Neurofeedback and Developmental Trauma Course

Course Description

Developmental trauma (DT) is arguably one of the costliest public health challenges in the USA and defined as a chronic early childhood exposure to neglect and abuse by their caregiver. DT has been shown to have a long-lasting adverse pervasive impact on mental, physical functioning as well as neurophysiological development. This impact includes shorter lifespans, interference with adequate daily functioning, and compromises the ability for an individual to benefit from other treatments. 

Developmental Trauma alters the neurophysiological activities (e.g. EEG). State-of-the-art treatment options, such as neurofeedback and biofeedback, are promising treatment modalities that effectively regulate these neurophysiological activities. Research has shown that neurofeedback effectively reduces PTSD symptoms and improves executive functioning. A holistic approach, including a combination of neurofeedback, biofeedback, and talk therapy, can be incredibly effective for working with people with developmental trauma. 

This course begins with a short background of the impact of deveopmental trauma on the neurophysiological pathways. The majority of the course focuses on the clinical aspects of integrating neurofeedback and a variety of biofeedback techniques to help regulate these neurophysiological activities  through a variety of examples, replay sessions, case presentations and conducting biofeedback sessions. We discuss using these neurophysiological activities as assessments as well as  related research, and dissociation. At the end of the course, we conclude with overcoming challenges and future directions.

Upcoming Dates and Times

Dates: June 2024 (Exact Dates TBD)

Time: 8:30am-5:45pm EDT 

Virtual Training hours are from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm EDT

Location: In-person, Boston MA 

Hampton Inn & Suites Watertown Boston 25 Bond St, Watertown, MA 02472

and Virtually, live on ZOOM

Languages: English, with live simultaneous translation into Spanish

Costs

The cost for the June 2023 course is as follows:

In Person: $820 standard / $720 early bird if paid in full by April 24, 2023

Virtual: $620 standard / $570 early bird if paid in full by April 24, 2023

Discounts:

• 10% discount for past BND training participants*
• 20% discount available if taken with the Protocol Development Practicum*
• Additional discount pricing available for students and participants from Latin America*

*only one discount can be applied

Have any questions or want more information?

Email us at info@bostoneurodynamics.com or call (617)-855-9295

Faculty

LEON MORALES-QUEZADA, MD, PHD, BCN

Researcher in Neuroscience at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital; Neuromodulation Consultant and Board Member of Boston NeuroDynamics ⋅ he/his

Course Guide

Prerequisite: This is an intermediate neurofeedback course. A prerequisite of a BCIA approved 36-hour Introduction to Neurofeedback Didactic Training or equivalent training is required.

Target Audience: Neurofeedback clinicians and technicians (includes Psychologists, Psychoanalysts, Psychiatrists, Social Workers, MFTs, Counselors, Substance Abuse Counselors, Occupational Therapists, Nurses, MD, chiropractic and other degrees in healthcare that have been pre-approved by BND and BCIA)

Certification Information:

• BCIA Credits: We are currently in the process of applying for 9.5 continuing education credits through BCIA
• CE Credits: We are currently in the process of applying for 16 CE credits through R. Cassidy

COVID-19 Precautions: We will be in close contact during the training and want everyone to feel safe throughout the training. Depending on the situation in June, additional precautions (such as wearing masks) may be put in place to keep us all safe.

Cancellation Policy: All payments will be fully refunded if the cancellation is made 4 weeks prior to the training, with a $50 processing fee. Cancellations made less than 4 weeks, but more than 5 days before the training can be refunded at 50% or fully credited towards the next workshop. Cancellations made 5 days or fewer before class cannot be refunded or credited. In the situation that you are sick or test positive for COVID-19, you can either (a) defer your tuition to attend the next training and receive a complementary 1 hour mentoring session or (b) be refunded the tuition cost minus the $50 needed to secure the meeting space.

Boston NeuroDynamics reserves the right to cancel. Should it be necessary, we will reschedule the training for a future date. If you would like to defer your tuition to attend the next training you will receive a complementary 1 hour mentoring session, otherwise all payments will be fully refunded. We cannot be held responsible for restricted or non-refundable airfares. 

Due to the uncertain nature of in-person trainings since COVID-19, we highly recommend to make refundable / changeable travel arrangements. 

Disclosure Statement: There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.

*For questions or concerns, please email us at info@bostonneurodynamics.com or call/text at (617) 855-9295

Learning Objectives

The goals of this course are to:

1. Describe the neurophysiological impact of developmental trauma on the brain
2. Integrate neurofeedback and a variety of biofeedback modalities to treat people with developmental
3. Utilize neurophysiological activities as assessment tools to assess the impact of developmental trauma, develop an effective treatment plan, and to track the impact of the neurofeedback/biofeedback treatment
4. Practice using a variety of biofeedback modalities to understand how they can change different physiological aspects of the body

Detailed Learning Objectives Per Section

Based on the content of this presentation, participants will be able to: 

Developmental trauma: Definition, outcome and impact 

1. Define developmental trauma (DT) and its impact on a person’s neurophysiology

Neurofeedback: in the clinic 

1. Summarize the main factors to consider when developing a protocol when working with people with developmental trauma
2. Describe the main components to focus on when conduct a neurofeedback session for a client with developmental trauma.  
3. Demonstrate the impact of neurofeedback on the brain activity of a client with developmental trauma
4. Analyze a case presentation about a client with developmental trauma

Biofeedback Theory and Practice: Temperature, skin conductivity, and EMG

1. Identify the principles and application of three types of biofeedback measures (temperature, skin conductance and muscle tension) to developmental trauma
2. Practice using three types of biofeedback measures (temperature, skin conductance and muscle tension) and integrating them into a client session

NFB research and DT 

1. Review two key research papers related to the impact of neurofeedback on people with trauma (PTSD and DT)

Dissociation

1. Define what dissociation is and its neuropsychological impact on the brain 
2. Compare the differences in developing a protocol and conduct a neurofeedback session for people with developmental trauma and dissociation.

Assessments

1. Practice using neurophysiological activities as objective assessments to develop a treatment plan and track changes. 
2. Name 4 different neurophysiological assessments

Future Directions and Challenges

1. Summarize the current challenges in providing neurofeedback and biofeedback treatment to people with developmental trauma
2. Discuss future uses for neurophysiological markers in treatment for people with developmental trauma

Biofeedback Theory and Practice: Heart Rate Variability

1. Identify the principles and application of the biofeedback measure of heart rate variability to developmental trauma
2. Practice using the biofeedback measure of heart rate variability and integrating it into a client session

Biofeedback Theory and Practice: Respiration

1. Identify the principles and application of the  biofeedback measure of respiration to developmental trauma
2. Practice using the biofeedback measure of respiration and integrating it into a client session

How Do I Register?

1. Fill out the registration form
Click in the link below to register for the course. We will only secure your spot once we receive payment.

2. Cost
In Person Training Cost: $820 standard / $720 early bird if paid in full by April 24, 2023
Virtual Training Cost: $620 standard / $570 early bird if paid in full by April 24, 2023

3. Additional discounts

• 10% discount for past BND training participants*
• 20% discount available if taken with the Protocol Development Practicum Course*
• Additional discount pricing available for students and participants from Latin America*

*only one discount can be applied

4. Payment
We currently accept checks, credit cards, bank/wire transfers and PayPal. After submitting the registration form, there is a link to submit payment.

Your spot will be secure once we receive payment.