Mentoring FAQs

Who may mentor?

BCIA requires that a mentor be appropriately BCIA-certified and in active clinical practice for a minimum of two years.

• BCB certificants may only mentor candidates for General Biofeedback Certification, unless they are able to demonstrate competency in other areas.
• BCN certificants may only mentor candidates for Neurofeedback Certification, unless they are able to demonstrate competency in other areas.
• BCB-PMD certificants may only mentor candidates for PMDB Certification, unless they are able to demonstrate competency in other areas.

May I use more than one mentor?

Yes. Candidates may wish to use more than one mentor, because they are looking for expertise in a specific area of practice or would like the benefit of varied experience and client approach. It is important to keep good records noting the work accomplished with each.

What if there are no BCIA-Certified professionals in my area to mentor me?

Long distance mentoring is very easily accomplished in today’s electronic world. Candidates may want a particular expertise that they can’t find in their own region.

May I get credit for mentoring hours accomplished before I filed my application for certification?

Of course. Though BCIA strongly recommends that your certification application be on file prior to starting the process, we would honor any work done prior to that date.

How can I find a mentor?

BCIA recommends that you first start with the mentors identified on our Find a Practitioner area. This allows you to search by certification type (BCB, BCN, or BCB-PMD). Remember, any appropriately BCIA-certified person can serve in this capacity; however, it is important to find a good relationship where both the candidate and mentor agree that their work styles, professional background, and client base would be compatible.

What if I want to use a mentor who is not BCIA-certified?

BCIA supports the use of a BCIA-certified mentor; however, we realize that in some cases, you may know of an expert with whom you would like to learn to apply your clinical biofeedback skills. BCIA has a non-certified mentor application process to review the relevant education, experience, and training for any professional who is not currently BCIA-certified.

How much do mentors charge?

The costs of clinical services vary across the country due to specific geography, education, experience of the mentor, and a variety of other factors. As such, the cost of mentoring contact hours will vary as well. You will have to contact each professional to ask what they charge.

2 Hours Face to Face – Must we be in the same room?

No, not necessarily.  There are other ways to simulate face to face.  Let’s consider the intent of this requirement which is to review your hook-ups and basic procedures.  If you used a product like “GoToMeeting” or other product that allows your  mentor to experience a session live, that is perfectly acceptable.

What about Group Mentoring?

Group mentoring is growing in popularity due to its affordability, but please consider what you can personally earn toward the requirement.  Case conference presentations work best as one mentor can present cases to many students and each can earn the actual contact time and also the number of cases presented.  However, consider you as an attendee listening to somebody else discuss a recent patient/client session.  How can you get credit for that?  It is NOT your own personal session and it is NOT your patient/client so you can’t claim anything for that session.  It is a good way to learn and you may enjoy participation, so long as you remember how to view the experience toward completion of your own requirements.