2022 Accepted Presenters/Bios (M-Z)
Mari Swingle, PhD Clin Psych
Dr. of Psychology
Biography: Dr. Mari Swingle (PhD & MA Clin Psych, MA Ed), practicing (neuro)therapist, researcher, consultant, and author is a BCIA Senior Fellow BCIA, AAPB BOD, and winner of practice and authorship awards including FABBS Early Career Impact Award for her research on technology, the brain, and behavior. She works with a wide range of neurophysiological ailments including Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, OCD and Addiction and is well known for her work with children and families experiencing behavioral and learning difficulties (e.g., Defiance and Conduct Disorders, ADHD, Dyslexia, Processing, Written Output, & Speech Disorders and the family dynamics that often come with (e.g., Parental Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, and Couple/Parental Dynamics). Over the years Dr. Swingle has found that that many symptoms, for which clients seek psychological services, appear to be exacerbated, if not caused by, excessive or otherwise inappropriate applications of interactive technologies (gaming, porn consumption, social media obsession etc.). This has been the primary focus of her clinical research since 2009.
Mary Ann Cantrell, PhD, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN
Professor/Villanova University
Biography: Dr. Cantrell received a BSN from Duquesne University, an MSN (in Nursing Education) from Villanova University, and a PhD from the University of Maryland. Her clinical area of expertise is Parent/Child Health Nursing and Oncology Nursing. She has two programs of research. Her clinical program of research focuses on advancing the care for pediatric oncology patients, across the illness trajectory, with a focus on health-related quality of life. These studies have included online, mHealth interventions, secondary data analyses, and qualitative investigations. Included within this body of work are studies about the significance of a caring presence among pediatric oncology nurses as an essential component to foster positive treatment outcomes, especially health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for pediatric oncology patients. Her other program of research involves simulation-based research among pre-licensure students to examine practice outcomes that include clinical judgment, clinical reasoning, and safety.
Matthew Bennett, MA, MBA
President/Optimal Innovation Group
Biography: Bennett is a relentless advocate for trauma-informed care and other interventions that help people and communities heal. His passion manifests in his books Connecting Paradigms, Talking about Trauma & Change, Heart Rate Variability, and Trauma-Sensitive Early Education as well as his Trauma-Informed Lens and Heart Rate Variability Podcasts. Matt combines his masters’ degrees in psychology and business administration with his practical experience as a therapist and leader to develop research-based solutions and trainings to improve the health of individuals, staff, organizations, and systems. As soon as Matt learned about HRV, he saw its life-changing potential. For him, HRV became the next logical step in his work with the trauma-informed care paradigm, self-care, and trauma-informed leadership. After spending months trying to figure out how to help integrate existing HRV technology into services, his frustration led him to create HRV specifically for those trying to help others live their best life.
Yes, I have financial interests to disclose.
Optimal HRV
Owner
Maurice (Barry) Sterman, PhD
Professor Emeritus, Neurobiology & Bio-behavioral Psychology, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
Michael Linden, Psychologist
Director-Attention Learning Center
Biography: Michael Linden is a licensed Psychologist and a Nationally Certified Biofeedback and Neurofeedback Therapist. Dr. Linden has been the director of Attention Learning Centers and specialized in assessment/treatment of ADD/ASD since 1982. Dr. Linden discovered 6 subtypes of Autism & 2 types of Aspergers biomarkers based on QEEG research, which has greatly improved the success of Neurofeedback, Biofeedback and other biological treatments for ASD (Journal of AAPB, 2010; “QEEG Guided Neurofeedback for Autism” in the book Images in Autism, 2013). Dr. Linden’s programs of Biofeedback and QEEG Guided Neurofeedback have resulted in improvements for children, adolescents and adults in attention, hyperactivity, communication, socialization, behavior and even seizure disorders. His studies using QEEG and Neurofeedback have been featured in the LA times, NBC Dateline, ABC News, PBS, NBC News, NBC “Autism: The Hidden Epidemic”, and CBS “The Doctors”. Dr. Linden was involved in the initial research studies of the Theta/Beta ratio with ADHD and published the first controlled study of Neurofeedback with ADHD more than 20 years ago. Dr. Linden has presented about brain functioning and treatments for ASD/ADHD nationally at the National Autism Association, TACA, CHADD & Autism One; and internationally at Peking University (China), University of Madrid & the Australia Neuroscience Society. He was involved in a multi-site study of the effects of QEEG Guided Neurofeedback on connectivity measures and DTI with ASD students.
Nicholas Dogris, PhD, QEEG-D, BCN
CEO, NeuroField Neurotherapy
Biography: Dr. Nicholas Dogris is a psychologist who has been working in the EEG field for over 25 years. He is a licensed psychologist who runs a clinic in Santa Barbara and Bishop California. He is board certified in neurofeedback and also holds a QEEG-D certification. Dr. Dogris was originally trained in neurofeedback by Margaret Ayers in the 1990’s and would go on to learn many different EEG platforms over the years. In 2007 he co-founded NeuroField, Inc with Brad Wiitala and developed the first EEG synchronized pEMF stimulation that utilized z-score data analysis and real time feedback. Dr. Dogris and Brad Wiitala went on to develop many other innovations over that past 12 years including synchronized tDCS/tACS/tRNS/tAPNS/pEMF in the new NeuroFiedl64 software platform.
Yes, I have financial interests to disclose.
NeuroField
Owner
Paul Lehrer, PhD
Rutgers RW Johnson Medical School
Biography: Dr. Lehrer has been doing research on HRV biofeedback for over 20 years, as one of a small group of investigators who originated this field of study. He received his PhD degree in clinical psychology from Harvard University, and has been teaching at Rutgers for 50 years, where he has specialized in stress management and applied psychophysiology.through the Department of Psychiatry. He is past president of AAPB, and has been given AAPB's Distinguished Scientist Award and Outstanding Service Award. He has published more than 100 papers and has been senior editor of the text, Principles and Practice of Stress Management.
Peter Behel, MA
PacificBio
Biography: Peter Behel is a long time biofeedback practitioner, originally becoming certified by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America in 1980. A former President of the Biofeedback Society of California, Peter has for the past 39 years practiced in multiple clinical and hospital settings. He began practicing in a functionally-based, rehabilitative hospital setting originally in 1986, and was later a member of a behavioral medicine staff at a psychiatric hospital in 1990. He is currently involved in private practice in Santa Rosa, Ca.
Raouf Gharbo, DO
Virginia Commonwealth University Director of Cardio & Wellness Integration
Biography: Raouf (Ron) Gharbo D.O. is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMR) and Neuromuscular Electrophysiology and has 24 years practicing polytrauma rehabilitation and integrative pain management. He was recently named Director of Cardiac & Wellness Integration at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia. At VCU he serves as an authority for pragmatically applying heart rate variability science using remote monitoring, wearable technology, and telehealth for the VA/DoD’s Long-term Impact of Military-relevant Brain Injury Consortium/Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (LIMB-CENC). He delivered a 50th-anniversary Keynote presentation for the Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback in 2019. He published a synopsis of his methodology, Autonomic Rehabilitation: Adapting to Change in the PM&R Clinics of North America journal in 2020. In 1988 he was The Ohio State University’s top male scholar-athlete and the University’s first walk-on All-American wrestler.
Yes, I have financial interests to disclose.
(1) Peerbridge Health (2) Medical Director Lief Therapeutics
Richard Gevirtz, PhD, BCB, AAPB Honorary Fellow
CSPP@Alliant International University
Biography: Dr. Richard Gevirtz is a Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University in San Diego. He has been in involved in research and clinical work in applied psychophysiology and biofeedback for the last 30 years and was the president of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 2006-2007. His primary research interests are in understanding the physiological and psychological mediators involved in disorders such as chronic muscle pain, fibromyalgia, and gastrointestinal pain. In this vein, he has studied applications of heart rate variability biofeedback for anxiety, pain, gastrointestinal, cardiac rehabilitation and other disorders. He is the author of many journal articles and chapters on these topics. He also maintains a part time clinical practice treating patients with anxiety and stress related disorders.
Robert "Rusty" Turner, MD
Network Neurology Health LLC
Biography: Dr. Robert ‘Rusty’ Turner is owner of Network Neurology Health LLC, an integrative neuroscience consulting practice in Charleston SC. From 2013 to early 2020, he owned Network Neurology LLC, a busy clinical neurology/neuromodulation practice. Dr Turner is trained in EEG and clinical neurophysiology, child/adult neurology, epilepsy, neuromuscular disease, electrodiagnostic medicine, and neurodevelopmental medicine, as well as pediatrics, clinical research, biostatistics, and neuroepidemiology. Dr. Turner was tenured associate professor of pediatrics, neurology, and biostatistics/epidemiology/bioinformatics at MUSC for 17 years, then entering the fields of neuroregulation/neuromodulation and neurofeedback. During his full-time tenure at MUSC, he served as medical director of the Clinical Neurophysiology Lab and senior faculty of the MUSC Comprehensive Epilepsy Center.
As a full-time faculty member at MUSC 1997-2013, he completed the Master of Science in Clinical Research fellowship to pursue research interests combining music, neuromodulation/neurostimulation, and neuroepidemiology of TBI for persons with epilepsy, neuropsychiatric disorders, and traumatic brain injury.
Robert Reiner, PhD, BCB, BCN, Psychologist
Director/Behavioral Associates
Biography: Dr. Reiner has been a pioneer in the NY tristate area in expanding the use of biofeedback into clinical practice. He is a regular instructor in BCIA certification seminars. He has been featured on local and national media outlets for his expertise in innovative virtual reality enhanced treatments for Phobias and Anxiety Disorders including National Geographic, Fox and MTV. He is the founder and CEO of Behavioral Associates, a large group practice focusing on utilizing biofeedback to treat a variety of psychological and physical conditions ranging from Chronic Pain to Video Game Addiction. He is known for integrating psychophysiological assessments with psychological and neuropsychological data to tailor treatment protocols to patients.
Ronald J. Swatzyna, PhD, LCSW
Director of Electro-Neuro Analysis Research, The Tarnow Center
Biography: Ronald J. Swatzyna, PhD received his MSSW and PhD from The University of Texas Arlington. He is the Director of Electro-Neuro Analysis Research and Director of Neurotherapy at the Tarnow Center in Houston, Texas. Dr. Swatzyna is a LCSW, and is board certified in neurofeedback and biofeedback by the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). For the past 22 years, he has analyzed and treated the most diagnostically challenging cases. Fifteen years ago, he started using EEG and qEEG data to assist psychiatrists in medication selection and titration. As a researcher, he has presented and/or published 80 peer-reviewed papers on brain dysfunction and psychotropic medication at national and international conferences and now is a member of the Neuropsychiatric Electrophysiology Section of the World Psychiatric Association. Dr. Swatzyna is a US Air Force veteran of Vietnam and the first Gulf War and, he is a retired professional firefighter-EMT.
Sadaf Ahmed, PhD
University of Karachi
Biography: Dr. Sadaf Ahmed has a Ph.D in Human Physiology with expertise in Psychophysiology & behavioral Neurosciences. Pakistan’s pioneer to introduce Psychophysiology in various institute and mental health sector, and co- authored Pakistan’s first stress evaluating tool “Sadaf Stress Scale (SSS)”, currently serving as an assistant professor at Department of Physiology, University of Karachi as well as founder and CEO of Advance educational Institute & research Centre (www.aeirc-edu.com) and put forward the initiative of establishing psychophysiology (psychophysiology.pk) in Pakistan. She is currently working on Psychophysiological aspects of Mastectomy in Breast cancer survivors as her Post Doctorate. Representing Pakistan academic and health sector globally with her sections as trainer internationally as well as executive members of many scientific organization across the globe. She won various grant awards including from HEC, IBRO, Microsoft, Govt. of Sindh etc. Author of two full books and numerous manuals along with a list of significant research papers. A mystic writer and well-known public speaker related to mental health, gender inequalities, Health and wellbeing, Build up a great team in the last 18 years and promoting the necessary workup require in respective field along with finding the gaps and connecting the dots, with a laser focus on raising responsiveness and gather like-minded people for facilitating the ideas to support the victims, survivors, emotional and psychological damage and exclusion.
Scott Lloyd, PhD, BCB, BCN
Director of Therapeutic Technology
Biography: Dr. Lloyd has expanded the use of technology at Behavioral Associates. Helping to create a network of treatment suites equipped with bio and neurofeedback and virtual reality capabilities. A veteran presenter, he has a knack for making technology approachable and relatable for people of various skill levels.
Taylor Capozziello, PhD, BCB, BCN, CMT
Elite Physiology
Biography: Taylor Capozziello has her PhD in Psychology, specialization in Psychophysiology. For 18 years she was a massage therapist and won Best of the Bay for two years in a row prior to converting her practice into her company, Elite Physiology, which incorporates neuromodulation and biofeedback. Her dissertation examined the effect of hip angle and center of gravity changing on breathing. Other topics of study include studying qEEGs to explore how testosterone, when taken as a supplement for gender identification reasons, changes the brain’s presentation. She is also Vice President of San Francisco Beekeepers Association and keeps bees at her home in San Francisco. The study of bees and brains overlap quite a bit and is a fascinating area of research that she enjoys learning about in her pastime.
Yes, I have financial interests to disclose.
I have my practice and am the owner of Elite Physiology
Elite Physiology teaches breathing biofeedback
Tiff Thompson, PhD, R.EEG.T., BCN, QEEG-D, MFT
CEO, Neurofield Neurotherapy & CEO, School of Neurotherapy
Biography: Tiff is a board certified neurotherapist, licensed psychotherapist, and Quantitative EEG Diplomate who owns and runs a neurotherapy clinic in Santa Barbara. She is a Registered EEG Technician, a medical credential bestowed by the American Society of Neurodiagnostic Technicians. She has worked in both neurology clinics and clinical settings, and has taught courses in Public Speaking, as well as argumentation and Debate at the University of Maryland. Tiff has served as the Executive Director of the Western Association of Biofeedback and Neuroscience (formerly Biofeedback Society of California). She holds two Master’s degrees, as well as a PhD in Psychology; her dissertation was on the intersection between electroencephalography (EEG) and the psychodynamic model of the psyche. Tiff is the CEO and Founder of the School of Neurotherapy, an online and live education platform that hosts QEEG-D didactic training, EEG courses neuromodulation training, and soon-to-come BCIA didactic training.
Wesley Sime, PhD, MPH
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Emeritus
Biography: Dr. Wes Sime is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant on the Registry of the USOC. He is a licensed psychologist and professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. He was a founding member of BCIA and helped develop the Stress Management Certification program, now a special interest group of AAPB, previously the International Stress and Tension Control Association. He was a medical consultant for the Army Center for Enhanced Performance. His clients include elite athletes, physicians, CEO's and veterans with PTSD. His methods include biofeedback, progressive relaxation, sensory awareness relaxation training, EMDR and Pace Assisted Dissociation Association.
