Trauma- Informed Neurofeedback Certification Program FAQS
What are the requirements to qualify for the Trauma Informed Neurofeedback Certificate Program? (i.e. licensing/credentials, etc.)
This certification is open to health care providers and clinicians who are actively licensed in their field.
Is the course BCIA accredited?
This course is BCIA accredited. It meets the requirements of the BCIA blueprint and counts towards 36 BCIA didactic hours. It is also approved for 36 APA CE credits (attendance at all live Q&As is mandatory).
If you also wish to pursue BCIA certification, their website states: This certification is open to professionals who can document a minimum of a BA/BS degree in a BCIA-approved health care field completed at a regionally accredited academic institution (an Accredited Institution of Post-secondary Education as determined by the American Council on Education). **All International applicants for BCIA certification programs, outside of the US and Canada, must carry a valid government-issued license/credential that regulates clinical health care practice. For additional information, please see our International Welcome tab.**
BCIA-approved health care fields include psychology, medicine, nursing (including two-year registered nurses with license, not LVNs or LPNs), physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, counseling, marriage family therapy, rehabilitation, chiropractic, recreational therapy, physician’s assistant (with certification or license), exercise physiology, speech pathology, and sports medicine. The following fields require a master’s degree: music therapy and counseling education (MEd in counseling)
Are there any special considerations, needs, equipment, etc. that I need to be aware of in order to participate in this course?
- Reliable Internet Access
- Loaner equipment is offered through BeeMedic for the duration of the didactic portion of the course. Notes:
- BeeMedic requires a Windows Operating System – for more details, contact BeeMedic;
- Running a NF session requires a monitor associated with the computer plus a second monitor. The second monitor is not part of the loaner program;
- BeeMedic will provide a loaner laptop if your computer is not compatible.
- Equipment is shipped to students from BeeMedic in time for the first practicum training session. BeeMedic will also provide assistance with setup.
- Equipment is available for the US and Canada and on a case by case basis for countries elsewhere.
- Additional Terms and Conditions for TRF Loaner/Rental Systems
What will I be qualified to do after I complete the Trauma Informed Certificate?
You will have a basic understanding of how to do high frequency neurofeedback and how to train people who have experienced trauma with neurofeedback. From this point forward, you can continue your overall training and development as a neurofeedback provider and can work towards BCIA certification (optional) .
I am a university student pursuing a degree in a medical or mental health field. Can I take this course?
We are happy to have students pursuing a clinical degree interested in joining the course! Some things to be aware of:
- You must be licensed to purchase NF equipment.
- BeeMedic is able to loan equipment to students for the duration of the practicum section of the course. Following the didactic portion, you will need to return the loaner equipment and consider if you want to rent or buy equipment to continue with your training.
- You are eligible to participate in the Case Study Groups (CSG) following the completion of the 36 hour online course.
- The Trauma Informed CSG occurs following the return of the loaner equipment. To participate and be credited for the CSG, you need to be engaged in practice cases, which requires equipment purchase or rental.
- A “work around” for students who seek to purchase equipment is to have a licensed provider accept responsibility for the purchase and use of equipment. This would be coordinated with the equipment vendor
- BCIA ([email protected]) is a good resource for inquiring if your field of study and/or current status allows you to engage in the practice of NF clinically.
- There are unlicensed people who work with NF (ie. for peak performance). Still, there are regulations regarding the purchase of equipment, as the equipment is FDA cleared.
What is the difference between didactic training and full BCIA certification?
The TRF Neurofeedback Certificate Program is one part of the BCIA Board Certification requirements and fulfills the didactic portion of the BCIA certification requirements
Will I be able to start practicing NF after completing this course, or are there additional requirements?
This course will provide you with basic knowledge so you can begin to “practice” neurofeedback on yourself and non – clients such as family members and friends. We strongly recommend that following the TRF Neurofeedback Certificate Program, you should pursue mentoring and further training/course work as you begin to train select clients/patients.
Are there additional costs in the TRF Neurofeedback Certificate Program and the BCIA Board Certification process?
TRF Neurofeedback Certificate Program + BCIA Board Certification Requirements Cost & Income Estimates:
- Mentoring: (19 hours required beyond what if offered with the TRF Certification): $2,375.00
- Equipment: $7,000.00 – $10,000.00
Cost for the required Neuroanatomy course varies
- Total: (approx.) $ $11,875 – $14,875
Income – based on charging $25 more per session than your usual fee:
- 10 sessions/week $250.00
- 40 weeks/year $10,000.00
Does this course meet the requirements for BCIA Board Certification in Neurofeedback?
The TRF Neurofeedback Certificate Program includes several elements that qualify for BCIA board certification but not all. It also includes many components that are not included in other BCIA NF courses that are provided in the form of supplemental materials and videos. Please see chart below for details:
The TRF Neurofeedback Certificate Program includes:
Key Program Elements
Meets BCIA Requirement OR Is Above and Beyond BCIA Requirement
36 hour professionally recorded video course – access for 6 months- this meets the requirements for the BCIA Blueprint of Knowledge.
Meets BCIA Requirement
10 hours of community meetings – live via zoom
Above and beyond BCIA Requirement
6 hours of practicum training to learn how to use the equipment – live via zoom
Above and beyond BCIA Requirement
Loaner equipment from BeeLab provided during the course practicum
Above and beyond BCIA Requirement
Trauma Focused Case Study Group – 12 hours- 10 case studies qualify towards BCIA Board Certification- live via zoom
Meets BCIA Requirement
Supplemental Videos in course to enhance your learning
Above and beyond BCIA Requirement
3 case studies – qualify towards BCIA Board Certification – recorded
Meets BCIA Requirement
1 individual mentoring session – individually scheduled via zoom
Meets BCIA Requirement
Special guest lecturer with renowned industry leaders such as Bessel van der Kolk, Ruth Lanius, Sebern Fisher, Joy Lunt.
Above and beyond BCIA Requirement
BCIA Board Certification requirements not included in TRF Neurofeedback Certificate Program:
Equipment
What type of equipment is used in the course?
This course does not endorse any specific equipment manufacturer, however, the program includes the loan of BeeLab from BeeMedic for the practicum Community Meetings that occur in the didactic training portion of the course. (see website for practicum dates). However, we are happy to include practitioners who have already have other equipment as the course focuses on learning how to do neurofeedback regardless of specific equipment. Once the basics of neurofeedback are learned, any FDA cleared NF equipment can be used.
How (and when) do I get signed up for loaner equipment?
After the course registration is closed, BeeMedic is provided with a list of course enrollees. BeeMedic will reach out to the course enrollees to offer loaner equipment, which will be shipped so that it can be installed for you before the first Community Meeting practicum session (see website for practicum dates). Please note that you will need a computer that supports the software (not compatible with MAC), or BeeMedic will loan you a laptop as well. The contract with BeeMedic will specify when the equipment must be returned, which will be facilitated shortly after the last practicum session. You will then need to consider whether you wish to rent or buy equipment (from BeeMedic or other manufacturers) to continue your training.
NOTE: The Case Study Group occurs following the return of the loaner equipment. To participate and be credited for the CSG, you need to be engaged in practice cases, which requires equipment purchase or rental.
What are the equipment costs involved (during and after the course)?
This depends on the equipment you select. The basic equipment (sensors, amplifier, software, technical support) costs between $4000 and $10,000. This does not include the cost of a computer and/or monitor. When purchasing equipment, you need to consider if you just want the basics or if you want a system that offers more channels, alpha-theta training, coherence training, etc. Some manufacturers offer a basic system and others allow you to purchase a basic system that you can build on. This is discussed in the course. Please refer to the equipment manufacturers/distributors for more information.
Case Study Program
How do I register for the TRF case study group component of the program?
During the period of time when you are participating in the didactic training, you will receive an email that allows you to sign up for one of the Case Study Groups that are offered on various days/times. Signups are on a first come, first serve basis.
If you are not registered for the TRF NF Certification program, you can register and pay for the Case Study Groups only by emailing [email protected]. Documentation that you have successfully completed a BCIA NF course is required.
Mentoring
How do I register for mentoring?
If you are pursuing BCIA board certification, you are required to complete 25 contact hours with a BCIA approved mentor.
Your course registration includes your first mentoring session with your choice of Angelika or Mitch, at no additional cost (value $150). Additional mentoring sessions with any of the Sadar Psychological mentors are available at a discounted rate of $125 for registered students.
If you are pursuing BCIA Certification in addition to the Trauma Informed Neurofeedback Certification through TRF, we recommend:
- that you schedule your first mentoring with Mitch or Angelika after the first live Q&A session, as we find that lots of initial questions are addressed in this meeting. Many people like to wait until they are ready to begin training on equipment (following Section VIII) to schedule their first mentoring session.
- that you have more than one mentor as you complete your certification. This way you will be exposed to a variety of approaches as you develop your particular approach to doing neurofeedback. All of our mentors are BCIA approved. To schedule a mentoring session, please reach Kristin at [email protected]. She will provide you with complete details regarding mentoring with Mitch, Angelika, or any of the other Sadar Psychological mentors.
Community Meetings & Practicums
Where is the schedule for live sessions (cohorts, case studies, practicums)?
The live Cohort session schedule is located in the first section of the course (Getting Started) within the lesson titled “Zoom Link for Meetings). It is also on the TRF website.
Where do I find the Zoom link for the live sessions?
The links are located in the first section of the course (Getting Started) within the lesson titled “Zoom Link for Meetings”. You will also receive an email reminder with the links prior to scheduled live sessions.
Where do I find recordings from the live meetings?
Recordings are posted in the course below the Supplemental Documents section (titled according to type of session, i.e. Spring Cohort, Case Study, etc.). The recordings from live meetings are posted within 3-4 business days of the session
Where can I find the Q&A responses from the chat?
The responses to the chat questions are posted with the recording. Please allow 10 days for the responses to be posted.
What is the process and requirements for participation in the practicums?
The practicums are included in the Trauma Informed Intro to NF Certificate Program. The schedule is posted on the website and in the “Getting Started” section of the course along with the Zoom meeting links. Live participation is strongly encouraged.
General Course Questions
How long do I have access to the course?
You have access to the course for 12 months which brings beyond date of the last Case Study Group . Course access can be extended beyond that for a fee of $75 for a 3 month extension.
Where can I get access to the Neurofeedback Log that is in the Supplemental Documents section?
When you begin mentoring, you will be provided with a personal copy of the NF log.
How do I get help with problems in the course?
- If you have questions about technical issues or navigating the course platform, please email [email protected]
- If you have questions about the content, lectures, or equipment, please email [email protected].
- If you would like to schedule a mentoring appointment with Mitch or Angelika, please email [email protected]. Your first mentoring session is complementary and can be scheduled at any time, however, we recommend that you wait until you have reached the Patient/Client Assessment Section of the course before scheduling your first mentoring session. You can schedule before that if you like.
- If you have questions about BCIA certification requirements, please email [email protected]
I am unable to download the PDF documents in the course. My browser states that the connection is not private.
The course platform, Thinkific, is a secure website. If you are having difficulties with downloading:
- Try a different browser
- Check the privacy settings in your browser and adjust to allow for downloads
- Check with your IT department as there may be firewall settings that prevent external downloads
I have some suggestions for course improvements. Where should I send them?
Please send any suggestions to [email protected]. All suggestions will be taken to our committee for consideration in future updates to the course.
Certificates and Continuing Education
How do I get my CE Certificate?
Once you have completed all ten sections of the online course, proceed to section XI for instructions on how to get your certificate that indicates completion of the BCIA approved course and to receive APA CEs.
How do I get my BCIA certificate?
Once you have completed all ten sections of the course, proceed to section XI for instructions on how to get your certificate.
How do I get my TRF Trauma-Informed Neurofeedback Program Certificate?
Upon completion of all components of the program, and with approval from your CSG Instructor that you have met all of the course criteria, you will be emailed the certificate from the Trauma Research Foundation.
