Biofeedback at the APA Convention in Toronto

The Biofeedback Federation of Europe provides professionals worldwide with a greater understanding of biofeedback. We're continually inspired by work that is being done in the field. But for every health professional using biofeedback in practice, hundreds are not. We were pleased to see that the upcoming APA Convention will feature a symposium on biofeedback with speakers covering topics such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, stress and peak performance.

Biofeedback and Neurofeedback

Biofeedback is a learning process in which people are taught to improve their health and performance by observing signals generated by their own bodies such as heart rate, temperature and skin conductance.  This information is fed back to the person in real time, allowing them to learn to control their response to different stressors.

One of the presenters taking part in the symposium on "The Evolution of Psychotherapy---Can Biofeedback Advance the Practice of Psychotherapy?" at the APA Convention is Dr. Lynda Thompson. Dr. Thompson is best known for her work in the field of neurofeedback, a type of biofeedback that measures brain activity. Together with her husband, Dr. Michael Thompson, she runs the ADD Centre at the Biofeedback Institute of Toronto. Dr. Michael Thompson describes neurofeedback as, "a non-invasive learning procedure that allows the client to train their own brain, practicing healthy patterns and normalizing functions. This learning is vastly accelerated because we are able to specifically target the learning to the area(s) and the neural networks of the brain that are not functioning appropriately. It is always combined with Heart Rate Variability (plus other peripheral biofeedback measures as necessary for a particular patient).

"Some of the symptoms that can be worked on in training include: anxiety and depression; ADHD; learning difficulties such as dyslexia and math problems; migraine; memory difficulties;  sleep disorders; anger control; and difficulties interpreting social cues such as is found in Asperger’s syndrome and autism."

 

APA Convention - Toronto, ON - August 6-9, 2015

If you're planning to attend the APA Convention in Toronto, we encourage you to take a moment to see how you can incorporate biofeedback into your practice. In addition to Lynda Thompson, the presenters in the symposium include: Carol S. Austad, Cosima Hoetger, Paul Lehrer, Donald Moss, and Patrick Steffan.

Session Title: 2316
The Evolution of Psychotherapy---Can Biofeedback Advance the Practice of Psychotherapy?
Session Type: Symposium
Date: Fri 08/07 4:00PM - 5:50PM
Division/Sponsor: 42-Psychologists in Independent Practice
Building/Room: Convention Centre/Room 206D North Building-Level 200

Click here to read full abstracts.

More About Dr. Lynda Thompson and the ADD Centre

Over the last 23 years Dr. Lynda Thompson with her staff at this Centre have carried out over 150 invited workshops and lectures in 23 countries on 5 continents and have professional publications that include: 8 book chapters, 25 journal articles, and 4 books including the basic textbook in the Neurofeedback field, The Neurofeedback Book:  An Introduction to Basic Concepts in Applied Psychophysiology (2003, 2015), and Functional Neuroanatomy Organized with Reference to Networks, Lobes of the Brain, 10-20 Sites, and Brodmann Areas (2015).

Neurofeedback Workshop in Stoney Lake, ON

Drs. Lynda and Michael Thompson teach two annual neurofeedback workshops at the Viamede Resort, Stoney Lake, Ontario near Peterborough and 1 3/4 hour coach ride from Pearson International Airport Toronto. The upcoming workshop dates are:

September 21-25, 2015 and
May 30 - June 4, 2016

More information is available from www.addcentre.com or by a telephone call to the ADD Centre, Biofeedback Institute of Toronto (905-803-8066).

Click here for details on workshop.



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The Biofeedback Federation of Europe is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Biofeedback Federation of Europe maintains responsibility for this program and its content.