Heal Your Trauma using Heart Rate Variability and Biofeedback Training

Co-sponsored by the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB)

This course offers 2 hours of continuing education credits through the American Psychological Association.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is one of the most reliable indexes of autonomic function. It is consistently shown to be decreased among those affected by PTSD and other trauma-related disorders (Schneider and Schwerdtfeger, 2020). HRV biofeedback is a powerful tool for reducing trauma-related symptoms, improving resilience and emotion regulation, as well as improving overall health and performance (Lehrer et al., 2020; Reyes, 2014; Tan et al., 2011). In this webinar, attendees will have the opportunity to delve more deeply into how trauma disrupts autonomic nervous system functioning. We will discuss heart rate variability biofeedback and its role in improving self-regulation and resilience for trauma survivors, as well as ameliorating symptoms of PTSD. Specifically, we will present a practical, step-by-step heart rate variability biofeedback protocol that participants will be able to integrate into their work with trauma survivors.

What You'll Learn

This beginner-friendly, AAPB co-sponsored online training is designed for healthcare professionals, wellness coaches, therapists, or anyone seeking to enhance their well-being and performance.

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

• Discuss ways in which trauma disrupts autonomic nervous system functioning. We will discuss

  heart rate variability biofeedback and its role in improving self-regulation and resilience for

  trauma survivors, as well as ameliorating symptoms of PTSD.

  
  

• Discuss heart rate variability biofeedback and its role in improving self-regulation and resilience

  or trauma survivors, as well as ameliorating symptoms of PTSD.

  
  

• Utilize a practical, step-by-step heart rate variability biofeedback protocol that participants will

  be able to integrate into their work with trauma survivors.

Meet Your Expert Presenters

Inna Khazan, PsyD, BCB

Inna is the Chief Science Officer with Optimal HRV and a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in biofeedback and mindfulness-based approaches to optimizing health and performance. As a faculty member at Harvard Medical School, she teaches and supervises trainees. With over 20 years of clinical experience, Inna helps individuals overcome various personal and professional challenges. Recognized as a pioneer in mindfulness-based biofeedback, Inna is a popular speaker at national and international conferences on biofeedback and mindfulness.

Matt Bennett, MBA, MA

Matt Bennett is a co-founder of Optimal HRV. His passion for HRV and human performance is captured in his books, including Heart Rate Variability: The Future of Trauma-Informed Care, The Heart(beat) of Business, and his popular Heart Rate Variability Podcast. Matt combines his master’s degrees in psychology and business administration with his practical experience as a therapist and leader to develop research-based solutions and training to improve the health of individuals, staff, organizations, and systems.

Why Optimize Your Recovery with HRV?

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the best in the field and deepen your understanding of heart rate variability. This workshop offers valuable insights that can enhance your knowledge and practice. Attendees will gain actionable knowledge to improve personal health and support others in achieving better health outcomes. Join us for a fresh perspective on trauma, health, and performance.

Date: September 18th, 2025

Time:

• 1 pm to 3 pm Eastern

• 12 pm to 2 pm Central

• 11 am to 1 pm Mountain

• 10 am to 12 pm Pacific

Format: Live virtual session (Recording available for those unable to attend live).

Flexible Pricing Options

• $100 – Registration with Continuing Education Credit (must attend the live session to qualify for CE credits; CE credits are unavailable for watching the recording).

• $75 – Registration without CE credit (Live or Recorded).

• $50 – Student Registration (Live or Recorded).

  
  

Note for registration:

• If you require Continuing Education Credits, please provide your degree, state, and license number during registration.

• Can't make it live? No problem! Indicate your preference for the recording during registration to ensure access to the workshop materials.

Register today to unlock the full potential of HRV for better health outcomes!

AAPB and Continuing Education Details

Program Information

Level: INTRODUCTORY

Content is designed for psychologists who may have little to no background in a specialized skill or content area. Through this programming, the learner can become acquainted with the theoretical underpinnings, principles, methods, and perspectives of a content area. An introductory-level program also may serve as the foundation for subsequent intermediate and advanced learning, or it may simply focus on breadth, enrichment, or general knowledge. For psychologists using the modality of biofeedback and interested in efficacy, science, and the latest clinical applications, this conference:

1. Presents research relevant to psychological practice, education, and science.

2. Helps psychologists keep up with the most current scientific evidence regarding assessment, intervention, and education.

3. Allows psychologists to increase competencies to improve services to patients.

Note: This conference is in no way a substitute for the basic academic education and training needed for entry into the field of psychology.

Target Audience: Whether you are a healthcare professional, a wellness coach, or simply someone interested in the science of the human body, this workshop offers valuable insights that can enhance your knowledge and practice. Attendees will gain actionable knowledge that can be applied to improve personal health and support others in achieving better health outcomes.

Continuing Education Credits

CE Credits: 2 CE credits for the remainder of the series total live participation.

• Important Notice: Those who attend this conference in full and complete the appropriate sign-in and evaluation forms will receive CE credits. Those arriving more than 15 minutes after the start time or leaving before a given conference activity is completed will not receive CE credit.

• Note: We cannot offer CE Credits for those purchasing the recording.

Psychologists: The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback maintains responsibility for the program and its content.

Psychologists (APA) Coverage & Reciprocity:

The following state boards accept courses from APA providers for:

• Counselors: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, ME, MO, NC, ND, NH, NE, NJ, NM, NV, OK*, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI, WY. MI has no CE requirements.

• MFTs: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IN, KS, MD, ME, MO, NE, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OK*, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY. MA / MFTs: Participants can self-submit courses not approved by the MAMFT board for review.

• Addictions Professionals: AK, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IN, KS, LA, MD, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NY (outstate held), OK*, OR, SC, UT, WA, WI, WY.

• Social Workers: AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, ME, MN, MO, NE, NH, NM, OR, PA, VT, WI, WY.

*OK accepts APA credit for live, in-person activities. For all ethics and/or online courses, an application is required.

Important Disclosures & Policies

Materials & Scope of Practice: Materials included in this course may cover interventions and modalities beyond the authorized practice of some mental health professionals. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing your scope of practice, including activities defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice, in accordance with and in compliance with your profession’s standards.

Risks/Utility: All interventions discussed in this webinar are empirically supported (see references below). Minimal risks, such as feelings of lightheadedness while breathing, exist for HRV-based interventions and will be addressed during the webinar.

Financial Disclosures: There is known commercial support for this program. Our presenters have financial interests to disclose. Dr. Khazan (Chief Science Officer) and Mr. Bennett (Co-founder of Optimal HRV)are affiliated with Optimal HRV. Optimal HRV produces in-app biofeedback training modules. The presenters may potentially benefit financially from the research findings on in-app biofeedback training modules presented herein. This webinar will be presented free of commercial bias.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) STATEMENT: ADA accommodations will be made in accordance with the law. If you require ADA accommodation, please indicate your needs at the time of registration. We cannot ensure the availability of appropriate accommodations without prior notification.

GRIEVANCE POLICY: The Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformance with the American Psychological Association's Ethical Principles of Psychologists. AAPB will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content, and in the treatment of program participants. The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of the Education Chair in consultation with relevant committee members and chairpersons.

• When a participant files a grievance expecting action, the following steps are taken: If the grievance concerns a speaker, content, or presentation style, the comments will be put in writing and passed to the speaker, assuring confidentiality.

• If the grievance concerns a workshop offering, its content, level, or facilities, the convention chair will mediate and be the final arbitrator. Solutions may include moving the participant to another workshop, providing credit for a future workshop, or a partial/full refund.

• If the grievance concerns an AAPB CE program, the CE Chair will attempt to arbitrate.

Contact for Grievances and ADA:

• Name: Leslie Shivers, AAPB Executive Director

• Email: info@aapb.org

• Telephone: 800-477-8892 or +1 303-422-8436

• Address: PO Box 461797, Aurora, CO 80046-1797

Refund/Cancellation Policy

Please contact OptimalHRV at Support@OptimalHRV.com for cancellation. Cancellations received by OptimalHRV at least 2 weeks prior to the event will be refunded minus a $10 processing fee. Cancellations within 2 weeks prior to the event will not be refunded but can be credited for future events. Fees cannot be refunded for registrations canceled after the presentation begins.

References

• Lehrer, P., Kaur, K., Sharma, A., Shah, K., Huseby, R., Bhavsar, J., & Zhang, Y. (2020). Heart rate

  variability biofeedback improves emotional and physical health and performance: A systematic review and

  meta analysis. Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback, 45, 109-129.

  
  

• Shaffer, F., & Ginsberg, J. P. (2017). An overview of heart rate variability metrics and norms. Frontiers in

  public health, 5, 258.

  
  

• Lehrer, P. M., & Gevirtz, R. (2014). Heart rate variability biofeedback: how and why does it

  work?. Frontiers in psychology, 756.

  
  

• Shaffer, F., & Meehan, Z. M. (2020). A practical guide to resonance frequency assessment for heart rate

  variability biofeedback. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14, 570400.

  
  

• Khazan, I. (2019). Biofeedback and mindfulness in everyday life: Practical solutions for improving your

  health and performance. WW Norton & Company.