Unique Training Options for APA Continuing Education Credit
Most psychologists in the United States need to attend training to keep up with new developments in the field and to remind them of things that they may have learned a long time ago.
There are many options for training including face-to-face programs, online programs, and material that psychologists can read. There is a multitude of different topics that can be studied. Since psychologists have to take training, it makes sense to make it something interesting, enjoyable, and useful. Biofeedback and neurofeedback are subjects that check all of those boxes. Psychologists tend to do a lot of talking and paperwork as a part of their routine. Some of this can become monotonous. Biofeedback and neurofeedback use technology that helps the clients of psychologists learn about themselves. It helps them to learn how to make real, physiological, measurable changes. They can learn to change how their body reacts to stress using biofeedback. They can train their brain to become more regulated through neurofeedback.
I have spoken to many practicing psychologists who have only had minimal exposure to biofeedback or neurofeedback during their initial education in psychology. Most have not had extensive training in this either area. Many professionals that get trained in an area want to become certified if certification is available. The most recognized body offering certification in biofeedback and neurofeedback is the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). The didactic educational requirement for BCIA peripheral biofeedback certification is 42 hours. The requirement for neurofeedback is 36 hours. With a course approved for APA continuing education credits for biofeedback or neurofeedback, a psychologist can receive a large number of required hours in a short amount of time while learning an exciting and effective skill.
This can be a great opportunity for psychologists to gain required hours while learning an evidenced-based therapy tool that can also bring some variety to their work and help their clients as well.
More information is available on the American Psychological Association (APA) continuing education program on the APA website: https://www.apa.org/education/ce/index
Information on an approved biofeedback training that offers 42 credits is at: https://biofeedbackinternational.com/biocert/
Information on an approved neurofeedback training offering 36 credits is at: https://biofeedbackinternational.com/neurocert/
Teaching relaxation exercises to clients is helpful. Being able to use biofeedback and neurofeedback to show clients the changes that are going on with their muscle tension, heart rate, breathing, brain and other activity amplifies the learning by helping them understand what is happening in ways that cannot easily be put into words. They are able to learn from themselves through the instruments. Some of what they learn is at a subconscious level. It can also help to speed up the learning process because the information that is fed back to the client is faster than you could explain it to them.
Harry L. Campbell, BPS, BCB, BCN
President, Biofeedback Resources International Corp.
www.biofeedbackinternational.com
Author of What Stress Can Do, Available on Amazon.com
