Certificate in Professional Psychophysiology CP001
– $3,000 for 5 CE courses and a capstone paper
Certificate Coordinator: Richard A. Sherman
Certificate Faculty: Cynthia Kerson, Ph.D., Tim Herzog, Ph.D., Paul Lehrer, Ph.D.
Curtis M. Wildes
PhD, MS, ATC, CSCS, PES, DO(EU)
Dr. Curtis Wildes brings over 18 years of expertise in human performance optimization within sports medicine and sports physiology as a Certified/Licensed Athletic Training, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Performance Enhancement Specialist, integrative Osteopathic wellness practitioner, and Applied Psychophysiologist. With experience working for various elite organizations such as the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee, USA-National Governing Bodies - Volleyball, Speedskating, Luge, and Bobsled/Skeleton, International performers as a therapist with Cirque du Soleil, and professional teams such as the Baltimore Orioles and Real Salt Lake FC– his career has been focused on the continued development, optimization, and innovation of athletes, organizations, and sport. Dr. Wildes has developed an eclectic, multidisciplinary approach to sports performance medicine, holistic wellness, and integrative mind-body therapies he uses clinically and lectures on to this day. Dr. Wildes holds a doctorate in Applied Psychophysiology from Saybrook University (Pasadena, CA), an international clinical doctorate in Osteopathic Manual Practices from National University of Medical Sciences (Madrid, Spain), and a Master of Science in Athletic Training and Kinesiology from the University of Hawai’i (Honolulu, HI). His interests include integrative performance optimization using biofeedback and neurofeedback based optimization training focusing on the biomechanics needs, physiological requirements, and cognitive performance demands placed on elite performers; as well as how technological innovations such as sEMG can change the outcome of injury management. Currently, Dr. Wildes is a member of the US Air Force 58th RQS Human Performance Optimization team at Nellis AFB (Nevada) and holds adjunct faculty positions at Logan University (Chesterfield, MO), Saybrook University (Pasadena, CA), University of New England (Portland, ME), and EDUKAN (Overland Park, KS).
The Behavioral Medicine Foundation offers a Certificate of Professional Studies in Psychophysiology to professionals taking five of our courses psychophysiology courses and writing a paper summarizing what they have learned. People wanting to take the certificate must be appropriately trained and credentialed clinicians, educators, or coaches.
This certificate is a valuable way to provide evidence of solid training in psychophysiological techniques and biofeedback. The certificate lists the courses taken, the number of hours of training in each, and the major topics in which training was provided. The training required for the certificate goes well beyond that required for certification in biofeedback by organizations such as the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) as it demonstrates a far greater depth of knowledge and covers a broader spectrum of behavioral interventions and knowledge than only biofeedback. This is an academic certificate of knowledge rather than a clinical practice certification such as BCIA’s biofeedback certification.
Each course is between 36 and 50 CEs and is provided by distance education. The Behavioral Medicine R&T Foundation is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Behavioral Medicine R&T Foundation maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
The required core CE (continuing education) courses for the certificate are (1) PH007 Biological basis of behavior (Introduction to psychophysiology), (2) PH010 General biofeedback (psychophysiological assessment and intervention), and (3) a capstone paper summarizing what has been learned while taking the certificate.
Participants who have already taken a course equivalent to either of the above may substitute any of the psychophysiology CE courses for the one already taken with concurrence of the certificate coordinator. The remaining courses are negotiated between the certificate coordinator and the student.
Participants who wish to meet the standards for certification by BCIA must have a college level course in anatomy and physiology. Participants who do not have such a course can take our A&P CE course (PH011) as one of the certificate courses as it is designed specifically for people who need A&P to provide behavioral interventions. They may also wish to meet the mentoring requirement by taking our mentoring CE course (PH___). Different versions of the course are available depending on whether the participant is interested in certification in general biofeedback, EEG biofeedback (neurofeedback), or pelvic floor disorders biofeedback. Participants taking the mentoring course must have access to an appropriate biofeedback device and be available to work with the instructor for a minimum of one hour per week via the web based program “go to meeting”.
While participants can take any CE course offered by the Psychophysiology Specialization (with concurrence by the certificate coordinator), those most likely to be taken in addition to the core courses are:
a. EEG biofeedback / neurofeedback.
b. Advanced neurofeedback for specific disorders.
c. Psychophysiological optimal functioning in the sports, business, and educational environments.
d. Quantitative EEG assessment.
e. Genetic bases of behavior.
f. Brain stimulation for behavioral modification.
g. Mentoring in applying psychophysiological techniques.
h. Hormonal and perceptual influences upon behavior.