Biofeedback Therapists and Centers/Clinics

The practice of biofeedback is not a profession unto itself; rather, it is a modality of treatment for a variety of medical conditions.  Biofeedback is a treatment technique in which people are trained to improve their health by using signals from their own bodies.  Physical therapists use biofeedback to help stroke victims regain movement in paralyzed muscles.  Psychologists use it to help tense and anxious clients learn to relax.  Specialists in many different fields use biofeedback to help their patients cope with pain.

Certification in biofeedback is available via the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America.  About 1,500 professionals hold the certification today. The BCIA reported to Marketdata that about 70% of practitioners are licensed psychologists, whereas the other 30% include MDs, dentists, nurses, and researchers.  Association personnel estimate that there are three to five times as many nonmembers practicing biofeedback in the field.  Consequently, Marketdata estimates that there are in total about 8,000 practitioners in the United States.

Biofeedback training in educational and business settings is, according to the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB), a tool for developing deep relaxation and stress management skills that are important in the prevention of stress-related disorders. 

The AAPB informed Marketdata that the practice of biofeedback is indeed growing.  The association reports receiving an increasing number of calls from the public requesting information on biofeedback. and the names of practitioners.  Membership in the AAPB stands at over 2,000 currently.

However, Marketdata research found that most HMOs will NOT pay for biofeedback services. 

How It's Used

In clinical settings these and other self-regulation skills gained through biofeedback training may be used for reducing or eliminating symptoms of stress-related and organic disorders, and for regaining muscle function and reducing pain following injury or illness. In the clinic, biofeedback training may be the primary therapeutic modality, or it may be used with other therapeutic interventions such as lifestyle counseling, desensitization training, cognitive restructuring or psychotherapy.

Irritable bowel syndrome, non-cardiac chest pain, asthma, epilepsy and chest pain are included in a list of some problems most commonly assessed using psychophysiological recording techniques and treated using biofeedback based interventions.

Biofeedback treatments aimed at rectifying specific problems such as abnormal patterns of muscle tension in jaw muscles causing tension headaches, lack of blood-flow in the stump causing burning phantom limb pain, etc. can be very successful. Biofeedback to help people control their anxiety and, thus, reduce the overall amount of pain felt, can also be very helpful.

Finding A Provider

Most states do not restrict who can perform biofeedback services. Thus, a person with no clinical training of any kind nor any specialized training in biofeedback may claim to provide biofeedback services.

Many state licensing boards include the practice of biofeedback within the purview of such professions as psychologists, physical therapists, nurses, physicians, social workers, etc. Having such a license does not mean that the holder actually has any training or experience in providing biofeedback.

The AAPB feels very strongly that anyone providing biofeedback based services should meet at least the minimum standards of knowledge, training, and experience required to be certified by the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America (BCIA).  If a provider is not certified by BCIA, you should be especially cautious when entering into a treatment arrangement. It is important that you determine whether the person is licensed or certified to practice if you are looking for clinical intervention. There are other organizations which do certify people in biofeedback but AAPB has not assessed their criteria for certification