AlphaTheta Center

Combat stress expert brings his talents in the field of neurofeedback to the lucky patrons of the Alpha Theta Center!
Dr. Villanueva is caring, professional, and committed to your well being. This is not your typical visit to a therapists office, this is new, different, and better in every way. My sleep issues were keeping me up at night (really). Dr Villanueva was very successful in calming the parts of my brain that were overactive. It’s difficult to explain, but his methods are direct and finely tuned. Most of all, the methods work.
I’ve never met anyone quite like him. The man has deep knowledge, and deeper understanding.

This place changed my life more than I can ever describe. I’ve been meaning to write this review for two months, but I kept putting it off because I’ve been worried I wouldn’t be able to write a positive-​enough review that truly does justice to my experience here.
After over 20 years of panic attacks, depression, anxiety, PTSD, bad experiences with psychopharmacology, and near-​suicide, I felt I couldn’t go on, that I couldn’t live one more day in the amount of pain I was in.
I was willing to try anything. I read about Neurofeedback and made an appointment. Dr. Villanueva did an EMG of my brain and, based on what he saw, was able to describe my experiences to me. After a year of meditation, going off of benzodiazipines, excercise, and eating heathly, I had been doing much better. But then, after one month of Neurofeedback, I suddenly have my life back.
Looking at what is specifically happening in my brain allowed him to provide more accurate and effective treatment than anything I have encountered in my two decades of sickness.
I am so grateful to him and his work. I can never express my gratitude for being able to breathe and live.
For less than $ 3000, saying this is well-​worth the price is an understatement. I would have happily paid $ 10,000, and I am by no means wealthy woman.
Please know that I am a woman, BUT I highly doubt the truth of the review here that he behaved inappropriately toward a female patient. I saw no such behavior, and I am a typical easy target for harassment (small, shy, not assertive, but considered good-​looking). He has an extremely frank way of speaking, which I think some might have trouble with, but what a minor issue!
I hope this helps you to see him, and I hope it helps his business to prosper.

I have been a patient of Dr. Michael Villanueva for a couple months. Throughout the course of life, I have engaged the help of several professionals and tried different approaches to trauma therapy, all to no avail. After struggling with the rippling effects of past traumatic experiences, I was beginning to feel desperate and as if I would never find anyone or any therapy that could help, not even medication.
Through pure happenstance, I was introduced to Dr. V and his unique approach to trauma therapy using Neurofeedback. After trying what felt like every viable option in the past, I approached this type of therapy with great trepidation; however, I can’t express how grateful I am to have found Dr. V. He is one of the most compassionate, knowledgeable, and thorough professionals I have ever worked with. Needless to say, after just a couple of sessions I began to feel great progress and for once, relief.
Dr. V is very welcoming and open, but does not add unnecessary fluff or padding. He asks pointed and strategic questions to help get to the root cause of a problem. I believe this approach has made my progress not only effective, but quick and efficient. The ability to feel comfortable enough to be open and honest has been invaluable, I never feel like I have to hold anything back from Dr. V.
I can honestly say that my work with Dr. V has changed my life. My anxiety levels have decreased dramatically to a much more manageable level and I am now able to get a full night’s sleep without waking up 3 or more times in a night. Additionally, I am much more comfortable in social situations and feel this will help me tremendously in my personal and professional life.
To anyone that is reading this that is either feeling they are out of options or on the fence about visiting Dr. V, please do yourself a favor and make the initial appointment. I can tell you that you most definitely will not be disappointed.

I’ve been seeing Michael for over a year now for his brain training sessions. I suffer from a variety of first world problems, mental focus with work, burning the candle at both ends, lack of sleep due to stress and scheduling /​time management issues. My experience with his Alpha Theta sessions have been amazing. First thing I notice after a session has been focus, second is greater depth in sleep and third is an overall feeling of being more in control of myself and my direction throughout the day.
Michael is extremely passionate and knowledgeable about his field of NeuroScience /​NeuroFeedback; to some this could come off as egocentric but to me it’s a man with a plan. Every visit I learn something new about myself and how the brain works and I greatly look forward to our sessions.
Overall I highly recommend experiencing his work first hand, his staff is always super friendly, Michael has opened my mind and made me think on almost every occasion we have see each other and the experience itself is amazing.

How fortunate I am to have found such a bright & gifted practitioner!
Dr. Villaneuva holds a PhD. in the social sciences & has treated war veterans in Afghanistan who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.(PTSD)
While my issues are not as severe as those who have lived through or been injured in war, I have felt relief from many issues within a short period of time, while under the care of Dr. Villaneuva. Neurofeedback addresses issues such as OCD, Sleep, anxiety, PTSD, stunted emotions, and physical pain, all through the manipulation of brain wave frequencies that all of us make. (kind of like hormones… some make more of one or not enough of another – fun brain science here!)
Dr. Villaneuva’s skill level in the field of Neurofeedback is tremendously encompassing & I’ve had the privilege to work directly with him for three months running. He is well-​versed in one than one neurofeedback (NF) modality & is acquainted DIRECTLY with the professionals who wrote the various NF software programs.
When questions arise concerning the nuances of my case, Dr. Villaneuva sets up direct consults with the experts (on his time & at his expense –should any occur) so that a deeper understanding of my issues or test results can be accurately measured & interpreted… I have been treated by other NF specialists & this was never mentioned. Dr. Villaneuva’s meticulous handling of my unique situation make me feel as if I am receiving a treatment plan that is comprehensive & vertically integrated… if he is unable to provide answers directly, he always follows up within his network & gets back to me.
Dr. Villaneuva’s approach has been to shepherd or guide me through my own healing & thus, empowers me with articles & abstracts to further my own understanding of a topic… ie. pain receptors and how the brain interprets these, diet and cognition as seem through FMRI techniques… the learning I experience has been an added bonus and provides for a richer, fuller & possibly faster result!
AlphaTheta’s pricing structure is fair & competitive… he offers a 10 session plan at a reduced rate; what some may pay for a massage or day at the hair salon. The office hours accommodate any professional’s busy schedule…6am early or 6pm late, as dictated by ME, the client…
Your brain will be in good hands!

I went to Dr. V for neurofeedback (NF) to help with chronic insomnia. He did a brain map and asked what I’ve done to address my childhood trauma. I replied I’ve seen psychologists, psychiatrists, gone to grueling emotional clearing retreats, been on anti depressants, seen breath coaches, primal scream therapy, meditation, yoga, chi gung, do positive affirmations, and use the tools in the book Power of Now. His only response was «that’s not going to make any difference». I was STUNNED. I felt like he was negating all my 30+ years of efforts. He also said he would NOT treat me if I didn’t immediately stop sleep meds. I already paid $ 2,525.00 and was desperate to start treatment. I told him if I stopped my meds, I wouldn’t get any sleep. He said it was the only way he would treat me. So I didn’t take my meds, and laid awake the entire night getting more stressed as the hours passed.
When I saw him next I said I hadn’t slept for 2 days and I needed to have a discussion, that I was feeling very distressed by something he said. I repeated the story and said his comment «it doesn’t make any difference» felt like he was negating all my hard efforts. His immediate response was «I can give you a refund and refer you to someone else.» I said «can’t we have a discussion?» He said «I WON’T discuss it.» I asked «WHY?» He obstinately repeated «I won’t discuss it.» Since he’s a self-​proclaimed «master» at face reading, he should have seen that I was getting more distressed by his continual refusal to have a discussion.
I like to clear things up by talking and communicating, but he refused. I was so desperate for sleep I wasn’t up to starting over to find another doctor. I wanted to resolve this so we could move forward, so I kept trying. But he kept saying over and over «I won’t discuss it, you can go to someone else» and «can we move forward from here?» I asked «how can we move forward if we can’t discuss this?» Eventually he said his comment was referring to TWO items in my list — positive affirmations and the book (which he’s never read!!). I finally asked «do you primarily work with military and men because you don’t seem that intuitive working with women?» He frightened me by leaping out of his chair, putting both hands on the table and angrily saying «OH, so you don’t think I’m intuitive?» It was scary to see his ego flair up.
To make it worse, it charged $ 270 for that appointment!!!
Unfortunately I was so exhausted from 7 years of insomnia, desperate for sleep and hoping NF could help, I kept going but dreaded every appointment and didn’t feel safe expressing myself.
He also stupidly said «missing 1 nights sleep is not that big of a deal.» I guess he’s never laid awake hour after hour praying to go to sleep while his body shakes from sleep deprivation.
Another issue that disturbs me is in our first appointment his hands lightly grazed my breasts as he was fumbling with the wires. I expected him to say «excuse me» or something, and he didn’t. I was so exhausted and also felt I couldn’t safely say anything without his getting defensive, so I let it go. But it happened in 13 of 14 appointments. I was so depleted from sleep deprivation, and he created an environment where I didn’t feel safe expressing concerns, that I allowed it to continue. I’m now seeing someone else and his hands never go anywhere near my breasts!
One positive thing I will say is he appears to want to help the patient with the NF, but his ego comes before the welfare of his patients. And if you’re a woman, wear thick bulky sweaters.
There has been some improvement in my sleep from the NF but since he made treatments so stressful, I’m only giving him 1 star. I’m still feeling stressed and upset from my experiences with him.