Professional Biofeedback Certification Course

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This self-directed, learn-at-your-own-pace, online course provides you with the basic introductory education in biofeedback history, theory, and clinical applications. A variety of biofeedback modalities are covered, such as electromyography (EMG), electrodermal activity (EDA), thermal / temperature biofeedback, respiration biofeedback, and heart rate variability. Several adjunctive, mind-body interventions will be introduced, such as mindfulness / meditation training, progressive muscles relaxation, breathwork, autogenic training, and guided imagery / visualization.

You will receive 6-month access to this course, which includes video lectures, articles and handouts, as well as suggested, companion reading lists. While a few topic areas have no associated video lectures, you will be able to gain all the necessary information through the posted articles and recommended readings. Each section concludes with a brief assessment (quiz) to test your knowledge and identify areas of the BCIA Blueprint for further review and investigation. Enrollment includes ongoing access to Professional Biofeedback Certification Community Discussion Forum where you can pose questions, as well as review previous conversations from others in the Community.

ELIGIBILITY

This course is open to professionals in a BCIA-approved healthcare field. This includes medicine, nursing, physician's assistant, chiropractic, exercise physiology, physical & occupational therapy, social work, counseling, marriage family therapy, recreational therapy, speech and pathology.

COURSE FORMAT

• Video lectures
• Posted articles
• Recommended readings in text: The Clinical Handbook of Biofeedback: A Step-by-Step Guide for Training and Practice with Mindfulness (First Edition) by Inna Z Khazan
• Online assessments
• Community discussion forum

TAKEAWAYS (EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES)

By the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:

• Define and explain the foundations and history of biofeedback.
• Describe learning theories applicable to biofeedback.
• Provide biological, neurological and psychological rationale for the use and benefit of biofeedback, and explain various models of the stress response.
• Describe each of the various biofeedback modalities covered throughout the course, including:
• • electrodermal activity (EDA) - skin conductance (SC)
  • surface electromyography (sEMG)
  • temperature and thermal biofeedback
  • respiration biofeedback and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA)
  • peripheral blood flow (BVP)
  • heart rate - photoplethysmograph (PPG) and electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • heart rate variability (HRV)
• Explain the technology involved in operating biofeedback equipment, including the sensors, how to record and interpret data, identify artifact and determining appropriate recording.
• Demonstrate proper attach of electrodes, sensors and equipment.
• Formulate a rationale and plan for biofeedback for various conditions.
• Perform psychophysiological profile and pre- and post- data comparison.
• Describe each of the adjunctive mind-body therapeutic techniques used in concert with biofeedback, such as mindfulness and meditation training, progressive muscle relaxation, quieting reflex, breathwork, autogenic training, guided imagery and heart-centered meditation/loving-kindness meditation.

BCIA BLUEPRINT TOPICS COVERED (via video lecture + readings)

• Orientation to Biofeedback
• Stress, Coping, and Illness
• Psychophysiological Recording
• Research Methodology
• sEMG Applications
• Autonomic Nervous System Applications
• Respiration Applications
• Intervention Strategies
• Ethics & Standards

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Self-directed, learn-at-your-own-pace curriculum based on the BCIA (Biofeedback Certification International Alliance) blueprint that can be accessed 24-hours a day.
• You will have 6-months from time of purchase to complete the course (videos, articles and notes).
• As a student you will gain access to Course Biofeedback Community Discussion Forum where you can ask questions, discuss cases, share stories, and get tips about all things biofeedback and mind-body medicine.
• Online assessments (quizzes) will help you test your knowledge and help identify topic areas for all sections of the BCIA Blueprint for you to re-visit for further learning.
• Certificate of course completion.

Currently, this course does not offer continuing education credits. However, this course (videos, readings and practice exam) covers most of the 42-hour didactic requirement for certification in general biofeedback by Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA).