I just wanted to give an update for any others that might be struggling. The positive effects of neurofeedback, after going consistently, are certainly long-lasting/permanent! It's been about a year since my course of neurofeedback treatments and I'm feeling great! Thank you again Dr. V read more

Dr Villanueva is a very helpul doctor, and he knows what he's doing when it comes to neurofeedback. He's always making sure to listen and make sure it's working for you, and I've seen a lot of improvement from this treatment. I would recommend anyone looking for neurofeedback to start here. read more

Dr. Villanueva is an incredible doctor and person. He has given me hope that I will have answers and relief to my health issues. He is honest, direct, and straight forward. 10/10 I believe he will change my life, and this is no exaggeration. If you have health issues with no answers and you know that medications are not the only answer, see him. read more

I went to Alpha Theta center seeking help for scattered thoughts and anxiety. So grateful for their help, the QEEG analysis was fascinating and rather revealing. I have had 10 neuro feedback sessions and am already seeing subtle improvements. I plan to continue treatment as this is making a difference in my life. Michael Villanueva, PhD is professional, experienced and effective. He will be frank with you...if you can't handle an honest forthright person maybe this isn't your place.....this is always my preference. His assistant Agrin (sp?) is wonderful, a true asset! They are an amazing team. They can help you change your thoughts to change your life. I am female- I always felt safe and cared for.....I trust them with my brain. You can too! read more

I am a psychologist myself and a patient of Dr. Villanueva and Alpha Theta Center. I highly recommend him for neurofeedback, mapping, and anything related to qEEG analysis. I originally went to a larger practice for neurofeedback treatment for PTSD and depression where I was seen by technicians and never met the psychologist in charge. They ran the standard intervention with me, but it was not helpful and the psychologist in charge did not seem to have the interest or expertise to take a more personalized approach. In contrast, Dr. Villanueva mapped me before beginning treatment (incredibly helpful) and personalized my treatment from day one. He is an expert in the field, can read and interpret qEEG data at a high level, and conducted many of the neurofeedback training sessions himself. The technician that works with him is also wonderful and professional. Alpha Theta Center is similar in price to other centers, but the individual attention and expertise you get with Dr. Villanueva is unmatched. It is clear that he both deeply cares about his patients and has the training to truly help them. After 3 months of treatment, my sleep has improved, my emotional regulation has improved, my memory is better, my startle response is negligible, my mood is brighter, and I feel more in control of the direction of my life. Thank you, Alpha Theta Center and Dr. Villanueva. read more

It's hard to put all that ATC has done for me into a short review. By the time I came to my first appointment, I had been through a lot of trauma plus 4 TBIs. I felt totally out of control of my emotions, lived in a state of fight or flight, didn't sleep, couldn't focus, and lived most days with headaches, nausea, and light sensitivity... all while trying to run my company. Needless to say, the state I was living in was affecting everything in a negative way. I had been in and out of talk therapy for years and felt like I always hit a wall. I heard about neurofeedback and it felt like my last hope. I'm eternally grateful that I found ATC. The person I am now and the person I was when I started neurofeedback are worlds apart. Now I get restful sleep, perform well under pressure, feel in control of my emotions, and have even begun to process a lot of the trauma surrounding my PTSD. I'm back in talk therapy and actually making huge strides forward and uncovering/processing things I didn't even know were there. My post concussion symptoms don't run my days anymore, and I actually feel like MYSELF. In fact, I've felt more creative in the past couple months than I have in my entire life. I feel free. I wish more people knew about neurofeedback because I can say confidently that it has changed my life. Going to Alpha Theta center has been the best decision I've ever made. If you get the opportunity - take it. read more

Today I finished my 20th and final neurofeedback session at the Alpha Theta Center and I wanted to wait until the end so I could provide a holistic review. My experience essentially consisted of three parts: an initial intake interview with Dr. V (why I was seeking neurofeedback; my clinical history; etc.); a brain-mapping session followed by a detailed conversation with Dr. V about what he found in his analysis; and 20 subsequent sessions of neurofeedback training, tailored to these results. (Note: The quantity of sessions I pursued- and even the fact that I pursued them at all- was completely up to me; I appreciated from the outset how direct was Dr. V about his services and his experience and potential outcomes but I never felt like he was trying to "sell" me anything.) Based on my own experience and the experience of others who referred me I know that the therapy works and I would encourage anyone with psychological distress- and an authentic desire to understand and transcend it- to visit Dr. V. I've been in a more standard form of (talk) psychotherapy for several years and my experience at the ATC complemented, built upon, and in some ways even (constructively) upended this work. While I benefited from the 20 therapy sessions- and I'm looking forward to seeing how my life continues to be different down the road compared to when I began- to be honest, perhaps the most impactful part of the experience was the initial brain-mapping and discussion of results. For a long time I've struggled with interpersonal relationships, challenges with cognitive and emotional regulation, and feelings of anxiety and shame. Somehow simply discovering that these painful and confusing life experiences coincided with specific, objectively measurable signatures of brain activity was an overwhelming and cathartic experience- a bit like suffering from intense and chronic physical pain all of your life and finally coming across a doctor who could identify its cause. Somehow that conversation, alone, helped me with a great deal of shame and self-loathing and filled me with a new hope. Two final things to note: First, as much as Dr. V will insist that all that really matters is the neurofeedback training, personally I found our brief conversations before and after training sessions to be consistently thought-provoking, therapeutic, and humanizing (not to mention frequently hilarious); offhand comments he made would sometimes leave me thinking for days or compel me to consider something in my life in a new way. He has a unique, fascinating, and humbling way of looking at the world and I feel equally grateful for his personal style as his professional service. Second, and relatedly, I understand our culture often privileges gentle, euphemistic, and roundabout conversation rather than direct communication and so some may struggle with Dr. V's "style." (I'm referring here to a couple extremely negative reviews, to which- unlike most service providers, and per the "about the business" notice on this Yelp page- Dr. V is legally and ethically unable to respond because even publicly acknowledging that someone has seen him entails a breach of patient confidentiality.) I guess all I can say is that I wouldn't want my oncologist telling me my cancer was actually a cold for fear of disturbing my physically fit self-image. In truth, I found Dr. V to be an unusually kind, compassionate person; to be so lucky to meet any fellow human who will tell it like it is- and help you fix it. read more

I could not recommend Dr. V at Alpha Theta enough! He personalizes care and made my treatment journey one that I can't imagine life without. I am extremely grateful not only for his mental health services but also for the support he has given as an individual. So grateful! read more

I was doing neurofeedback sessions with Dr. Villanueva about twice weekly for around 3 months and the improvement I saw in my mental health was nothing short of amazing. I've struggled with depression for most of my life and I've tried so many treatment paths yielding no results. These neurofeedback sessions have improved my mood, energy levels, and sleep patterns to be better than they have ever been. Dr. Villaneuva himself also offers great conversation as well as really helps you understand (as much as one can) the science behind the treatment. There is no doubt I will return to Dr. Villanueva in the future should I ever feel my mental health declining. read more

I was recommended to ATC after my doctor retired. I can see that perhaps some people like him and had good experiences, however my experience was completely different. I felt him to be very abrasive and condescending. Perhaps he prefers to work with men, I don't know. He would cuss during my sessions, which is very unprofessional but that was the least of my concerns. When he would ask me a question or I would try to explain something, he would say he doesn't need to hear all the details, but when I didn't explain enough he said I needed to be more clear and not say so much so I didn't know how to speak to him, it was a stressful feeling. It absolutely made no sense. I am who I am and my experiences are me but he didn't want to hear any of it. I initially went to him to see if he could help/relieve my tinnitus. He said he had people come to him from all over the US for relief from T but said that he can't really help with it. Then out of the blue he had protocol for treating T. In one of the sessions he tried to treat T but it started to make my it worse so I suggested we go back to the original treatment of focusing on calming the brain for PTSD and anxiety (from having had brain cancer, surgery, chemo and radiation.) At session # 6 for some reason things weren't looking right on the TV screen and it was probably because I had taken Xanax to help me sleep the night before because of the anxiety I was experiencing. He sat down and said "I don't don't know how to treat you," which was interesting because I needed to increase my Alpha, lower my Beta and I have too much Delta. I knew that information from my previous doctor but he basically disregarded all that information. I think if you are a professional, you would reach out to the previously trusted, well-respected doctor to get input of a new patient/client. He never reached out to her which indicates to me that he might have felt inferior to her or thought himself better. I don't know, just speculation When I would go to a session I would get the worst anxiety. On my way to session #5 I almost had a panic attack in the car. No one should feel anxiety, anxious or on the verge of having a panic attack going to see a doctor that is supposed to help you. Consequently, I didn't want to complete my session's that's I paid for. When I called to get a payment for the sessions I didn't complete, he kept a session's worth of payment saying I cancelled after the 24 hour cancellation time. What was interesting about that was I had cancelled before without a fee deduction and I was actually stopping this alleged treatment. I should have been reimbursed for all remaining sessions. Like I said before, it appears a lot of people really like him and he may work well within for certain people, but we didn't resonation with one another and I was not beneficial for me. This is my personal experience. I simply wouldn't recommend him to anyone. read more

I have been going to Dr. Michael for a couple of years now and I am amazed at how much he helps me. I have a brain injury and suffer from mild brain ischemias. It's hard for me to focus and I zone out sometimes resulting in me missing out on important information or discussions. Since being treated by him my mental health as vastly improved. I'm able to stay more focused and pay attention better. My mood has lightened and I've become a more positive and happier person. I'm more patient and less angry. I highly recommend Dr. Michael and his assistant, Paisley. They are incredible people who truly want to help everyone reach their full potential. read more

Where do I start.. Dr. V is one of the most professional, personable, and amazing psychologist I've ever had the chance to work with. I suffer from extreme anxiety from a traumatic experience 6 years ago. Dr. V helped me understand why I feel the way I feel and helped me navigate through my anxiety with neurofeedback. The best thing about him is how bluntly honest he is. No sugar coating, no bullshit. If it works it will, and if it doesn't he'll tell you how it is. I never have to question his truthfulness and trust this judgment 100 percent. Meeting Dr V has truly been a blessing and I really appreciate all the work he's done to help me through my journey. read more

I'm giving this center two stars instead of one because Dr. Villanueva is very knowledgeable and doing Neurofeedback with him was helpful. However his behavior is very unprofessional to the point of verbal abuse, and when I told him it made me feel unsafe because of my past trauma, he refused to take any accountability or talk to me about it at all. I ended up quitting after a session where he yelled and swore and me while I cried. So unless you have a very thick skin I would recommend getting help elsewhere. read more

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. read more

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! read more

Of all the professional psychology practitioners I have known, there is no one that approaches the skill level and sensitivity of Dr. Villanueva. He is a seasoned psychotherapist who has treated trauma extensively, including with soldiers on active duty in the Middle East. He is particularly skillful with both female and male clients who suffer from reactive attachment disorder of childhood. He helped me to understand that my reactions to my past, which I had always thought were about me being crazy, were normal reactions to abnormal events. He is kind, thoughtful in his clinical interventions and went to great lengths to reassure me when the discussions got difficult, especially the memories. I give him the highest rating! Thank you Dr. V! You saved my life. read more

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. read more

Hands down the best place in San Diego! Very professional and super knowledgeable in the field.

I could not be more grateful for Dr. Villanueva's help with my 11 year old son. We came in as a result of Years of serious sleep issues with my son, desperate and unsure of where to turn next. Within just a few sessions my son was sleeping much better. Now, two months later, he's a new kid! He's sleeping well, more focused, more engaged and more motivated than we've ever seen him. This stuff is for real! I was skeptical, but I'm so glad I took the leap to give Dr Villanueva a chance to help. His is amazingly knowledgeable about the brain, with years of experience in the field of psychology and Nuerofeedback. His direct and honest, yet compassionate approach were well received by my son. The added bonus is that my marriage, and our whole family, which were greatly affected by my sons issues, are back on track as well. I believe it saved our marriage! Btw, I read the one negative review listed here, and I just want to say that was not our experience at all. Dr. Villanueva was nothing less than professional when interacting w us. read more

Once again, Dr. Villanueva has instilled hope in humanity and a promising alternative treatment for those living with mental health challenges. Our daughter is a patient at Alpha Theta Center. Her treatment and relations began in July 2021. Diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety, we have witnessed positive and encouraging behavior changes with our daughter because of the treatment she's received. I don't clearly understand the science, but I can testify it has worked with our daughter! And because she has struggled in the past in trying to get help with her mental health, she is easily disappointed and be hard to treat and work with. But thru her treatment, she has experienced relief from her depressive/anxious episodes and now can better reflect and evaluate her emotional state before it's debilitating and/or damaging. Our family will be forever grateful for Dr. Villanueva and the Alpha Theta team's compassion and expertise in offering this alternative treatment to our daughter! I only hope many many more people will research and give this alternative treatment for mental health a try. read more

Dr Michael Villanueva is an incredibly skilled neurofeedback technician and a very caring human being. I am forever grateful for the huge positive influence both he, and his sessions have had on my life. I came in a complete mess, with high levels of PTSD and moments of strong anxiety and panic stemming from sexual abuse many years ago. And I walked out, 22 sessions later, a changed woman, calm, clear, focussed, confident and at peace. I was surprised how effective neurofeedback has been. And I highly recommend Dr Villanueva and his work. He is a man of high integrity and honesty who will give it to you straight. read more

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. read more

If it wasn't for the AlphaTheta Center, I don't know where I would be today. I have tried medication and therapy for years. Dr. Villanueva has been the only professional to give me clear insight and answers into what is causing my crippling anxiety, and the treatment I have received has allowed me to go almost completely off medication. Highly recommended. read more

So first let me start off by saying that this man is a genius in his field. I have been seeing Dr. Villanueva for about 2 years now and when I first began to see him I was fresh out of a mental institution completely hopeless about my life in every way possible. I am only 20 years old and I have suffered from clinical depression and anxiety for years. I had been seeing a psychiatrist and therapist through my health insurance provider for a long time prior to finally seeking out Neurofeedback as an option. I have been through my fair share of medications and I can honestly say this has been the ONLY form of treatment that has made a significant change. Dr. Michael Villanueva has been the greatest psychologist I have ever had the pleasure of working with, he is tough on his patients, he requires you be honest with yourself, but he holds a huge amount of empathy and care for them. This man cares about his patients more than any other therapist I have ever seen. He is not in the least bit, in this for the money. Treatment like this can be pricey. And that is because it is a skilled profession. Dr. Villanueva has a military background and has changed the lives of many soldiers currently fighting for our country during his work in Afghanistan. I honestly haven't ever heard of someone not seeing massive improvement from his treatments. I hold a huge amount of respect for this man, and thank him every day for all that he has done to improve my quality of life. Thanks to his treatments I have been happily off all forms of medication for over a year now and have never felt more at peace with myself and my life. I was diagnosed more recently with epilepsy because of severe migraines I had been getting for years, but through the help of Dr. Villanueva's treatments I have successfully gained control of my headaches or "seizures", going from having them 3-4 times a week to maybe having one or two a month. To anyone I know suffering from any neurological or psychiatric illnesses I recommend him immediately because I genuinely believe in his business and his field of treatment. He is a genuine man with the best intentions towards his patients. He works hard for his them and truly believes in the work he does. The amount of money you pay is nothing compared to a happy successful life. And Dr. Villanueva is without a doubt the one to help you get there. read more

My first exposure to Neurofeedback came through a YouTube video that homecoming4vets posted of Dr. Villanueva presenting at a combat and stress control conference. This video brought tears to my eyes and gave me the chills while watching how NFB changed a soldier's PTSD. I immediately knew that there was something to this kind of treatment that i felt could improve some personal issues for me. I have been receiving various types of NFB from Dr. Villanueva on and off for over a year. Dr. V is extremely knowledgeable in this field of healing through brain training. Its amazing to me that so many physical, emotional and mental issues can be helped through NFB, yet I feel that in addition to the NFB, Dr. Villanueva's personal care and genuine interest in helping people is another reason why many of my personal issues have been healed. I truly feel that Dr. Villanueva's purpose in life is to help people heal. He is unlike any Doctor or counselor I have ever been to. He is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the field of NFB, takes the time to answer questions, isn't looking at his watch to get the next patient in, trustworthy, and is completely flexible and willing to schedule sessions just about any time of the week. So how has NFB and Dr. Villanueva helped me personally? First noticed improvement was that I was sleeping much better. Theres nothing like having an incredible deep sleep. Next, I noticed how NFB helped with my personal atheletic pursuits. Simply stated I am a better athlete. I am so much more dialed into whatever activity I am involved with. My long distance swimming has improved and the mechanics of my swim strokes seem to be flawless. My restless leg syndrome is gone. Later sessions have revealed a new me. I am much more focused, patient, engaging and more comfortable in my own skin. I would like to end this review by suggesting to anyone that is thinking about NFB as a possible solution to whatever personal issues you are suffering from, GO FOR IT! There is something very unique about Dr. Villanueva, his passion to this field and the personal attention he gives to helping his patients heal. YouTube video:amazing transformation of war veteran should get you there. PLEASE WATCH if you have any reservations about Neurofeedback. read more

Dr. Villanueva is the best doctor I've ever seen. I've successfully gotten off all Meds and my brain is working better than ever before.

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. read more

Dr. Villanueva was able to help me with some very complex issues that I have struggled with most of my life. I have had to deal with chronic pain and brain fog since I was a kid. I have been to specialists on the east and west coasts. I decided to try Dr. V after a friend recommended him. I was a real challenge for him which he took on with a passion. I had to stop therapy because we moved out of the area but I am so much better. My sleep has improved and my pain has also improved. Whenever I am in San Diego I make an appointment with him and try to continue our work together. read more

I had the opportunity to have a series of neurofeedback sessions with Dr. Villanueva when I was in San Diego. Through the brain mapping, Dr. V was able to accurately identify very specific areas of cognitive and emotional issues that had potential for becoming issues in my life - and he was absolutely on target with his evaluations. He speaks straightforwardly, gets right to the point and does so in a compassionate manner. From what he saw in my brain waves, he quickly came to know me maybe better than I admitted to knowing myself! Through the process, I gained a deep respect for this man, his extensive knowledge of neuroscience and his ability to use this knowledge to make my life better. I am a retired mental health provider myself and would have relished the opportunity to have learned from and made referrals to on behalf of my clients. You should definitely "gift" yourself an appointment with him to learn this about The AlphaTheta Center yourself!!! read more

Dr. Villanueva is a caring professional who is committed to getting his patients the results they need. His direct style of communication and obvious compassion made it easy to commit to a course of treatment that should bring positive results. His experience and background gave me confidence in his ability to make a difference. read more

I've been a patient of Dr. Villaneuva for approximately 2 years and am profoundly grateful for the improvements I've experienced under his care. He has a deep mastery of the science, and importantly has a sincere and genuine compassion for his patients. I'm a professional with (as another review put it) "first world problems" such as stress, poor sleep, and trouble focusing at work. Beyond that, I had some serious anger issues (e.g. road rage), which is why I originally went to see him. My work with Dr. Villaneuva has altogether eliminated my road road - truly awesome to experience, let me tell you! My sleep has also vastly improved, as has focus and generally speaking stress management. Neurofeedback is the future of brain and emotional wellness, and Dr. Villaneuva is at the forefront. We're fortunate to have him in our community. read more

I was introduced to Neuro Feedback by Dr. Villanueva a little over two years ago. I was completely fascinated by the concept that the brain can be trained towards a brighter, more regulated state.My brain was definately in need of some help and It just seemed to good to be true! After several treatments under the expert care of Dr Villanueva I noticed several things: I was geneally calmer,my anxiety levels were reduced significantly, my focus at work was improved way beyond what I would have expected. The afternoon brain fog that I had become so accustomed to was gone. I was able to get through a whole day of work without that horrible slump I was used to. That would have been enough, frankly, for me to be happy with the results but the benefits were greater than that. Dr Villanueva is a very dedicated practioner. He really goes the distance, he did with me. He was flexible with my schedule and dedicated to my improved mental, emotional and psychological state. I am grateful that I was led to the Alpha Theta Center and Dr. Villanueva. I have sent several friends to him and in every case they have become as big a fan of this work and Dr. Villanueva as I am. Neurofeedback works. I have had my share of therapy and for some things talk therapy just doesn't do the job. I am convinced Neurofeedback is one of the most powerful tools out there for any one who suffers from things as simple as sleep deprivation to serious brain fog to much more serious mental and psychological disorders. Whether you simply want to improve your sleep and focus or you are suffering and need someone to help you. There is some hope. Try this I think you will find like most people I know, it is different and it works. read more

I had heard that brain mapping and neurofeedback could help my son who struggled with anxiety, ADHD, emotional and post concussive issues and some addictions. I found Dr. Villanueva at the Alpha Theta Center who worked with my son for the next 4 months. I credit Dr. V. with getting my son through his last semester of college and helping him get off a pretty serious addiction to pot. Our son wanted to feel better but Dr. V told him very directly that he wouldn't treat him unless he was drug and alcohol free and our son, through Dr. V's encouragement, became very motivated to give it up. Dr. V clearly cared deeply about my son and his well-being and our son felt safe and cared for in his meetings/treatments. Michael is very bright and really on the cutting edge of treating and curing disorders like PTSD, ADHD, depression, anxiety and post concussive disorders rather than just medicating for them. If I could give him 10 stars, I would! read more