The Western Association for Biofeedback and Neuroscience was founded in 1974 and is the oldest and largest state biofeedback society. It is a multi-professional association of clinicians, researchers and educators who share an interest in the use of biofeedback techniques in pursuing health and human potential. The society is concerned with competency and the quest for knowledge regarding treatment procedures which maximize physiological self-regulation. It is an open forum for the exchange of ideas, methods, clinical experience, and results of biofeedback and applied psychophysiology and related disciplines. Members are committed to maintaining high standards of professionalism and to educating both the general public and other health care professionals about biofeedback.
The Society was the first biofeedback organization to offer professional certification.
The emphasis of the Society is on clinical application and scientific research and provides local networking, educational meetings and referral services. Specifically the main objectives are to:
- Advance biofeedback and applied psychophysiology in educational, scientific, clinical and personal growth areas of development
- Educate professionals and the public
- Develop and maintain practice standards and ethics
- Provide criteria concerning who may apply biofeedback and under what circumstances
- Provide peer review
- Provide standards for the evaluation and certification of individuals engaged in the application of biofeedback.