Michael McFarland, BCN-T

Operations Manager & Director of Neurofeedback Services at the
Arizona Center for Neurofeedback

Meet Michael McFarland

Michael serves as the Operations Manager and Director of Neurofeedback Services at the Arizona Center for Neurofeedback, where he plays a central role in ensuring every client receives thoughtful, coordinated, and high-quality care from their very first interaction with the Center. Working in close collaboration with the Clinical Director, Michael helps oversee the full continuum of care—from initial assessments through program completion—ensuring each client’s experience consistently exceeds expectations.

In an era where healthcare can often feel impersonal or fragmented, Michael is deeply committed to creating an environment in which clients feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported. His leadership and attention to detail help ensure continuity of care, operational excellence, and a client experience that reflects the Center’s commitment to personalized, results-driven Neurofeedback services.

Certifications & Education

Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA)

Board Certified Neurofeedback Technician (BCN-T)

BCIA Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

Biofeedback Certificate of Completion (in process)

Advanced training in Neurofeedback systems, QEEG-informed care, clinical best practices and brain-based performance optimization

Ongoing continuing education in Neurofeedback (NFB) and Biofeedback (BFB)

Bimonthly mentoring/consultation with QEEG expert in analysis, interpretation and Neurofeedback protocol development

Michael’s Clinical Focus at Arizona Center for Neurofeedback

As Operations Manager, Michael is responsible for ensuring that every aspect of the client journey—from initial contact through program completion—is seamless, ethical, and outcomes-focused. Michael’s primary focus is on the precise delivery of Neurofeedback services, supporting highly individualized brain training plans, and fostering collaborative relationships with clients.

He also emphasizes the use of progressive tracking tools to monitor progress, guide clinical adjustments, and ensure each client’s program remains responsive, data-driven, and effective.

Why Michael Chose This Work

Michael was drawn to Neurofeedback after seeing the profound impact this training had on elite military personnel—not only in optimizing performance and reducing challenging symptoms, but also in improving overall quality of life and family functioning. This exposure shaped his belief that Neurofeedback and Biofeedback, tools that help individuals learn how to master their physiology, are often the missing ingredients in meaningful and lasting change.

Michael is passionate about helping people move beyond surface-level symptom management to gain a deeper understanding of how their brain functions and how it can learn to regulate itself more effectively. He values Neurofeedback for its ability to create sustainable improvements across mental, physiological, and emotional domains.

The greatest reward in his work comes from witnessing clients regain clarity, confidence, and balance—seeing the relief in their expressions and hearing them describe the life-changing progress they’ve achieved through Neurofeedback, Biofeedback, and Peak Performance training.

Michael’s Approach

Michael brings a calm, steady, and supportive presence to every client interaction. He believes meaningful progress occurs when individuals feel safe, well-informed, and genuinely heard throughout their care.

His approach emphasizes education, consistency, and meeting each client where they are—both neurologically and personally.

Michael also encourages active participation, guiding clients to stay committed to their goals and engaged in both their training sessions and at-home practices to support lasting, measurable results.

Conditions Commonly Treated

(All care is guided by clinical oversight and individualized assessment.)

ADHD and attention challenges

Anxiety and chronic stress

Depression

Autism Spectrum Disorders

Sleep disturbances and insomnia

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) & post concussive symptoms

Problems with mood regulation

Peak performance and cognitive optimization

Nervous system dysregulation related to trauma or prolonged stress

Why Michael Chose the Arizona Center for Neurofeedback

Michael chose to work at the Arizona Center for Neurofeedback because the Center’s values strongly align with his own commitment to exceptional client care, ethical practice, and meaningful, measurable outcomes. He is deeply aligned with the Center’s integrity-driven, data-informed, and genuinely human approach—one that prioritizes individualized care over one-size-fits-all solutions and places the client experience at the center of every decision.

Working alongside Dr. Lorene Petta, Michael found a mission and leadership philosophy that reflect his belief in the brain’s remarkable capacity for change and its ability to learn self-regulation naturally. He also shares the Center’s vision of empowering individuals to achieve lasting improvements without reliance on medications with unwanted side effects or approaches that fail to address the root causes of dysfunction.

Fun Fact

Before entering the Neurofeedback field, Michael spent over a decade in hotel and restaurant management. This background instilled in him a deep appreciation for exceptional customer care, attention to detail, and creating consistently positive experiences—values he now brings to every aspect of client service at the Arizona Center for Neurofeedback.

Personal Interest

Outside the Center, Michael enjoys pursuits that reflect both his competitive drive and his appreciation for balance and play. He thrives on the challenge and camaraderie found in pickleball, golf, cycling, and weightlifting—activities that allow him to stay focused, disciplined, and continually improving.

At the same time, Michael embraces his playful side. His favorite animated Christmas classic is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and he enjoys collecting figurines and scenes from the show as a reminder to stay connected to his inner child. This blend of intensity and lightheartedness mirrors the balanced approach Michael brings to both his personal life and his work with clients.