain and achieve your goals.
Mindstate Psychology is a private practice and does not provide emergency mental health services.
If you're worried about harm toward yourself or others, or you are otherwise experiencing an emergency, please call 000.