CE #6 Feedback with integrity: Tips for ethical biofeedback and neurofeedback

Presented by: Lynda Thompson, PhD

DESCRIPTION

This program will cover practical tips that all neurofeedback and/or biofeedback clinicians can apply for increased success regardless of the gender, ethnic background, culture, or socioeconomic status of the client. It covers evidence-based practice and what has been learned and fine-tuned during 30 years of clinical practice. The presentation will address common ethical problems, ethics oversights, and methods to ensure psychologists engage in ethical practice, including consideration of a holistic approach that does not extend beyond a psychologist’s area of expertise.

Learning Objectives

As a result of participating, the attendee will be able to:
1.  List and explain 3 components of an overall treatment plan that would enhance the success of neurofeedback and biofeedback, noting pertinent aspects of a treatment plan related to the cultural or socioeconomic background of the client, and how you would address each of the components with the client if they do not lie within your scope of practice.

2. Analyze two newer adjunctive interventions that complement neurofeedback and biofeedback to further enhance outcomes and explain how to assess their efficacy if they are not FDA-cleared or backed by peer-reviewed research.

3. Describe how, based on the current research, you would assess the ethics related to manual settings and changing thresholds for rewards during training versus using auto thresholds.

DIVERSITY STATEMENTS

This presentation will mention the obstacles related to populations with financial limitations and those that are limited based on geographic location. The topics discussed apply to all races, genders, and most ages (>5 years) equally. The widely used EEG normative databases do not differ according to race, ethnicity, or sex: the norms differ only according to age.

Question to reflect on diversity issues: What are some ways that the holistic methods discussed in this presentation could be applied in an educational setting that has limited funding/financial resources? Do others have alternative viewpoints?

BIOGRAPHY

Lynda Thompson, Ph.D., is a psychologist who has done teaching, clinical psychology, school psychology, and own learning centers.  She became the executive director of The ADD Centre in Toronto in 1993 after discovering the world of neurofeedback and deciding to specialize in that intervention. Her doctoral dissertation dealt with hyperactive children treated with methylphenidate.  She is co-author of The A.D.D. with William Sears. Book: New Understandings, New Approaches to Parenting Your Child. In addition to The ADD Book, co-authored with the pediatrician William Sears, she is co-author with Michael Thompson of The Neurofeedback Book and Functional Neuroanatomy, both published by AAPB. She has published nine book chapters and 14 journal articles, focusing on ADHD, Asperger’s Syndrome, seizure disorders, and stress management. Dr. Thompson has lectured in 25 countries and presented frequently at professional meetings.