Brain Training to Help Manage Difficult Emotions

This trial is testing a new approach called neurofeedback — a technique that shows you live images of your own brain activity to help you learn how to control it. Researchers will use a special imaging device called fNIRS (functional near-infrared spectroscopy) to monitor one specific part of your brain while you practice a strategy called cognitive reappraisal, which means learning to think about upsetting images differently. The goal is to help you build stronger emotional control skills that you can use in daily life.

Many young people struggle with stress, anxiety, and depression, but we don't have enough effective treatments to help them. This study is testing whether real-time brain feedback combined with a proven thinking strategy can help people better manage difficult emotions — something that hasn't been thoroughly studied before.