Is Certification necessary in order to become a practitioner?

 Technically no, at least not so far. In fact over 50% of practitioners are not certified and that includes some of the most successful in the field. Some of these uncertified practitioners could easily qualify for certification and some of them cannot.

Certification is a process, and fulfilling the requirements can take some time. The best strategy is to simply acquire the appropriate professional training such as the courses we offer, and simultaneously work on certification requirements. One does not get certified and then practice. The candidate gets started working with patients and then works down the certification requirements. We want to encourage all those who can qualify to go through the certification process. It can justify the cost and time from a marketing perspective alone.

What does a person need to learn to get started?

Depends on who you talk to. We have been answering this question from practitioners eager to get started since 1971. Biofeedback is already a vast and growing scientific art form. Obviously, one who hopes to master it is learning throughout his career.

• Learning the basic traditional biofeedback or neurofeedback skills.
• Acquire a comprehensive overview of the field.
• Understand what additional training will be needed in order to achieve excellence and how to acquire that training.
• Learn to operate equipment well enough to begin self training and the training of properly screened 'easy' clients.
• Understand ethical and supervision issues.
• Acquire enough training so that the potential practitioner can decide what equipment will serve their needs best.

Since 1971 we have brought professionals inexperienced in biofeedback to proficiency in short, inexpensive, intensive programs. As soon as the BCIA Certification Program was created we developed one of the most successful, time-tested and investment efficient BCIA Certification Training Programs in existence, and we are continuously improving it. We vigorously support the BCIA and urge everyone who can qualify to get certified as soon as it is practical.

 

More info : Neurofeedback & Applied Psychophysiology?