The Zengar Institute Team

Susan Cheshire Dermit Brown, Ph.D.
Founder, Director, Senior Vice-President
Dr. Brown brings to the development of NeurOptimal® a varied path of careers and achievements in a variety of medical, psychological and academic environments. In brief, her accomplishments include six degrees (including two Masters degrees and a Ph.D.), numerous academic prizes and awards for academic excellence, publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals, a previous full-time academic position as Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at S.U.N.Y Stony Brook Division of Behavioral Medicine and (now inactive) licensure both as a Clinical Psychologist and as a Nurse. Despite all of this, Dr. Brown's first love has always been her direct work with her clients. Dr. Brown's role in the conceptualization, co-development and evolution of NeurOptimal® has been strongly tied to her belief that personal change does not have to be effortful to be effective and permanent, and much of her work has been to ensure that NeurOptimal® is not only safe and effective but easy to use. Dr. Brown consults from her home city of Victoria B.C., Canada.

Valdeane W. Brown, Ph.D.
Founder, Director, President
Dr. Valdeane W. Brown is an internationally recognized "trainer of trainers", who has taught and consulted widely on personal and organizational transformation. With a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and a background in math, physics, computer programming, philosophy, yoga, meditation and martial arts, Dr. Brown brings a presence and precision to his work. This is further informed by a profound sense of compassion, a facility with energy dynamics and a deep commitment to revealing the elegant simplicity inherent in learning and transformation. Developer of the Five Phase Model (add link) and co-creator with his wife Sue of the Period 3 Approach to Clinical Neurofeedback, Dr. Brown has realized his vision of a truly comprehensive training system in NeurOptimal®. His vision in bringing NeurOptimal® to the world is to make personal transformation effortless and available to all.

Samantha Diavatis
Director, Chief Operations Officer
It is true to say that Samantha oversees and integrates most of everything that goes on at Zengar. She manages the day to day activities of the entire administrative team, serves as a key software tester, decides when and how Zengar's products will be launched. She is frequently the client’s first contact with Zengar, guiding them unerringly through their choice of products, licensing and training. She ensures NeurOptimal is accessible and understandable-- to the degree NeurOptimal can be understood-- to all those who wish to explore, regardless of their background or experience. Samantha came to Zengar with a degree in Law as well as considerable experience in the organization and co-ordination of people and resources. She is bilingual (English and French) and is based in Montreal.

Jennifer Martin-Cressaty
Coordinator of Customer Care
Jenny comes to Zengar Institute Inc. from over a decade of experience in Customer Care as well as Administration and Purchasing - from close-knit environments to larger scale call centers and National organizations. Jenny makes sure we follow the guidelines that govern our global activities and is the person you will interact with once you have made your decision to place your order. From behind the scenes Administrative structure through Order Processing and Customer Care, she brings an efficient, organized and personalized touch to her position. She is fluently bilingual (English and French) and based in Montreal.

Lydie Lavigne
Representative and Events Coordinator
Lydie comes to Zengar with considerable expertise in managing the complex needs of international teams. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from the University of Carleton in Ottawa, she has worked with international casting agencies, artists and artist associations, festivals and sports federations world-wide. She joined Zengar from Cirque du Soleil, where she most recently served as casting co-ordinator liason with their talent scouts, audition teams and artists for the casting of Cirque's on-going shows across the continents. Lydie co-ordinates the activities of our Representatives world-wide, as well as various Zengar events and endeavors. Lydie is fluently bilingual (English and French) and is based in Montreal.

Alex Theoret
Director, Production Manager
Alex is responsible for all aspects of Production for Zengar. He assists Dr. Val Brown in managing the code and its on-going development, supervises the configuration process of every system that Zengar sends out, and oversees all technical Research and Development. Add to this the more practical tasks of recording and video production, you can see how far-reaching his role is. If technology is involved, Alex is likely to be found somewhere at the center.
Alex is a grammy nominated musician, record producer and founder-owner of music production company Threatened Productions in Manhattan.

Mark Andrews
Chief Information Officer and Technical Support Specialist
Mark is responsible for quality delivery of all Zengar Institute’s technical support. This not only includes responsibility for the provision of Zengar's world-wide MouseCall service, but includes all the "behind the scenes" operation and support of the servers and many services that Zengar itself requires. As CIO, he responds to the needs of the Directors and co-ordinates with administrative personnel on an array of technical, web-related and licensing related matters.
Mark earned his B.Sc. degree in Biology from Concordia University in Montreal with post-graduate certificates in software development, internet programming and Cisco networking from Concordia and McGill Universities. Mark has over 20 years of computer systems and network experience as well as 12 years of experience in business information technologies and management. Mark is based in Montreal, Canada.

Stirling Lewis
Technical Support Specialist
Stirling acts as the primary Technical Support Specialist at Zengar Institute Inc.. He is responsible for handling the majority of online MouseCall support and software licensing. Stirling assists the CIO in all technical support related matters and contributes to the design and creation of Zengar promotional material.
Stirling studied Fine Arts, Illustration and Graphic Design at Dawson College in Montreal where he earned a BA degree in Illustration and Design. He has accumulated over 15 years of Illustration, Graphic Design and professional grade photography experience and 20 years of computer systems experience. Stirling is based in Montreal, Canada and can be contacted online via MouseCall.

Zengar Representatives

AUSTRALIA

John Thompson
Since my early twenties I have been committed to the reduction of suffering through natural healing and transformation. After exploring many avenues, both Eastern and Western, I undertook a double major in philosophy and psychology. I discovered Nonlinear Dynamics via the university library and recognized a description of embedded natural transformative process. This had a profound influence on my thinking, initiating an integration of previous life experience and learning. I developed these concepts within a psychological and spiritual context and applied them both in my life and Psychology practice. The emerging success revealed the the critical influence of feedback in the simplicity of the natural healing and transformational process. This in turn led me to NeurOptimal, the only neurofeedback system I could find that utilizes Nonlinear Dynamics in a manner consistent with the underlying principles. Introducing NeurOptimal into my practice further demonstrated this profound simplicity, and I observed remarkable transformations in many of my clients' lives. Impressed, I traveled to Canada to undertake additional training and, witnessing the integrity of the NeurOptimal project, offered to support the increased availability of NeurOptimal. My commitment is to represent Zengar Institute Inc. in Australia by supplying information, NeurOptimal systems, training people for ‘Technical Certification’, and to support those who wish to utilize NeurOptimal in their lives. If you feel that I can assist you please contact me via the details below.

John Thompson
Neurotribe  Natural Health Therapy Centre 
29 William St., Midland 6056, Western Australia
tel. 089 250 8333
john.thompson@neuroptimal.com

--

FRANCE AND BELGIUM (FRENCH SPEAKING)

Corinne Fournier and Pierre Bohn
Nous nous sommes connus chez Dassault où notre passion pour la recherche en sciences cognitives, et d’autres domaines encore, nous a réunis.  Nous avons découvert le neurofeedback en 2000 avec le livre de Jim Robbins. Depuis 2005 nous consacrons une grande partie de notre vie à NeurOptimal.

[Corinne] J’ai dirigé pendant 20 ans une équipe de recherche dans le domaine des sciences cognitives. Mon équipe était composée entre autres d’un philosophe spécialiste de phénoménologie, d’un roboticien, d’un biologiste systémique, d’un linguiste, d’un spécialiste de systèmes multi-agents et de nombreux thésards et étudiants.

Je suis praticienne depuis début 2005. J’aime particulièrement faire des séances aux enfants handicapés. Je suis en relation avec plusieurs associations qui ont décidé de soutenir financièrement le neurofeedback ou de proposer eux-mêmes des séances aux familles.
Depuis fin 2007 je suis représentante pour la France. J’aime beaucoup former de nouveaux praticiens et des parents. Le fait qu’ils obtiennent à leur tour des résultats extraordinaires est et un grand bonheur pour moi.

[Pierre] J’ai été directeur de la recherche pendant plus de 40 ans chez Dassault. Il s’agissait bien sûr de concevoir et fabriquer des avions. Mais j’ai toujours été intéressé par la recherche scientifique et eu la conviction qu’il fallait investir dans des domaines tels que les neurosciences, la psychologie ou la linguistique. Je suis maintenant retraité.
Depuis que Corinne a décidé de devenir praticienne, j’ai voulu comprendre comment fonctionne notre cerveau et pourquoi NeurOptimal est une méthode aussi efficace. Constatant que même les livres les plus intéressants ne traitent que partiellement de la question, j’ai entrepris de sélectionner les travaux les plus pertinents parmi les publications scientifiques récentes pour en faire une synthèse cohérente, la plus complète possible, qui permette d’expliquer les mécanismes de base du cerveau et la façon dont le principe de feedback de NeurOptimal aide le cerveau à se réorganiser pour mieux se réguler et mieux fonctionner.

Je pense maintenant avoir atteint mon objectif. Le résultat de mon travail est présenté dans le Power User Course fait aux Pays-Bas et en France et fait également l’objet d’un livre que nous écrivons.

Langues parlées : Français, Anglais. Pays représentés : France, Belgique francophone, Luxembourg, Suisse romane, Tunisie, Espagne, Irlande.

Corinne Fournier and Pierre Bohn
11 rue du Docteur Paul Brousse,  75017, PARIS
00 33 (0)1 46 27 88 15 
00 33 (0)2 97 73 05 19
corinne.fournier@neuroptimal.com

Corinne Fournier and Pierre Bohn
We met at Dassault where our passion for research in cognitive science and other domains brought us together.  We discovered neurofeedback in 2000 with Jim Robbins’ book.  Since 2005 we dedicate a great part of our life to NeurOptimal.

[Corinne] During 20 years I carried out research in the field of cognitive science and led a team composed of a phenomenologist, a robotician, a systemic biologist, a linguist, a multi-agent specialist and many students.

I have been a trainer with NeurOptimal since 2005. I particularly like to train disabled children. I work with several associations who have decided to give a financial support to families or to offer training themselves.

I am a Representative for France since December 2007. I love to teach NeurOptimal™ to new trainers and parents. The extraordinary results that they in turn get brings a lot of happiness to me.

[Pierre] I have been director of research for over 40 years Dassault. Of course we had to design and build aircraft. But I have always been interested in scientific research and was convinced we had to invest in domains such as neuroscience, psychology or linguistics. I am now retired.

Since Corinne decided to become a trainer, I have wanted to understand how our brain works and why NeurOptimal is so efficient. Noticing that even the most interesting books deal only partially with the matter I have set myself to select the most relevant works among recent scientific publications to build a consistent and complete synthesis that allows to explain the basic mechanisms of the brain and how the feedback principle in NeurOptimal helps the brain to reorganize to better self-regulate and function.

I now think I have reached my target. The result of my work is presented during the Power User Course given in the Netherlands and in France and is also presented in a book we are currently writing.

Spoken languages: French, English. Countries served: France, French-speaking Belgium, Luxembourg, French-speaking Switzerland, Tunisia, Spain, Ireland.

Corinne Fournier and Pierre Bohn
11 rue du Docteur Paul Brousse,  75017, PARIS 
00 33 (0)1 46 27 88 15 
00 33 (0)2 97 73 05 19
corinne.fournier@neuroptimal.com

--

FRANCE, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

Daniel Wagner
In 2005, I was looking for new methods to reduce my patients’ suffering and to help them in their process of personal transformation. It was while following a class at Stanford University that I first heard a detailed description of NeurOptimal’s Neurofeedback. Back in Madrid (where I had been living for seven years), I had to face an accident followed by a nosocomial disease. Bedridden for a year, I used this as an opportunity to advance my research on Neurofeedback. I was encouraged to know that Dr. Susan Cheshire Brown and Valdeane Brown had created an amazing (and genius) system that corresponds to my convictions and experience of human beings. In 2007 I opened a new practice in Paris and bought my first NeurOptimal equipment. My passion has since led me to buy two others. My enthusiasm even brought me to offer one to my daughter, who founded her own healthcare and coaching company in California. She herself has just bought a second equipment. Impressed by the first results obtained, I tested NeurOptimal on everyone, young and old, facing different problems. What was obtained is surprising and lasting.

This is why I decided to dedicate myself to diffusing and teaching about NeurOptimal, helping all those who want to know more about it. I founded a small company, NeurOptimum (a name chosen before knowing that of NeurOptimal) to assist me in various areas (computer scientist, sophrologist, coach). I followed all the trainings and seminars given by NeurOptimal and have read everything that has been published on the practitioners’ forums. I believe in collective intelligence, that everyone has his place and that there is much to do together for NeurOptimal, because NeurOptimal is useful for humanity. My contact information is at your disposal to exchange, talk, practice. I make myself available internationally for conferences and training. You may contact me in English, French and Spanish.

Daniel Wagner
En 2005, je cherchais de nouvelles méthodes pour réduire la souffrance de mes patients et les aider dans leur processus de transformation. C’est en suivant un cours à l’Université de Standford en Californie que j’entendis parler, pour la première fois de façon détaillée, du Neurofeedback de NeurOptimal. Mais de retour à Madrid (où je vivais depuis 7 ans) je dus faire face à un accident puis à une maladie nosocomiale. Cloué au lit pendant près d’un an j’en profitais pour pousser à fond mes recherches sur le Neurofeedback. Ce qui me conforta dans mon opinion que les Dr. Susan Cheshire Brown et Valdeane Brown avaient créé un système absolument génial, correspondant exactement à mes convictions et à mon expérience de l’être humain. En 2007 je redémarrai un nouveau cabinet à Paris et j’achetai mon premier équipement de NeurOptimal. Ma passion m’a conduit depuis à en acheter deux autres. Mon enthousiasme m’a même poussé à en offrir un à ma fille – qui après de longues études en France a fondé sa propre compagnie de soins et coaching en Californie. Elle-même, à son tour, vient d’acheter un deuxième équipement, etc. Impressionné par les premiers résultats obtenus, j’ai testé NeurOptimal sur tout le monde : petits, jeunes, moins jeunes, personnes âgées, et sur des populations ayant toutes sortes de difficultés. Ce qui a été obtenu concrètement est étonnant, et est durable.

C’est pourquoi j’ai décidé de m’investir totalement dans la diffusion et l’enseignement de NeurOptimal. Aidant tous ceux qui veulent en savoir plus, qui veulent échanger et pratiquer sur le sujet. J’ai formé une petite compagnie, NeurOptimum (nom choisi avant même de connaître celui de NeurOptimal) un véritable « team » autour de moi, composé de diverses compétences (informaticien, sophrologue, coach, ) au service de NeurOptimal ». J’ai suivi toutes les formations et séminaires dispensés par NeurOptimal, j’ai lu tout ce qui a été publié sur les forums. Je crois à l’intelligence collective, que chacun a sa place et qu’il y a beaucoup à faire ensemble pour NeurOptimal, car NeurOptmal est utile à l’humanité!

Mes coordonnées sont à votre disposition pour échanger, parler, pratiquer. Je me déplace partout pour des conférences ou des formations. Contactez-moi en français, en Anglais, en Espagnol. Agissons !! Faisons bouger nos vies !  A bientôt!

Daniel Wagner Neuroptimum 
24, rue Morère, 75014, PARIS, France 
+ (33) (0)172 347 529
+ (33) (0) 627 592 175
daniel.wagner@neuroptimal.com

--

SPAIN & LATIN AMERICA

Ana Castillo
My encounter with NeurOptimal is a wonderful adventure that has changed my life and my family's. Two years ago, my husband who is diagnosed with Parkinson received two NeurOptimal® sessions and the results were fantastic.  I realized I should share this amazing tool and I created the Fundacion Ana Castillo for the Spreading of Neurofeedback in Spain, recognized by the Ministry of Health and of which I am President.

The non-profit objectives of the foundation are to reduce human suffering through the application of NeurOptimal sessions to people who are economically needy  It's a very gratifying and enriching experience that corresponds to my desire to assist those who suffer. My previous volunteering allowed me to approach the underprivileged groups, such as severely ill, children and elder , as well as foreign women imprisoned in Madrid.

I am totally convinced that it is an obligation to share and spread the scientific and technological advances of NeurOptimal® to improve the lives of those suffering.My commitment is to represent Zengar Institute Inc. in Spain supplying information, NeurOptimal® systems and training people for “Basic Certification Course” - I speak Spanish, French, English and Arabic.

Mi encuentro con NeurOptimal® es una aventura maravillosa que ha cambiado mi vida y la de mi familia.Hace dos años, mi marido diagnosticado de Parkinson recibió 2 sesiones de NeurOptimal® cuyos resultados fueron realmente fantásticos.A raíz de ello comprendi que debía compartir esta increíble herramienta y he creado la Fundacion Ana Castillo para la Divulgación del Neurofeedback en España, reconocida por el Ministerio de Sanidad Español y de la que soy Presidenta.Los fines no lucrativos de la fundación consisten en reducir el sufrimiento humano a través de la aplicación de sesiones de NeurOptimal® a los colectivos mas necesitados económicamente.Es una labor de total dedicación muy gratificante que corresponde a mi deseo de ayudar a los que sufren. Mis anteriores voluntarios me permitieron acercame a los colectivos desfavorecidos como enfermos, mujeres extranjeras encarceladas en Madrid, niños y personas mayores. Estoy totalmente convencida que es una obligación compartir y divulgar los avances tecnológicos y científicos que reúne NeurOptimal® para el bien de los sufren.Soy Representante para España de Zengar Institute Inc. Conceptores de NeurOptimal® asi como Instructor Oficial del Basic Certification Course”

Fundacion Ana Castillo
Calle Sorolla, 47 – 1º A - 28222 – Majadahonda – Madrid
Tel. 629 22 46 36
ana.castillo@neuroptimal.com

--

SWITZERLAND

Verena Oberholzer, Med. Dent ., Psychologist
As a former dentist I promoted in medicine, psychology, medical hypnosis (SMSH) behavior therapy, neurological EEG diagnostics, Biofeedback and EEG- Biofeedback. In 1997 I brought Neurofeedback from Dr. Valdeane Brown from the USA to Switzerland and since then I work in my practice with Neurofeedback, psychological consultations and coaching. Together with Eva Otzen I lead the Institut für Neurofeedback und Biofeedback AG. I organize and conduct Biofeedback and Neurofeedback courses for beginners and advanced. I am president of the Neurofeedback Organization Switzerland NOS.

Fuederholzstrasse 11  CH-8704, Herrliberg,  Switzerland 
tel +41 044 921 19 80 
fax +41 044 921 19 07
verena.oberholzer@neuroptimal.com