In this episode, Dr. Patrick Steffen joins Matt to discuss his experience in integrating heart rate variability into his mental health practice and research at BYU. 

Dr. Steffen received his PhD in Clinical Health Psychology from the University of Miami and was a post-doctoral fellow in cardiovascular behavioral medicine at Duke University Medical Center. He is currently a Professor of Psychology at Brigham Young University where he has served as the Director of Clinical Training and as an Alcuin Fellow in the Honors Program. He is a Fellow of the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback and is a past president of that organization. He is board certified in biofeedback and teaches an accredited course that leads to board certification in biofeedback. He serves as Associate Editor for the journal Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback and has served on the editorial boards for the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Journal of Behavioral Medicine, Frontiers in Psychology, and Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. His research interests are in health psychology and behavioral medicine, biofeedback and psychotherapy, and the impact of culture and spirituality on health.

https://psychology.byu.edu/directory/patrick-steffen

Deb Borne joins Matt to discuss how she is integrating HRV into her medical practice and thinking about the wellness of the healthcare workforce. 

Deb obtained her master’s degree in social work at Columbia University and her medical training at Brown University and UCSF. As both a social worker and a physician, she has worked with highly marginalized communities including homeless persons, drug users, psychiatric patients, and incarcerated and recently released individuals. Deb is very interested in how research can inform and assist with community-based clinical work. HIV prevention is one of her personal and professional passions.

https://cfar.ucsf.edu/people/deborah-borne

In this episode, Dr. Anna Pollard joins Matt to discuss her dissertation on craving. We explore the role of HRV biofeedback and mindfulness to help people handle the cravings associated with recovery. We also discuss the biology of addiction and why it makes behavioral change so difficult. Anna Pollard, PhD, BCB is a graduate clinical psychologist and is board certified in biofeedback. She is one of the board members for Optimal HRV. Her research has been on neuropsychology, functional neuroanatomy and HRV biofeedback of substance use disorders. Her mentioned research and collaborations can be found on her ResearchGate: (16) Anna Pollard https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anna-Pollard-5

Dr. Steven Paliakas joins the show to discuss how he is integrating HRV into his chiropractor and acupuncture practice. 

http://www.injurydc.com/

https://www.wheatonrejuvenation.com/what-is-the-powerhouse-protocol/

In this episode, Dr. Scotty Butcher joins Matt to discuss how HRV and HRV biofeedback has informed his professional work and personal journey. 

Dr. Scotty Butcher, PhD, MSc, BSc(PT), CMMT, SSR, Former CSCS, Former ACSM-RCEP

Scotty is co-founder of Amplify Rehab & Performance in Saskatoon where he is the Clinic Director, an Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback Practitioner, and Stress Resilience Coach. In addition to the coaching he does at Amplify, he runs a remote continuing education program, Strength and Conditioning in Rehabilitation for exercise professionals. He is also a professor at the University of Saskatchewan, School of Rehabilitation Science where he teaches and researches strength training, exercise physiology, exercise recovery, mindfulness, and biofeedback. He is an active Mental Health advocate and has a long personal history of anxiety. Through this experience, he has learned first-hand the importance of using the body to impact both physiology and psychology, and has also learned how to build and refine a mental health skills approach to stressors. Last, but certainly not least, Scotty is a self-proclaimed geeky nerd who also likes to lift, a huge Star Wars fan, and periodically competes in the sport of powerlifting, but values his morning walks with a podcast more.

Web: www.amplifyrehab.ca/scotty

Instagram Handles:

TheStrengthJedi

TheStoicTiger

In this episode, Dr. Teresa Leyro from Rutgers University joins Dr. Dave to discuss her work with addiction, the autonomic nervous system, and heart rate variability. 

Teresa Leyro, Ph.D.

Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology

[email protected]

Dr. Teresa Leyro’s is the director of the Affective and Biological Underpinnings of Substance use and Anxiety (ABUSA) lab. Her research takes a multi-method approach toward identifying underlying cognitive-affective and biological risk for co-occurring anxiety and substance use, with focus cigarette smoking/nicotine dependence. Methodologies employed to measure risk include self-report and behavioral indices (e.g., distress tolerance), psychophysiology with an emphasis on the autonomic nervous system (e.g., cardiac impedance and heart rate variability), examination of stress hormones relevant to HPA-axis functioning (e.g., cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone [DHEA]). Elucidating the role of individual variability in these parameters will help clarify both the etiology and maintenance of co-occurring substance use and anxiety pathology, informing empirically driven and targeted intervention. Her translational research program employs stress provocation paradigms in laboratory settings as a means to explore these relations. In addition to her focus on anxiety and cigarette smoking, Dr. Leyro has engaged in research on alcohol, marijuana and illicit substance use disorders, severe mental illness, and HIV/AIDS.

Dr. Teresa Leyro completed her Ph.D. in clinical psychology at the University of Vermont in 2012, where she served as a member of the Vermont Tobacco Evaluation and Review Board. Subsequently, she completed her clinical internship and National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) funded post-doctoral training in substance abuse treatment and services research at the University of California, San Francisco. She previously earned her B.A. in psychology with a minor in human development at Colby College in 2004. She has received numerous grants and awards for research and training from NIDA.

Dr. Fred Shaffer returns to the podcast to share his work on Slow-Paced Contraction to Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Training. Learn more about this exciting research and intervention. Here is information on Dr. Shaffer's free course and register here:  https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUvcO6uqDksG9ypptj44Sx33L-qaEJba53N#/registration 

Heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback is a “Swiss Army Knife” intervention with demonstrated efficacy in clinical disorders like depression, diabetes, and hypertension, and optimal performance. This session begins by explaining HRV and its role in health and performance. It provides an overview of the processes that generate HRV, focusing on Vaschillo’s Two-Closed-Loop model. It summarizes the resonance frequency and 0.1 Hz slow-paced breathing protocols to increase HRV. It details how to deliver slow-paced contraction training and explains where it may be more appropriate than slow-paced breathing. Finally, it explains how HRV biofeedback training can combine slow-paced breathing and contraction to enlarge your clients’ self-regulation “tool kits.”

Learn more about Fred here: http://fshaffer.sites.truman.edu/edu/

In this episode, Dr. Cisco Reyes joins Matt and Dr. Dave to discuss his word at Linfield University. Dr. Reyes has utilized HRV to guide his work with athletes to manage the stress of competition and life! 

In this episode of the Heart Rate Variability Podcast, we are joined by Rohon Dixit, a neuroscientist-turned-entrepreneur and founder of Lief Therapeutics. Rohon shares his journey from academia to launching a digital mental health company that uses biofeedback to help people manage anxiety and stress.

Learn more about Rohan's work at Lief Therapeutics (http://www.getlief.com/)

As they explore the intricacies of HRV, Dr. Moss discusses his groundbreaking work and research at Saybrook University, shedding light on the various factors that influence HRV and its implications for stress management, performance, and emotional regulation. Learn about the cutting-edge tools and techniques used by professionals in the field, and hear Dr. Moss's practical advice for incorporating HRV monitoring into your daily routine. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn from one of the leading experts in the HRV community and elevate your understanding of this vital health metric. Tune in now!