Dawn-Petrice Youngs, clinical director and lead neurotherapist at Neurofeedback of Cypress, said as someone who’s struggled with anxiety, she found her calling as a mental health care provider during her time as a high school counselor.

“I'm by nature a nurturer. So you know, I played that peacemaker role, the counselor role in my friend groups growing up. So it just kind of was natural,” Youngs said.

The backstory

Youngs went on to earn a degree in health and business as well as education.

Today she practices neurofeedback, a mental health treatment method where clients respond to a display of their own brainwaves. Youngs founded Neurofeedback of Cypress in 2022 after spending time in the field as a special education teacher and high school counselor.


Wanting to specialize in young adult mental health care, Youngs became a special education teacher where she worked with students with ADHD and emotional disabilities. She later became a counselor for Cypress Creek High School, where she worked for eight years.

“I loved it, but then just recognized that we were at a point where our students needed more than what a school counselor is allotted time-wise, and that broke my heart,” Youngs said. “Since I couldn't change the system, I decided to change how I was assisting and went into private practice.”

Youngs said having children who struggled with ADHD is what led her to practice neurofeedback.

“It's drug-free. It's non-invasive. The vast majority of people respond to it. About 80%-85% respond to neurofeedback, so why aren't we doing that first before we start looking at drugs?” Youngs said.


A different approach

Neurofeedback of Cypress offers clients an alternative approach to medication for anyone struggling with ADHD, ADD, anxiety or depression.

With a holistic approach, Neurofeedback of Cypress offers clients a personalized treatment plan tailored to each individual's needs.

Starting with a 15-minute free consultation, clients are encouraged to discuss their mental health and well-being in detail and ask any questions they have.


Once a counselor assesses the client, there are several approaches Neurofeedback of Cypress can recommend after undergoing a quantitative electroencephalography, where the brain is mapped by certified counselors to analyze the client’s brainwave activity.

After the exam, a full report is reviewed by several mental health specialists.

From there, Neurofeedback of Cypress offers the following treatment methods:
  • Neurofeedback: Typically performed during 45-minute sessions, the brain is retrained using operant conditioning power training. This method uses reward and punishment to shift the brain into a more efficient state.
  • Photobiomodulation: These sessions incorporate red light therapy and are recommended to individuals struggling with depression, sleep or cognitive issues.
  • Heart rate variability: These sessions allow clients to learn to practice rhythmic breathing and are recommended to individuals with anxiety and sleep issues.
Youngs said anyone looking into neurofeedback should do research prior to selecting a provider and committing to a treatment plan. Anyone practicing neurofeedback should be a board certified neurotherapist, she said.

“Find somebody who has a BCN, and ask questions,” she said.