The ClinicalQ: Workshops and Online Learning

One of the most popular software suites published by the BFE is Dr. Paul G. Swingle's ClinicalQ and BrainDryvr suite. Users of the software appreciate the built-in instructions to guide the clinician, the simple to read reports generated by the software and most of all the ease and accuracy of the ClinicalQ assessment. 

We are pleased to offer a number of online events for 2015 and are happy to announce that Dr. Swingle will once again be joining us at the BFE Annual Meeting that will take place this year in Rome.


Biofeedback Federation of Europe 18th Annual Meeting
Join us in Rome to attend two 1-day workshops with Dr. Swingle:
Basics of the ClinicalQ Database and Braindriving
Neurotherapeutic Treatment of Depression
Click here for more information.

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2015 ClinicalQ and BrainDryvr Webinar Series
Each webinar in this years' series provides an introduction to the Swingle's ClinicalQ assessment and BrainDryvr methods followed by a discussion of a specific application. Attendees can ask questions during the live interactive format.  (These sessions are open to users of all equipment platforms.) Topics to be covered this year are:

Neurotherapeutic Treatment of Addictions - January 13th
Neurotherapeutic Treatment of Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue, and Pain - April 7th
Neurotherapeutic Treatment of the Sequellae of Emotional Trauma - June 16th
Neurotherapy and the Unique Challenges of Adopted Children - November 7th

Bonus FREE webinar open to all:
Keeping Mentally Sharp While You Age - February 10th
Register at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/992140577

All webinars take place from 3:00-4:00 pm Eastern Time (US & Canada)
Click here to register or to view descriptions of each of the webinars included in the series.

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Monthly Grand Rounds - Second Session Added
Dr. Swingle works with the BFE to support users of his method by offering monthly "grand rounds" sessions during which participants can present cases for review and guidance. Last year we added a second monthly session to meet increased demand and now offer both Thursday and Friday groups. (Sessions are open to users of all equipment platforms.)

2015 - Swingle Grand Rounds - Thursday Series
January 8 | February 12 | March 5
Time: 3:00-4:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

2015 Swingle Grand Rounds - Friday Series
January 9 | February 6 | March 6
Time: 11:00am-12:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Click here for registration information.

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The ClinicalQ and BrainDryvr Suite published by the BFE
The ClinicalQ and BrainDryvr software suite published by the BFE and designed by Dr. Paul Swingle provides a simple method to examine brain activity as a basis for determining training plans quickly and effectively. Results from the assessment are arranged in an easy to read Excel report that includes notes for quick interpretation. The documentation included with the suite guides users through the entire process of hardware hook-up, client preparation, impedance check, data recording and reviewing. The suite documents include a digital version of Basic Neurotherapy: A Clinician's Guide. Sample data is also included with the software program to allow purchasers to see a real-time recording of a BrainDryvr session. (The software is compatible with the BioGraph Infiniti system.) 

"The ClinicalQ is not a poor practitioner's substitution for the full nineteen-site QEEG. Many mini-Q systems are being marketed on exactly that basis. The purpose of using my ClinicalQ is to make neurotherapy much more efficient."  - Dr. Paul G. Swingle, Basic Neurotherapy: A Clinician's Guide

The BFE offers an live online course, co-instructed by Jon Bale and Dr. Paul Swingle. Jon provides all the how-to info on using the software in an easy to understand format and Dr. Swingle joins one of the sessions to offer clinical expertise.

If you are looking for an assessment method that you can easily incorporate into your practice, you can learn more about the software here:

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To learn more about Dr. Swingle's method and adding neurotherapy to your practice, contact the ClinicalQ and BrainDryvr BFE Team at blueswingle@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Swingle Clinic Website
About Dr. Swingle
Basic Neurotherapy: A Clinician's Guide (new edition available soon)
SoundHealth Products

Depression: Retraining the Brain

Discussions of depression and suicide are typically saved for Depression Awareness events, such as Depression Awareness Month coming up in the United States in October, but the recent passing of a beloved comedic and drama film star has the public eye focusing itself on the matter a little early. 

Numerous experts and media personalities have been examining depression from different perspectives. One message we've heard repeatedly is "suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem" (ironically stated by the actor himself) as a reminder for those suffering from depression to seek help. The fact is, there are a lot of treatment approaches out there from antidepressants to a variety of counseling techniques. Lifestyle changes regarding exercise, nutrition and sleep are helpful,  as is maintaining a strong social support network. Often, "seeking help" means trying a number of approaches, or combinations thereof, to see which one works best.

We challenge mental health practitioners to do the same and take a look at another approach that is often overlooked  - neurofeedback. In an upcoming webinar,  Lindsay Hollmuller, MS, LPC, BCN will discuss the benefits of using neurofeedback and quantitative encephalographic analysis with clients suffering from depression. 

One of the more interesting aspects of depression is that genetic susceptibilities are part of the origins. Some individuals carry genetic markers for depression, meaning they have a predisposition to these mood states, not unlike how some families have higher incidents of heart attacks. Disregulation between activity in the frontal lobes has been demonstrated in numerous studies to correlate to depression. This research, pioneered by Richard Davidson's research group, has shown via quantitative encephalography (qEEG) and neuroimaging, that there is a neurophysiological basis for depression. The brain's neurons fire at a variety of speeds, producing different intensities of activity across different firing rates or bandwidths. The asymmetry in the brainwaves between the left and right hemispheres is linked to Alpha bandwidth (8-12Hz) amplitude, specifically the lack of Alpha amplitude in the left lobe compared to the right lobe.

Are the depressed therefore at the mercy of their own brain, without any possibility of respite?

Perhaps there was once a time when the answer was yes, but neurofeedback offers its own answer: no. Just as doctors encourage patients with a family history of diabetes to modify their eating habits in order to avoid the onset of diabetes, neurofeedback practitioners work with clients in order to modify brainwave patterns associated with a predisposition to depression. This training need not be only a preventative treatment, but an excellent adjunct treatment to help those who currently suffer from depression.

How Does Neurofeedback Therapy Work?

The markers for depression manifest themselves as disregularities in the activity levels of the frontal lobes, which through the use of neurofeedback can be retrained. Neurofeedback therapy (or neurotherapy) can correct the hypoactivity in the left hemisphere of an individual, by reinforcement through operant conditioning. An electrode is placed on the individual's left frontal lobe to measure the brainwave activity in the Alpha bandwidth. When the activity increases to a higher level, the individual is given visual and auditory feedback (hearing a tone or seeing an animation/movie play) to reward them. Over multiple sessions, the individual's brain can slowly increase activity in the Alpha range, such that the hypoactivity in the left frontal lobe is no longer apparent.

A case study presented by Lindsay Hollmuller, MS, LPC, BCN

When “Jane Doe” arrived to her first neurofeedback session to treat her symptoms of depression, she reported feelings of sadness, difficulty in concentration and a decrease in functional activity and motivation. Treatment for “Jane Doe” consisted of 2 sessions a week for 3 weeks, a total of 6 sessions of neurofeedback.  According to her self-report daily progress notes, “Jane Doe” reported improvements in mood and emotional outlook indicating more energy, an increase in motivation and concentration, as well as a more “calm” attitude.  She verbalized that it seems as if “the fog has been lifted” and indicated that she feels she is able to more easily make decisions. 

Does this make neurofeedback a miracle cure?

No, although it opens a whole new avenue of possibilities for treating depression.  Like with all therapies, progress with neurotherapy is only achieved when the clinician and the client wholeheartedly work together. Set-backs can sometimes occur. According to Lindsay, "Aside from the mood state disorder itself, there can be other complications in treating individuals for depression with neurofeedback. Neurofeedback requires consistent, regular sessions. If an individual’s lack of motivation is severe enough, they are more likely to be inconsistent with treatment. Missing or cancelling sessions frequently may result in a disruption in treatment can may affect progress in treatment. Many times, individuals will begin to experience the positive effects of the treatment, and be more motivated to attend regular, consistent sessions."

The BFE would like to thank Lindsay Hollmuller, MS, LPC, BCN, for her recent 1-hour webinar presentation on Depression: Retraining the Brain, where she will discussed the research that suggests a neurophysiological basis for depression, and through the use of quantitative encephalographic analysis (QEEG), how retraining the brain through neurofeedback can assist in modifying brain wave patterns associated with depression.

Depression: Retraining the Brain Webinar
Presenter: Lindsay Hollmuller, MS, LPC, BCN
Recording now available.

The BFE offers a wide range of online classes and webinars ideal for mental health professionals who are interested in learning more about neurofeedback. For more information, visit the BFE Online Shop.

Adding Neurotherapy to Your Practice - The Swingle Method

On March 4th, Dr. Paul G. Swingle joined us online to present a webinar on "Adding Neurotherapy to Your Practice". He provided information on using his ClinicalQ and Braindriving methods as a great way to get started in the field.

Health professionals looking to "dip their toes" into proverbial pool that is neurofeedback are often quite overwhelmed by the field. Even with its expanding user-base, information can still be just as difficult to sift through, in search of tangible applications.

Popular questions that come up are always where do you start: Should it be with the theory of EEG utility, or basic clinical applications? Invest in biofeedback equipment and learn as-we-go, or collect volumes of literature for hours of analysis, before any commitment? Depending on the individual, there really is no clear answer and there are many approaches one can take.

Dr. Paul Swingle, a clinical leader in the field of neurotherapy, has helped introduce many therapists to the world of electrodes, brain waves and feedback training. His clinic in Vancouver, Canada, hosts several workshops every year to bring individual up to the level of neurofeedback practitioners.

The ClinicalQ & BrainDryvr method, as designed by Dr. Swingle over the last 40 years, provides an excellent introduction for professionals that desire to add neurofeedback into their practices. The method uses specific, quantified measurements of brain activity, compares them against recorded norms, and outlines how to go about shaping those brain waves to more desirable EEG patterns.

Seeing this need for professionals that want to learn about how neurotherapy can beneficial to their practice, Dr. Swingle presented a 1-hour webinar on that exact topic. Please feel free to watch the below presentation. We at the BFE hope it will give you an introduction to Dr. Swingle's methods and how they can be used to help you and your clients.




If would would like a PDF copy of the "Adding Neurotherapy to Your Practice" powerpoint used in the above video, please follow this link.

Neurotherapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Dr. Paul G. Swingle is a Vancouver based psychologist and an expert in the field of neurotherapy. He is the author of the ClinicalQ and BrainDryvr software suite published by the BFE and will be presenting an upcoming webinar on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. We recently spoke to him about his work in this area.

What are the advantages of using neurotherapy as part of the treatment for PTSD?

Neurotherapy can normalize or improve the brainwave architecture - that is, the way the brain is functioning - and then we typically combine that with some other psychological process for helping the person deal efficiently with the overwhelming emotions associated with the exposure to the traumatic event.  It marries well with other kinds of therapy whether its experiential, EMDR, cognitive behaviour and so forth. Once the brain is functioning more efficiently, then it just markedly enhances the efficacy of these other procedures.

When exposed to the same traumatic experience, why do some experience PTSD, while others do not?

 When I was treating combat veterans at Harvard Medical School McLean Hospital, we had situations in which we would have 3 or 4 veterans, one of whom was hospitalized with PTSD. He was disabled by the event whereas although all of the other people experienced the same thing and might have such problems such as bad dreams, they  weren't disabled by the event. The difference with the person who was disabled was his neurological condition prior to walking into the combat theatre. So, we know one of the areas that we can work with in terms or increasing stress tolerance, but what about the damage that's been done - namely the post traumatic stress disorder - and that is a marked impact on the ability to regulate emotional reactivity. The flashbacks, and all of the rest of it, are associated directly with neurological conditions that we can identify when we do EEG assessments. And if we can identify it, then we know where to go to help correct the problem. 

How does the ClinicalQ assessment work?

The ClinicalQ is an EEG assessment that measures brain activity at five critical locations. The results of the assessment are then compared to a clinical database that is remarkably accurate in terms of indicating why a person is coming to see us. I saw a client the other day - a young man who had been exposed to a recent severe emotional stressor that triggered a predisposition to depressed mood states. When I explained this to him, his  jaw dropped to the floor. How could I possibly know that from looking at brainwave activity? Well, the brain tells us everything. If you've been exposed to a severe emotional stressor recently, it is very likely that the brain is going to show the effects.  And if you have a predisposition for a certain disorder such as depression, exposure to severe emotional stressors may likely trigger that condition. 

Do you think that combat veterans - most of which are young men - are hesitant to seek treatment for PTSD because of stigmas that exist?

That's really a crucial point. Decades ago, when we were dealing with PTSD there was a presumption of a weakness of character and that an individual that was disabled by the exposure to this severe emotional stress had some kind of deficit. We know now that there are neurological conditions that render us more susceptible to one type of disorder than another. With regard to post traumatic stress disorder, there's a very specific area of the brain that's associated with this vulnerability. So, if the client was a police cadet,  prior to going into the policing theatre we would have a look and see if he was neurologically vulnerable and we would do some preventative neurotherapy to better prepare him for the severe stresses of police duty. The focus is on brain functioning - it's exactly what we would do for an Olympic level athlete, exactly what we would do for a CEO of a large company. It's just making the brain more efficient to deal with severe stress. It has absolutely nothing to do with strength of character or mental illness or anything of that nature. 

Are there other therapies that are effective with post traumatic stress disorder?

As I said before, all therapies marry perfectly with neurotherapy.  I do a lot of hypnosis for these kinds of conditions. Once you get the brain so it's functioning efficiently you can use hypnosis for trying to modify the core emotional belief that gets triggered in these post traumatic stress disorder conditions. A good example is the feeling that you're not safe. One of the situations that we get with get severe stress...automobile accidents are a good example of this. When you're driving through an intersection and you have the green light, somebody t-bones you there's a situation where something came right out of the blue. So, after you get all of the physical things sorted out you still have this angst about the world not being a safe place and that's a core emotional belief - its beyond the arena of words. So hypnosis is often an extremely efficient way of having the person reorganize that emotional belief.  

Do you have advice for PTSD sufferers that might not have access to neurotherapy?

A lot of it depends on extent of disability. If you're dealing with somebody who has full blown flashbacks where they become absolutely incapacitated and they're not present, then the notion of giving them advice or home treatment is completely misguided because you need somebody to be able to shepherd the person through all of that. For lesser conditions, we use things like my sweep harmonic,  for example,  which is something akin to EMDR, but it uses sound. If you listen to that sound while you are trying to make the fear as intense as possible, you'll find that it blows it away. So any situation in which the individual is trying to feel, what every cell in their body is telling them to avoid, under conditions in which it is manageable is a positive treatment. For military veterans, it is best to inquire with their case worker who should be familiar with these options.

The BCIA (BiofeedbackCertification International Alliance) website provides a list of practitioners that have been certified in neurofeedback.

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You can learn more about Dr. Swingle and his methods on the BFE Website or by visiting the Swingle Clinic website.

In an upcoming webinar, Dr. Swingle will discuss his approach to treating PTSD.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Presented by: Dr. Paul G. Swingle

Date: November 12, 2013

Time: 3:00-4:00 pm Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Any questions can be directed to Dr. Swingle's BFE Team at blueswingle@gmail.com.

In Montreal with Dr. Paul Swingle

This is a guest post by the BFE's Research Manager Jon Bale.

Jon Bale and Dr. Paul Swingle

As the BFE's Research Manager, I spend most of my time moderating online sessions, teaching online classes, or guiding the software development of the BFE's suites. The opportunity to attend the 1-day Swingle Workshop at the end of May, held in Montreal, was therefore a welcomed change to my work in the digital realm. Facilitating the workshop also presented the chance to finally meet Dr. Paul Swingle in person. It's funny to think that with the 4 years of work Dr. Swingle and myself have done together - including the ClinicalQ & BrainDryvr Suite, Swingle Grand Rounds, Dr. Swingle's Webinar Series - we have never actually physically met.

The 1-day workshop gave a brief introduction to Dr. Swingle's ClinicalQ & BrainDryvr method, but the majority of the day focused on the interpretation of ClinicalQ assessment results. Dr. Swingle dispensed of tips and advice for reading relevant statistics true to his personality: calm and direct, with a touch of humour. "Whenever you get elevated slow frequency in the front of the brain and elevated slow frequency in the back of the brain in a young person, smoking dope is the likely culprit. To be fair, in Vancouver it's already a 50 percent chance of being right when accusing a young person of smoking dope."

Dr. Swingle's style of interaction was consistent with my experiences of him in our online sessions. Participants freely asked questions and referenced their own cases, all of which Dr. Swingle comfortably answered after a thoughtful pause. I did not see any appearance of his inner "New Yorker", with the rough and tough personality, that he enjoys mentioning about himself. Clinicians, including myself, seemed to be enamored with his breadth of knowledge. As one individual described him, "I am just in awe of Dr. Swingle and his work."

Finally meeting Dr. Swingle was quite a pleasure for me, after all these years. In this video, he shares a few words about the workshop, his ClinicalQ and BrainDryvr software suite and the BFE.



If you wished to attend Dr. Swingle's workshop, but could not due to scheduling constraints, please feel free to have a look at the upcoming BFE webinars being given by Dr. Swingle. While the workshop covered a wide range of clinical topics, his 1-hour online webinars each focus on a specific disorder. In addition, the BFE hosts monthly grand rounds sessions with Dr. Swingle during which participants can present cases to Dr. Swingle for review.

Upcoming webinars include:
Attention Problems in Children ADHD - August 13, 2013 - 3:00-4:00pm EST
PTSD - November 12, 2013 - 3:00-4:00pm EST

Grand Rounds:
Summer Session: Jul 11 | Aug 8 | Sep 12
Fall Session: Oct 10 | Nov 14 | Dec 12

We hope to see you online soon!

Dr. Paul Swingle's NEW Grand Rounds

Dr. Paul G. Swingle

We are pleased to welcome back Dr. Paul Swingle for another series of Grand Rounds! Our grand rounds sessions are an ideal way to expand your knowledge about a specific topic or method. They are presented in an interactive format in which participants have the opportunity to present case studies to Dr. Swingle for review. And, because the classes are taught online, you can attend from the comfort of your home or office.

The Thursday sessions are ideal for users of the BFE QuickQ and BrainDryvr suite with the ProComp/BioGraph Infiniti system. Dr. Swingle welcomes and encourages professionals using other hardware/software platforms to attend as well. The Tuesday sessions focus on the use of Mind Work Station software with Infiniti. Dates for the summer and fall sessions are as follows:

QuickQ & BrainDryvr - Dr. Swingle and Associates
Thursday's 3:00 - 4:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) 
SUMMER SERIES:  July 14th | August 11th | September 15th
FALL SERIES: October 13th | November 10th | December 8th

Infiniti & Mind Work Station - Elizabeth Tegan & Dr. Swingle
Tuesday's 11:00 - 12:00 AM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
SUMMER SERIES: July 12th | August 9th | September 13th
FALL SERIES: October 11th | November 8th | December 6th

The price for each 3-session series is $149.00 USD. To register, click here or visit the BFE Online Shop at http://www.bfe.org/buy/

Some feedback from past sessions...

"A few months ago, I became an affiliate with Dr. Swingle’s BFE team and greatly benefited from the teaching, supervision and webinars. I appreciate your "expert suites" that provide assessment ability supported by screens that "work". I am especially very pleased with the online case study discussions with experts. Over the years, following a 2-3 day workshop, I found myself in great need of "integration" when back in my office struggling with challenges from peculiar clients. The monthly meetings online with Dr. Swingle provide wonderful occasions to bring, as they come, these specific concerns to the "expert" and receive his insightful comments. This increases my efficiency with my clients making me feel and look very good!!! It also widens my understanding as I listen to other professionals' present their own unique set of challenges followed by Dr Swingle's point of view and input on how to address them. All that in the comfort of my office at convenient time slots!"
Dr. Suzanne Day

"I have got to say that the Quick Q is really amazing. I thank Dr. Paul Swingle for this. I have seen amazing changes in one of my students after doing only a few neurofeedback sessions that were done after doing a Quick Q and having Dr. Swingle give me advice at one of his Grand Rounds group sessions on-line. This student is also working on heart rate coherence and hand temperature. The combination has been great. Releasing alpha in the back of the head made a huge difference."
Meredith Caplan, LH

Thanks to all participants who joined us for the last session and shared their knowledge with others. We look forward to seeing you at the next session and are always glad to welcome newcomers. Remember, space is limited so register early.

Brain Awareness Week - March 14-20, 2011

We are pleased to announce that we have just been approved by the Dana Foundation as a partner in Brain Awareness Week!

As stated on the official website, "Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is the global campaign to increase public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research. Every March BAW unites the efforts of organizations worldwide in a week-long celebration of the brain."

"During BAW campaign partners organize activities to educate and excite people of all ages about the brain and brain research. Events are limited only by the organizers’ imaginations. Examples include open days at neuroscience laboratories; museum exhibitions about the brain; lectures on brain-related topics; displays at malls, libraries, and community centers; and classroom workshops."

Daily Webinar on Research Topics in Neurofeedback
The BFE will be presenting a daily webinar on Research Topics in Neurofeedback. During this lecture, Mark Schwartz introduces research being conducted by online teams from around the world. Electroencephalography (EEG) biofeedback, also known as neurofeedback and neurotherapy, is hailed by some as an exciting new method to assess and treat clients diagnosed with mental disorders, and criticized by others as an unproven, controversial and poorly controlled fad.

Mark Schwartz, MBA, BSc. Hons is the director of the "Learn From the Best" program run by the Biofeedback Foundation of Europe. He has presented at conferences and led workshops on biofeedback since 1996.

Register Now and Receive BAW Discount
In support of Brain Awareness Week, we are offering all attendees a special price of $20.00 US ($49.00 off the regular price of $69.00 US). For more details or to register, click here.

For more information on BFE Neurofeedback Teams,
contact the team coordinator at blueirep@gmail.com.

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Interested in Learning More About Treating Depression?

We are pleased to announce the return of Dr. Paul G. Swingle for the second webinar in a 4-part series:

Depression and Mood Disorders

April 21, 2010

4:00-5:00 PM EDT

During this lecture, Dr. Swingle will discuss the use of Neurotherapy in treating clients with depression and will address how conditions often considered untreatable by conventional health practitioners respond positively to neurotherapeutic treatment.

Paul G. Swingle, Ph.D., is a Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association and was a Lecturer in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School from 1991 to 1998. Professor Swingle was Chairman of the Faculty of Child Psychology at the University of Ottawa from 1972 to 1977, and Clinical Supervisor from 1987 to 1997. He has also taught at McGill University, Dalhousie University and McMaster University. He is a Registered Psychologist in British Columbia and is (BCIA) Certified in Biofeedback and Neurotherapy. Since 1997 he has been in a private practice in Vancouver, British Columbia. His most recent book, "Biofeedback for the Brain" (2008), was published by Rutgers University Press and has just been released in paperback.

Other topics to be presented as part of this series are:

• September 2010 - Attention and Learning Disorders
• November 2010 - Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue and Anxiety Disorders 

This webinar, as well as the others in the series, is open to health care practitioners as well as the general public. To register, visit the Events page of our website. To view our press release, click here.