LENS Treatment

by Thomas Lee Abshier, ND and AI
6/3/2025

Philosophy of Treatment Using LENS (Low Energy Neurofeedback System)

The treatment philosophy with LENS is grounded in the understanding that the brain is a dynamic, interconnected, and highly individualized organ with remarkable plasticity and complexity. Rather than viewing the brain as a compartmentalized machine with predictable, linear cause-and-effect responses, this approach recognizes its non-linear, adaptive nature. LENS aims to facilitate the brain’s natural ability to self-regulate by lifting suppression—patterns of inflexibility in brainwave activity that manifest as rigid thoughts, emotions, or behaviors. By delivering inverse electromagnetic signals to specific brain sites, LENS acts as a gentle catalyst, akin to rebooting a system, encouraging the brain to release stuck patterns and restore flexible, resilient functioning.

This philosophy emphasizes:

1. Holistic Integration: The brain operates as a whole, not as isolated regions. Suppression at one site (e.g., F7 for verbal expression) may influence a wide range of symptoms, such as depression or emotional regulation, but the effects of treatment are not confined to a single “button-push” outcome. Treatment outcomes emerge from the cumulative interplay of sessions and the brain’s unique response.
2. Individualized Exploration: Each client’s experience of suppression is unique, shaped by their life history, environment, and learned patterns. Therapy involves guiding clients to reflect on how suppression manifests in their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, fostering self-awareness and empowerment.
3. Dynamic Balance: Lifting suppression may lead to a temporary “pendulum effect,” where brain activity swings to an opposite extreme (e.g., sudden emotional expression after numbness) before settling into a balanced, flexible state. This is a natural part of the brain’s recalibration process.
4. Non-Clinical Accessibility: Relative analogies (e.g., muscle cramps, water park geysers) and non-technical language help clients understand and engage with the process, making it approachable and collaborative.
5. Trust in the Process: The brain’s complexity means outcomes are not always predictable or immediate. Treatment involves working systematically across multiple brain sites, trusting that the brain will integrate the changes in its own time and way, often in conjunction with supportive therapy or coaching.

The ultimate aim is to enhance neuro flexibility, enabling clients to move through life with greater emotional, cognitive, and behavioral adaptability, free from the constraints of rigid, suppressed patterns.

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Protocol for LENS Treatment

The following protocol outlines a structured yet flexible approach to using LENS, based on the provided insights and aligned with the treatment philosophy. It integrates client education, systematic site treatment, and reflective processing to maximize outcomes.

Step 1: Initial Assessment and Client Education

• Brain Mapping: Use EEG-based brain mapping to identify areas of suppression (inflexible brainwave patterns) across 21 standard LENS sites (e.g., F7, O2, etc.). Generate bar graphs to visualize suppression for discussion with the client.
• Client Education:
  • Explain suppression as brainwave inflexibility, using analogies like muscle cramps (stuck brain sites) or a water park geyser (suppression and release dynamics).
  • Describe how suppression manifests in real life: rigid thought patterns (e.g., intrusive thoughts, replaying scenarios), emotional extremes (e.g., outbursts or numbness), or behavioral rigidity (e.g., needing routines to feel in control).
  • Introduce the pendulum effect: When suppression lifts, temporary overcorrections (e.g., crying after numbness, surges of energy) may occur as the brain recalibrates.
  • Clarify that the brain is not a push-button system; outcomes are non-linear and influenced by the cumulative effect of sessions and the client’s unique history.
• Set Expectations: Emphasize that LENS is a process, not a quick fix. Changes may be subtle or profound, immediate or delayed, often amplified by reflective therapy.

Step 2: Treatment Planning

• Site Selection: Plan to address all 21 LENS sites over the course of treatment, as each site contributes to the brain’s overall flexibility. Prioritize sites with the highest suppression based on the initial map, but remain open to adjusting based on client feedback and progress.
• Session Frequency: Typically, conduct 1–2 sessions per week, each lasting 30–60 minutes, depending on the client’s tolerance and response. A full course may involve 10–20 sessions, with reassessments every 5–10 sessions.
• Integration with Therapy: Pair LENS with reflective therapy or coaching to help clients process changes and connect brainwave shifts to real-life improvements.

Step 3: LENS Session Protocol

1. Pre-Session Check-In (5–10 minutes):
   • Ask the client about recent changes in thoughts, emotions, or behaviors since the last session (e.g., “Have you noticed shifts in how you react to stress?”).
   • Discuss the target site for the session and invite the client to reflect on how suppression at that site might manifest in their life. For example, for F7 (verbal expression): “Do you find it hard to express your thoughts or feelings? How might that connect to your experiences?”
2. LENS Application (10–20 minutes):
   • Use the LENS device to deliver low-energy electromagnetic signals (inverse of the brain’s dominant frequency) to the target site for 1–5 seconds per site, as per standard LENS protocol.
   • Monitor the client for any immediate reactions (e.g., relaxation, mild discomfort) and adjust signal duration or intensity if needed.
   • Treat 1–4 sites per session, depending on the client’s sensitivity and the treatment plan.
3. Post-Session Reflection (5–10 minutes):
   • Ask the client to notice any immediate sensations or shifts (e.g., “Do you feel different in any way right now?”).
   • Encourage them to observe changes in their thoughts, emotions, or behaviors over the next few days, using specific examples tied to the treated site (e.g., for F7: “Notice if it feels easier to express yourself this week”).
   • Reinforce the pendulum effect: Temporary overcorrections are normal and will settle as the brain finds balance.

Step 4: Ongoing Monitoring and Adjustment

• Track Progress:
  • Use client self-reports to monitor changes in real-life symptoms (e.g., reduced intrusive thoughts, improved emotional regulation).
  • Conduct follow-up brain mapping every 5–10 sessions to assess reductions in suppression and guide site selection.
• Adjust Treatment:
  • If the client reports significant pendulum effects (e.g., emotional surges), reduce the number of sites treated per session or extend the interval between sessions.
  • If progress stalls, revisit the brain map or explore additional sites that may be contributing to symptoms.
• Encourage Reflection:
  • Regularly discuss how changes in brainwave flexibility translate to real-life improvements (e.g., “You mentioned feeling less stuck in negative thoughts—how does that show up in your day-to-day?”).
  • Help clients connect suppression patterns to their personal history (e.g., learned behaviors from childhood) to deepen insight.

Step 5: Consolidation and Maintenance

• Completion of Core Treatment: Once suppression is significantly reduced across sites (per brain mapping) and the client reports sustained improvements, transition to a maintenance phase.
• Maintenance Sessions: Offer monthly or bi-monthly sessions to reinforce flexibility, especially for clients with chronic conditions or high stress.
• Long-Term Reflection: Encourage clients to continue reflecting on their growth, using tools like journaling to track how increased neuroflexibility enhances their resilience and adaptability.

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Key Considerations

• Client-Centered Approach: Tailor explanations and reflections on the client’s language, experiences, and goals. Avoid overly technical terms to maintain accessibility.
• Non-Linear Expectations: Reinforce that outcomes may not directly correlate with specific sites treated, as the brain’s complexity drives holistic change.
• Safety and Sensitivity: Monitor for overstimulation (e.g., fatigue, irritability) and adjust session intensity or frequency accordingly.
• Integration with Other Modalities: Combine LENS with cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, or coaching to amplify its effects and support lasting change.

This protocol balances structure with flexibility, aligning with the philosophy that the brain is a unique, dynamic system capable of profound self-regulation when guided with care and intention.