Can You Really Treat Trauma Without Medication? Sandra Murcott’s Inspiring Journey Into Neurofeedback

In this Real Brain Talk episode, Dr. Guy and Dr. Ken welcome Sandra Hooper Murcott, an educator, adoptive mom, and one of BrainCore’s fastest-growing neurofeedback providers. Her journey didn’t begin as a clinician — it began as a mother searching for answers for her son, a daughter caring for a father recovering from a liver transplant, and an advocate determined to help children in her classroom who were carrying more emotional weight than they could express.

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What she discovered in neurofeedback didn’t just change her family — it reshaped the trajectory of her career and led her to build 10 BrainCore offices across Dallas, each rooted in education, compassion, and accessibility. Sandra’s insights offer a powerful reminder: trauma shows up differently in every family, but healing is absolutely possible.

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Key Themes & Insights

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A Mom, A Teacher, and a Daughter Searching for Answers

Sandra’s introduction to neurofeedback happened during a perfect storm of need.

• Her adoptive son was showing signs of dysregulation.
• Her father — recovering from a liver transplant — struggled neurologically due to toxin buildup.
• Her students were returning from COVID with emotional overwhelm, sleep issues, and difficulty coping.

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With a master’s degree in brain-based education, Sandra immediately recognized that neurofeedback aligned perfectly with her belief that the brain can learn new patterns — at any age.

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From Educator to Provider — Without Leaving Her Calling Behind

Unlike many providers who come from healthcare, Sandra’s background is deeply rooted in teaching. She still teaches fourth grade because, as she says, “I want to be on the front lines.” Seeing daily what kids are up against fuels her passion for emotional regulation, learning support, and trauma-informed care.

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Her educational lens also shapes how she practices: everything is about teaching, not selling. She focuses on simple explanations, clear visuals, and empowering families to understand what their brain is trying to say.

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Healing That Begins at Home — Literally

Sandra’s family became her first proof of concept.

• Her young niece, not yet two years old, was displaying concerning behaviors and facing potential lifelong diagnoses.
• With early SMR training, she began speaking, communicating, and calming — changes so remarkable that her pediatrician now wants neurofeedback in his practice.
  
• Can You Treat TRAUMA WITHOUT Me…

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Sandra’s son also transformed from emotional overwhelm to clear, logical regulation. As she says:
“A dysregulated parent creates a dysregulated child — and vice versa.”
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Their entire home shifted into calmer communication, fewer emotional blowups, and more connection.

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Trauma Doesn’t Always Look the Way We Expect

Sandra works with many adopted children, and she emphasizes something often overlooked:
Even if adoption happens at birth, trauma exists.
Attachment ruptures, early stress, and nervous system overwhelm can shape behavior for years.

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Neurofeedback helps stabilize the brain so a child can finally express their needs instead of acting them out.

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A 15-Year-Old’s Seizures Reveal the Power of Brain Regulation

One of Sandra’s most striking cases involved a teen having four to five fainting-style events a day. After exhaustive testing, her neurologist said the issue was emotional, not electrical — and sent her straight to Sandra.

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With a full neurofeedback protocol, the teen went from daily episodes to one a week, then none at all. The brain maps, symptom trackers, and real-world changes told the story clearly: her brain was healing.

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Building a Functional Ecosystem of Support

Sandra’s clinic, Braintopia, uses a four-pronged approach because trauma and dysregulation rarely come from one source. Her team collaborates across:

• metabolic medicine,
• environmental toxin experts,
• psychological support, and
• neurofeedback training.

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This allows families to receive holistic care, not fragmented opinions.

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Growing 10 Offices Through One Simple Strategy — Education

Sandra has scaled rapidly not through marketing, but through what she calls “mom-to-mom education.” When families understand what dysregulation really is — and that natural solutions exist — they spread the word.

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She also speaks at pediatric offices, chiropractic clinics, and community events. Her message is consistent:
Neurofeedback isn’t a replacement for every tool, but it makes every other healing modality work better.

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Why This Episode Matters

Trauma doesn’t always show up as a diagnosis. Sometimes it looks like sleep issues, emotional outbursts, chronic stress, or a child shutting down. Sandra’s message is one every family deserves to hear:

You are not out of options.
The brain can relearn peace.
Children can regain regulation.
Parents can rediscover calm.

And healing doesn’t have to rely on medication alone — especially when we support the nervous system in learning healthier patterns.