About Us in Scottsdale, Arizona

Dr Petta Background and Experience

Dr. Petta has been helping individuals, couples and families achieve their mental health and performance goals for 30 years.

Background

Dr. Petta has been helping individuals, couples and families achieve their mental health and performance goals for 30 years. She has seen first hand how Neurofeedback and Biofeedback change peoples’ lives. Before she discovered this powerful technology, practicing psychotherapy alone produced limited results.

Then after seeing her clients experience life changing improvements in their functioning, she knew she could never go back to the way she practiced previously. She became committed to starting her own business, and changing the way mental health is delivered. Her approach and philosophy are anchored in three key areas: Teach, Empower and Achieve Results! 

Dr. Petta started her business in 2019 as BrainTrain4You LLC. Dr. Petta delivered all of the services: therapy, performance coaching and Neurofeedback/Biofeedback. As would be expected, her reach was limited to a handful of clients. She knew that in order to be able to help more people, the company had to grow.

In 2021, she hired Michael McFarland to manage the clinic and assume operational oversight for the Neurofeedback program. Then in 2023, the company rebranded as the Arizona Center for Neurofeedback, and hired a marketing team to help us grow our online and outreach marketing presence.

This strategic plan has set the company up for its’ next planned expansion in 2024, with the anticipated addition of another practitioner and administrative staff to help reach and serve even more individuals in need.  

Education

Dr. Petta completed her doctoral education and training in 1992 with a Psy.D. degree (Doctor of Psychology), specializing in clinical psychology and child and adolescent emotional and behavioral disorders. Over the next 15 years, she primarily worked in outpatient settings and correctional facilities with the seriously mentally ill and juvenile offenders.

In 2007, she completed a re-specialization program in sport and exercise psychology and began working as a sport psychologist with athletes and the military. Over the next decade, she worked with the Army and Air Force supporting their Special Forces and Special Tactics units with peak performance training. With her clinical background, she also had the opportunity to work with injured service members experiencing PTSD, TBI and other career-ending psychological disorders.

During this time, Dr. Petta participated in several military-based research programs, including with the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the United States Military Academy at West Point. She published two peer-reviewed articles describing how the work she was doing was helping military personnel.

It was during this time she was introduced to the powerful impact that Neurofeedback and Biofeedback have in helping the brain and body heal from trauma, as well as in helping individuals optimize performance.

In 2013, she pursued advanced study and certifications in her third area of specialization, Biofeedback and Neurofeedback. 

Becoming a Psychologist

My lifelong passion to be the best version of myself, combined with my fascination for understanding the workings of the mind and body, led me into the field of psychology.

From there, I followed the many interests and opportunities that eventually allowed me to do what I most love: running a business dedicated to helping others overcome personal barriers and challenges to being the best version of themselves. 

Have you specialized in any particular area of psychology? What are your specialties?

My areas of specialty include: clinical and health psychology; sport and performance enhancement; psychophysiology (i.e., Biofeedback & Neurofeedback); and child, adolescent & young adult age groups. 

Professional Experience

Working in juvenile corrections for over a decade was an early highlight in my career. It gave me the opportunity to take on a significant challenge, helping children and adolescents who were facing their last chance at remediation before moving into the adult corrections system. Another defining highlight of my career was working with the military for over a decade.

It was truly an amazing opportunity getting to work with elite special mission units at renown military installations throughout the continental U.S. and Alaska. I gained a wealth of experience and education that have been invaluable in my ability to help people with many conditions and needs.

I am also very proud of the discipline and dedication it took, returning to school in 2007 and again in 2012, to complete two master’s equivalent programs and board certifications in sport psychology and psychophysiology (i.e., Biofeedback, Neurofeedback & QEEG). 

Approach and Specializations

My primary therapeutic approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. I incorporate aspects of Motivational Interviewing with individuals who are having challenges in their commitment to change.

I also use Gestalt Therapy methods to help clients, especially those with trauma, integrate fractured parts of themselves.

I believe in a holistic ‘mind/body/spirit’ approach, helping individuals build on their strengths, becoming the best version of who they want to be.

Do you have specific areas of expertise or specializations? Clinical, sport/performance and psychophysiology (i.e., Biofeedback, Neurofeedback & QEEG). 

Philosophy and Values

I believe in the importance of helping individuals learn self-regulation by becoming more internally self-aware. Biofeedback and Neurofeedback are particularly helpful in this regard because they teach people how to control their own physiology which ultimately makes them less dependent on health care providers and potentially harmful pharmaceutical medications.

I also believe in incorporating a multi-disciplinary team approach in working with clients who present with multiple physical and psychological challenges, since many of these clients have been to multiple providers and/or facilities and have not received the comprehensive care or resolution they require.

Our program’s values and philosophy can be summarized by the following:

• We believe in a holistic approach to health: Physical, Mental & Emotional
• We believe in the importance of tracking progress and helping our clients achieve the results they came for!
• We believe that change is usually hard, and we are committed to walking this path with our clients every step of the way.
• We believe that big results come from small changes consistently applied. 

Patient Relationships

What do you enjoy most about working with clients? 

Seeing their “before and after” results, and the joy and satisfaction in being a part of their journey!

How do you approach building a strong therapist-client relationship?

It starts with communicating from the initial contact how much we care and respect each client. We do this by being present, taking the time to address their questions or concerns, celebrating their accomplishments and encouraging them during times of challenge or setback.

We understand and value the importance of this relationship, knowing that true therapeutic change is only possible in the context of strong and solid therapist-client relationships.

Involvement in the Community

Dr. Petta is a member and listed certified provider with the following professional organizations:

International Society of Neuroregulation and Research (ISNR)

Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA)

Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB)

Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP)

Have you participated in any community outreach or mental health initiatives?

During my work with the military, I was involved with the Wounded Warrior Project, helping service members and their families transition to civilian life.

I currently provide military services through the Homecoming4Veterans program, providing Neurofeedback services to veterans in need.

Personal Interests

Can you share a bit about your interests or hobbies outside of your professional life?

I enjoy reading, meditation, listening to music and inspirational audio programs, and staying physically fit. I recently became a tropical reef hobbyist, and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the coral and saltwater fish. 

Michael McFarland

Driven by a passion for enhancing customer service and making a significant impact on people’s lives holistically, he has dedicated himself to improving the quality and efficiency of clinic operations.

Our Clinic Manager

Michaels focus on timely responses to client inquiries and ensuring their needs are effectively communicated to the clinic director has been paramount.

He initiates regular case reviews with the clinic director to ensure comprehensive client care.

His contributions include streamlining the documentation process and innovating more efficient Neurofeedback training methods that allow family members to train together, enhancing the therapeutic experience.

He has also improved financial reporting methods to increase transparency and efficiency.

Positive and Collaborative Work Environment

He prioritizes fostering a positive and collaborative work environment by encouraging staff participation in clinic operations improvements during weekly meetings.

His efforts in facilitating better communication among staff members have significantly improved the ability to resolve issues swiftly and maintain harmony within the team.

Leadership

His commitment to staff development and satisfaction is evident in his approach to scheduling regular meetings to discuss performance, providing targeted training resources, and organizing annual retreats focused on team building and operational enhancements.

He ensures that any staff disagreements are handled with care, maintaining a focus on professional customer interaction.

Service Quality

Addressing client concerns promptly and directing them to the appropriate channels for resolution is a key aspect of his role, ensuring every client feels heard and valued.

By implementing efficient processes, such as a monthly improvement strategy chart for staff and conducting thorough case reviews, he has played a crucial role in elevating the clinic’s service quality and operational excellence.

His leadership in coordinating weekly and monthly meetings ensures that both immediate and long-term concerns are addressed, fostering an environment of continuous improvement and exceptional care for their clients.