Last week, I submitted my last requirement to the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) to become Board Certified in Neurofeedback (BCN). I received word back that I had met all the standards and requirements to be Board Certified in Neurofeedback.
You know when you set out on a journey knowing that it's going to be a long journey but well worth it once you get there? Well, this is one of those journeys! I couldn't have been happier as this was something I had been working toward for the last 2 years.
It started in 2019 when I was the Executive Director for a residential treatment center (RTC). This center provided intensive individual, group, and family therapy to girls ages 12-17.
The girls at this center were girls who had experienced physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and neglect. About 10% of the girls that we served were girls who had also been sex trafficked.
As I was exploring therapy approaches supported by research and can be effective in a relatively short amount of time, I came across neurofeedback.
Our center was known for clinical sophistication. To provide the highest quality service in neurofeedback for our girls, we opted to start the journey to become Board Certified in Neurofeedback.
The Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) is the premier certifying body. It's not an easy path that BCIA sets a therapist upon to become Board Certified in Neurofeedback.
From the BCIA website, to become Board Certified, there are specific requirements a therapist must meet.
Certification Requirements
Candidates must demonstrate the completion of these three requirements and the written exam.
1. Take & Pass a Neuroanatomy Course
A therapist must take and pass a neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, physiological psychology, or course(s). These coursed provide a sound basis for the brain and how it functions. This course must be taken from a regionally accredited academic institution or a BCIA approved provider.
2. Didactic Education to Learn the Science, History, & Theory of Neurofeedback
A therapist must take a 36-hour didactic education program. This program specifically covers all topics as listed in the BCIA Blueprint of Knowledge. A therapist must taken program from a BCIA-accredited training program.
3. Mentoring - Practical Skills Training
A therapist is required to spend 25 contact hours (2 must be face to face) with a BCIA-approved mentor. Here the therapist will learn to apply the clinical neurofeedback skills through the review of:
10 sessions of self-regulation through doing 10 sessions of neurofeedback as the client.
100 patient/client sessions where you are running a complete session.
10 case study presentations which are full detailed patient/client stories from intake and protocol selection/adjustment, through discharge.
As is the case with most therapists seeking Board Certification in Neurofeedback, I exceeded the 25 hours with a mentor and opted to continue mentoring throughout the two year period.
The mentor that I was fortunate to have was Richard Davis, LPC with Neurotherapy Associates of Texas. Richard was also the past president of the International Society of Neuroregulation & Research (ISNR).
4. Certification Exam
A therapist must take and pass an exam that consists of approximately 100 multiple-choice items with only one correct answer. Therapists are encouraged to use the Core Reading List to aid in preparation for the exam. This will help to reinforce the learning of the science, history, and theory of neurofeedback.
Why Choose a Therapist Who is Board Certified in Neurofeedback Through BCIA?
The certification process is meant to prepare the therapist to provide effective neurofeedback. The process is intense, lengthy, and costly. This process can also weed out those who are not committed to the practice of neurofeedback.
In addition to the certification requirements, there are other reasons you may want to choose a neurofeedback therapist who is Board Certified through BCIA.
Therapists who become Board Certified in Neurofeedback are respected nationally and internationally for 6 reasons. Taken from the BCIA website, those 6 reasons are:
1. BCIA is a Not-for-Profit Agency & an Advocate in Advancing Quality in Neurofeedback
BCIA is a not-for-profit entity that has been an effective advocate for neurofeedback. Since 1981, BCIA has been dedicated to a singular mission:
"BCIA certifies individuals who meet education and training standards in biofeedback. BCIA also progressively recertifies those who advance their knowledge through continuing education."
2. BCIA is the Only Certification Program Recognized by the Three Major International Membership Organizations
BCIA certification programs are the only ones recognized by the three major international membership organizations:
Biofeedback Federation of Europe (BFE), and
3. BCIA's Certification Program is Based on Scientific Findings
BCIA's certification programs are based on scientific evidence published in refereed journals. BCIA rejects narrow, unsubstantiated perspectives.
BCIA also cannot be lobbied and entangled in the conflict of interest that exists when certification depends on a specific vendor's equipment, databases, and protocols.
BCIA certification is based on a reading list, Blueprint of Knowledge. BCIA also has a developed set of Professional Standards and Ethical Principles that were developed following an extensive job analysis and that are regularly updated by a task force of international authorities in biofeedback.
BCIA continually gathers data to validate and revise its exams through the psychometric process to ensure the relevance, integrity, and value of our certification program.
4. BCIA Certification Exams Adhere to the Highest Standards
BCIA's certification exams adhere to the highest psychometric standards. We painstakingly evaluate and revise our exam on a regular basis.
Several independent experts, who include clinicians and the most experienced educators in our field, regularly review exam items to ensure that they represent key blueprint concepts, are sourced to our core reading lists, and are psychometrically sound.
We regularly replace outdated exam questions with new ones that are contributed, reviewed, and then validated by our certificants.
5. BCIA Adheres to the Strongest Ethical Codes
BCIA requires that our certificants adhere to one of the strongest ethical codes in our field as outlined in the Professional Standards and Ethical Principles document.
In addition, we require that our certificants complete 3 hours of ethics continuing education when they renew their certification.
Our rigorous ethical standards are one of the many reasons that our international colleagues have chosen BCIA certification.
6. BCIA Board of Directors are Leaders & Practitioners in the Field
BCIA's Board of Directors consists of clinicians, educators, and researchers who have guided the development and recognition of the modality.
Our Board includes leaders in the fields from clinical practice, academia, and research who have contributed decades of service to our field.
Neurofeedback for Teens, Young Adults, & Adults: Katy Teen & Family Counseling
When you think about what neurofeedback is, is seems like a no-brainer (pun intended) to choose a therapist who is Board Certified in Neurofeedback. Becoming Board Certified demonstrates a level of commitment to a high standard of excellence in neurofeedback.
Clinical Excellence is one of our Core Values at Katy Teen & Family Counseling. Becoming Board Certified in Neurofeedback is a journey true to our values.
At the Katy, Tx location of Katy Teen & Family Counseling, we can help you overcome depression, anxiety, panic attacks, ADHD/ADD, trauma, PTSD, and struggles related to Asperger's. Neurofeedback has shown to be effective with these struggles and more.
Our Katy, Tx office is conveniently located just off of 99 and I-10. We are about 4 blocks behind the Academy Sports.
If you are ready to start experiencing relief and freedom through neurofeedback, all you need to do is follow these three simple steps:
Contact Katy Teen & Family Counseling
Speak with our neurotherapist
Start neurofeedback today and experience the relief and freedom from emotional or behavioral struggles
Other Therapy and Counseling Services Offered at Katy Teen & Family Counseling
At our Katy, Tx location of Katy Teen & Family Counseling, we use therapy and counseling approaches that are supported by research. These approaches have been shown to work in the shortest amount of time.
In addition to neurofeedback, we provide teen therapy, counseling for young adults, family therapy, and marriage counseling or couples therapy.
We also offer the following therapy and counseling services:
Neurofeedback Therapy
Peak performance (optimal academic brain performance)
Peak performance (optimal athletic brain performance)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR Therapy)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
About the Author
Jason Drake is a Licensed Clinical Worker (LCSW) and Board Certified in Neurofeedback (BCN) through BCIA. He specializes in the family system including: teen therapy, family therapy, counseling for young adults, and neurofeedback. He has provided therapy to teens, families, and young adults since 2003.
Jason helps teens and young adults in the Katy, Tx and Houston area who struggle with ADHD/ADD, depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and other challenges.
Jason also works with talented teen athletes and Gifted students who experience unique challenges. He has helped athletes overcome mental blocks caused by injuries or near misses. Through neurofeedback, he has helped gifted students increase peak performance.
Jason uses CBT, EMDR, Neurofeedback, FFT, and Motivational Interviewing. If you would like to learn more, please call or email us. He is also a Certified Brain Health Professional through the Amen Clinics.
346-202-4662
