Home

Welcome to FindingThePath.org. This is the website for the ongoing mentoring webinar series with psychotherapist and author Sebern Fisher. These weekly sessions are conversations on addressing trauma in the clinical practice. Join us.

We’ve moved! Click here to learn more and to register.

Given the overwhelming impact of neglect and abuse on the developing brain it can feel daunting to train people with developmental trauma. I am increasingly convinced, however, that those who have suffered these histories cannot thrive without help in lowering arousal and regulating their brains. So it is up to us to find the path. Through cases brought by participants, we will look at assessment, protocols, and integration of neurofeedback with psychotherapy. Conversations could range further into subjects such as the epigenetics of trauma, pattern recognition and repetition compulsion, trauma fields and trauma identity, the disgrace and distraction of the DSM, laterality and the sense of self and other topics as they arise from case discussion.

Book

Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Developmental Trauma

Calming the Fear-Driven Brain

Sebern F. Fisher
W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.
Hardcover, 2014

Working with the circuitry of the brain to restore emotional health and well-being.

Neurofeedback, a type of “brain training” that allows us to see and change the patterns of our brain, has existed for over 40 years, with applications as wide-ranging as the treatment of epilepsy, migraines, and chronic pain to performance enhancement in sports.

Today, leading brain researchers and clinicians, interested in what the brain can tell us about mental health and well being, are also taking notice. Indeed, the brain’s circuitry—its very frequencies and rhythmic oscillations—reveals much about its role in our emotional stability and resilience. Neurofeedback allows clinicians to guide their clients as they learn to transform brain-wave patterns, providing a new window into how we view and treat mental illness.

In this cutting-edge book, experienced clinician Sebern Fisher, keenly demonstrates neurofeedback’s profound ability to help treat one of the most intractable mental health concerns of our time: severe childhood abuse, neglect, or abandonment, otherwise known as developmental trauma.

Continue reading “Book”

About

ABOUT THE WEBINARS

Given the overwhelming impact of neglect and abuse on the developing brain it can feel daunting to train people with developmental trauma. I am increasingly convinced, however, that those who have suffered these histories cannot thrive without help in lowering arousal and regulating their brains. So it is up to us to find the path.

Through cases brought by participants, we will look at assessment, protocols, and integration of neurofeedback with psychotherapy. Conversations could range further into subjects such as the epigenetics of trauma, pattern recognition and repetition compulsion, trauma fields and trauma identity, the disgrace and distraction of the DSM, laterality and the sense of self and other topics as they arise from case discussion.

Sebern Fisher

ABOUT SEBERN

Sebern Fisher has been integrating neurofeedback and psychotherapy into the treatment of those with developmental trauma for the last twenty years. She was the clinical director of a residential treatment facility for severely disturbed adolescents for 17 years. During her tenure she introduced attachment theory and dialectical behavior therapy to the milieu. She is presently in private practice where she provides neurofeedback, psychotherapy and consultation. She trains nationally and internationally. Sebern is the author of Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Developmental Trauma: Calming the Fear-driven Brain (Norton 2014).

Testimonials

95% of my caseload is children ages 5-12 with complex trauma and I consider it a gift to be able to staff cases with Sebern Fisher. Her experience and expertise with this population, as well as her encouragement to try different protocols, has made a measurable difference in the lives of many children on my caseload. In addition, her apparent insatiable quest for the latest neuroscience and research, and her graciousness in sharing this with us, provides us with up to date information to inform the protocols we are trying with clients.

Kelly Vagts, LCSW
Grand County School District

I am writing to express my gratitude for the opportunity to meet with Sebern and other therapists learning to use neurofeedback on behalf of our clients with histories of developmental trauma. I feel so deeply honored and grateful to be able to listen as Sebern helps each participant think through the needs of their client and to think through what we are trying to accomplish with neurofeedback in each instance, how, and how we might change protocols based on the responses of the client. This is such cutting-edge work and holds out hope for relief and fuller lives for our clients. It is truly inspiring!

My experience is that Sebern creates a safe space for sharing what’s happening, our hopes and what may be stalled or confusing about each case. Her interest, curiosity and dedication are so clearly conveyed during each call. I encourage anyone hoping to provide relief and hope for their clients impacted by early attachment trauma to consider this valuable
resource!

Carla D. Hancock, LICSW
Clinical Social Worker
Montpelier, VT

The support offered by Sebern during the Finding the Path Mentoring Series has proved invaluable to our practitioners and our clients. Sebern’s teaching style enables our clinicians to learn more about the effects that complex developmental trauma has on the brain, mind and body, and provides insightful guidance in developing neurofeedback protocols to support clients to regulate their arousal. Since using neurofeedback under Sebern’s guidance, our clients are reporting signifiant reduction in distress and improvement in functioning to levels not achieved using more traditional methods of treatment. I would highly recommend this mentoring series to anyone considering the use of neurofeedback in their clinical practice.

Alikki Russell
Psychologist
Newcastle, Australia

The mentoring series has been a fantastic way to gain compassionate support and direction with some complex cases. Sebern’s wealth of knowledge and experience in understanding the trauma driven brain and using neurofeedback with developmental trauma is invaluable, and in application with my clients has demonstrated significant improvement in symptoms. I would recommend this mentoring series to any clinician working with neurofeedback in developmental trauma.

Renae Yarnold
Psychologist
Newcastle, Australia

I have read Sebern’s book “Neurofeedback in the Treament of Developmental Trauma: Calming the Fear Driven Brain” and reach for it often when working with people who are struggling as a result of early trauma. Much of the work that Sebern has done and continues to do is on the leading edge of treatment so there are no guidelines and few maps. The webinar series was an opportunity to seek Sebern’s guidance in working in this landscape. It was just wonderful to be able to bring clients to this group and have Sebern’s expert questions and advice to clarify issues and some possible ways forward. I learnt a great deal from Sebern and from other group members and am still re-reading my notes and finding new ideas/information.

Ingrid Storm
BrainQuest Clinics Australia
https://brainquestclinics.com/

I am newly qualified in Neurofeedback working for an agency which provides counselling, natural therapies, groupwork and now also Neurofeedback for humanitarian entrants (refugees) who’ve experienced torture and/or trauma. My initial NFB training, here in Australia, wasn’t specifically focussed on this kind of severely traumatised group- so it was really helpful “sit in on” case studies and treatment recommendations much more appropriate for these clients. Sebern Fisher has a focussed, knowledgeable and yet very supportive teaching style- I really felt I was a part of something really cutting edge and important!

Astra Furst
Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania
http://www.mrctas.org.au/phoenix
Glenorchy, TAS