Dr. Jacques Duff. BA - Psych.; Grad. Dip. App. Sc.(Psych.) PhD ; MAPS; FANSA; MECNS; MISNR

Principal Psychologist, Neuroscientist and Nutritionist

Dr. Jacques Duff is the founder and Clinical Director of the Clinic. Since 1997 he has been involved in Clinical Neuroscience research at the Brain Sciences Institute, investigating the causes of ADHD and its treatment using Neurotherapy. In addition to being a psychologist, he has Postgraduate training in Clinical Neuroscience and Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. He has also received DAN training for Biomedical treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

His daily clinical work with ADHD has been featured on several TV programs such as Good Medicine, Catalyst the morning show with Kerry Anne, Today-Tonight and in national newspapers and Television News. He has presented extensively on the treatment of ADHD and childhood disorders at local and International seminars, including a keynote address for the Department of education & Training “Student Wellbeing Conference” and the 2nd International Mind of a child conference.

Qualifications. BA - Psych.; Grad. Dip. App. Sc.(Psych.) PhD ; MAPS; FANSA; MECNS; MISNR

PhD.in Clinical Neuroscience at the Brain Sciences Institute, Swinburne University Post.Grad. training in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM) Fellow Applied Neuroscience Society of Australasia Psychologist. DAN Trained in Biomedical Interventions

Specialised skills and Interests.

Quantitative EEG; Neurotherapy; Metabolic underpinnings to Mental Health issues, Nutritional and Dietary influences on disorders. Nutritional Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, DNA polymorphisms (Variant DNA genes that predispose to modern diseases and mental health issues) and their treatment through nutrigenomic interventions.

Courses undertaken

Member of the following professional Societies.

• Australian Psychological Society.
• Fellow of the Applied Neuroscience Society of Australasia. (President. 2005-2007)
• Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental medicine
• International Society for Neurofeedback Research (ISNR) (Board Member. 2004-2006)
• EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society (USA)
• Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) (USA)
• Dr. Duff was instrumental in the amalgamation of ISNR and AAAPB in Australia into the Applied Neuroscience Society of Australasia, and remains active on the Board.
• APS special interest group on Complementary Medicine
• APS special interest group on Neurotherapy.
• Applied Behavioural Intervention Association (ABIA)

Publications

• The Usefulness of QEEG and Neurotherapy in the Assessment and Treatment of Post-concussion Syndrome. Clinical EEG, Oct 2004.
• Red cell fatty acid profiles of children with ADHD, Autism and Neurodevelopmental problems. Presented at the APS conference Brisbane. ISNR conference 2006
• Complementary medicine treatment of ADHD and Autism. Journal of complementary Medicine, 2007
• Case study of multidisciplinary treatment of a child with ADHD and Mood Disorder. Journal of complementary Medicine, 2008
• Case study of multidisciplinary treatment of a man with panic disorder and depression. Journal of Complementary Medicine, 2009
• Mauve factor and Kryptopyrroles. A common blood disorder causing Zinc and Vit B6 deficiency associated with psychiatric disorders. Journal of Complementary Medicine, 2009

International Seminar attendances

Since 1997, in addition to Psychology symposiums, Dr Duff attends international symposiums and conferences of the following international scientific societies in Australia and overseas.

• APS- Australian Psychological Society
• ISBET - International Society for Brain Electromagnetic Topography
• HBM – Human Brain Mapping
• IOOP – International Organisation of Psychophysiology.
• ISNR – International Society for Neuronal Regulation
• ECNS – EEG and Clinical Neuroscience Society
• ANSA – Applied Neuroscience Society of Australasia

Seminar and Conference Presentations

Dr Duff has also presented the following papers at local and international professional seminars and symposiums.

1999 Swinburne Uni. - Arousal and activation in the human attentional system
2000 Australian Association of Psychophysiology and Biofeedback- Sydney – Correlates of QEEG patterns and ADHD subtypes
2000 Ballarat – The usefulness of QEEG and Neurotherapy in assessing and treating ADHD
2001 Swinburne Uni. Ritalin and ADHD. What we learn from DAT-KO mice, stimulant medication Dopamine and Serotonin.
2001 Swinburne Uni. - The Neurobiology of ADHD. Neuronal self-regulation in the attentional system.
2001 RMIT Uni. - Neural underpinnings of ADHD
2001 Monash Uni. - Understanding and treating ADHD Autism and Behavioural disorders
2001 Swinburne Uni. -Neurotherapy combined with Metacognitive strategies. effectiveness in students with ADHD and high functioning Autism.
2001 ISNR Cairns – Neocortical Dynamics and the Attentional system implications for children with ADHD and Autism
2001 ISNR Cairns – QEEG Neurometrics and differential diagnosis of ADHD
2001 Swinburne Uni. – Understanding and treating ADHD, Autism and Behavioural disorders
2001 RMIT Uni. – QEEG, Neurotherapy and ADHD
2002 International Mind of a Child conference – Sydney – Usefulness of QEEG and TOVA in the diagnosis of ADHD.
2002 International Mind of a Child conference– Sydney – Neurotherapy in the treatment of ADHD.
2002 Mayne Health – Perth - Omega 3 fatty acids and micronutrients in the treatment of ADHD and developmental disorders.
2002 Mayne Health – Perth - QEEG and Neurotherapy in the treatment of ADHD.
2002 ISNR Melbourne – A neuronal model that may underpin psychiatric disorders.
2002 DEET – Student Well being Conference – Keynote address
2002 DEET - Student Well being Conference - Workshop – understanding and treating ADHD, LD and Behavioural disorders
2003 Association of Independent Practicing Psychologists – Workshop - Success Practice Congress. Understanding and treating ADHD and Autism
2002 Bendigo – Intensive behavior intervention, Behavioural strategies, Metacognition and Neurotherapy in the treatment of ADHD and Autism spectrum disorders.
2003 DEET - Student Well being Conference –Melbourne - Keynote address Nutritional supplementation and Neurotherapy in the treatment of ADHD
2003 Bioscreen medical seminar – Pacific Medical -Melbourne – Neuropsysiological management of ADHD, Autism and Neurodevelopmental disorders.
2004 Canterbury University, Christchurch NZ. Traumatic brain injuries, ADHD, and mood disorders.
2004 Victorian Country towns - Traumatic brain injuries, ADHD, Autism and mood disorders.
2005 Autism State Conference – Assessment and treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders. Behavioural and Biomedical approaches .
2005 ISNR national Conference. (1) Differential diagnosis of early degenerative dementia from Alzheimers disease using QEEG and treatment options.
2005 ISNR national Conference. (2) The usefulness of QEEG and Neurotherapy in the diagnosis and treatment of Post-concussion Syndrome.\
2005 MINDD Sydney. The Gut Brain Connection relationship between IBS and Psych Disorders. Implications for Autism
2006 MINDD Sydney. The Gut Brain Connection relationship between IBS and Psych Disorders. Implications for Autism
2006 ISNR sydney. Neurotherapy in the treatment of ADHD
2006 ISNRR annual conference Atlanta Georgia.. Neurotherapy in the treatment of ADHDD
2006 Essential fatty acid profiles of children with ADHD and Autism Spectrum disorders2006 Essential fatty acid profiles of children with ADHD and Autism Spectrum disorders2006 Essential fatty acid profiles of children with ADHD and Autism Spectrum disordersEssential fatty acid profiles of children with ADHD and Autism Spectrum disorders
2006 Bioconceptss. two (18 hours) weekend workshops for medical and allied health professionals, Autism, ADHD. relationship between IBS, nutritional factors and behaviours..
20077 Mentall Healthh Summitt. Gold Coast Queensland – relationship between IBS, nutritional factors Autism, ADHD and Psych Disorderss
20077 MINDDD Sydneyy. Neurotherapy in the treatment of ADHD --
20077 Applied Neuroscience Society of Australasia..Annual Conference and Workshops, Melbourne. Brain Electrical activity of Boys with ADHD following Neurotherapyy
20088 Appliedd Neurosciencee Societyy off Australasia..Annual Conference and Workshops (48hrs) Sydney..
20099 Mentall Healthh Summitt Melbournee. The Gut Brain Connection, IBS and Psych Disorders. Implications for Autismm
20099 Mentall Healthh Summitt Melbournee. Case studies of 8 Children with ADHD and Aspergers Syndrome in a secondary college setting..
20099 BNCC Melbourne..ABA theory and Intensive Behavior intervention - three day seminar..
20099 MINDDD Melbournee. Intestinal Dysbiosis and Methylation anomalies in Autism Spectrum Disorders..
20099 MINDDD Townsvillee. Gut-Brain axis. Mechanisms of interaction in Psych disorderss
20100 BNCC Melbournee. ABA theory and Intensive Behavior intervention- two day seminar..
20100 Sydneyy. Health congress (3 days))

Helen Salter BA Grad Dip (Psych) Senior Psychologist

Katrina Bello B.BSc.(Hons), PhD Candidate, AssocMAPS, MANSA

Kat is an associate member of the Australian Psychological Society, a member of the Applied Neuroscience Society of Australasia, and other organisations, including the ABIA, Autism Victoria, and Autism Speaks. She has completed post graduate studies in neuropsychology and her PhD research thesis focused on various aspects of visual attention and information processing of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), with and without intellectual disability. Kat’s work experience has included diverse group of adults and children, including children who have ASD, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS, ADD/ADHD, Conduct Disorder, Intellectual Disability and behavioural problems.

PhD Candidate (Neuropsychology), Brain Sciences Institute. Swinburne University of Technology

Thesis Title:  Visual attentional processing and reading ability in children and adults: Lower and higher order visual information processing and attention in children with intellectual disability with or without Autism Spectrum Disorder

 Kat has extensive training and experience in the following areas:

• Psychological assessment and diagnosis: structured and unstructured clinical interview, motivational interviewing, observation and a range of psychometric tests (e.g. WISC, WPPSI, WAIS, WRAML, BDI, NEO-PR, Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales).

• Intervention strategies for individuals and families (e.g. CBT, REBT, Mindfulness) for a range of presenting problems in children, adolescents and adults.

• Training in Autism specific assessment tools (e.g. ADOS, ADI-R) and intervention strategies (e.g. ABA, PRT, PECS).

• Kat was involved in the development of the clinic’s PRT (Pivotal Response Treatment Course), and is a regular presenter on this course.

• High level quantitative and qualitative research skills.

• Data collection, accurate data entry, analysis, interpretation and reporting

• Extensive experience with electrophysiological and psychophysical methods.

• Experience with assessment and intervention for a range of presenting problems for adults, children, adolescents and groups, with a particular focus on children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

1999 – 2006   Part-time team member of the North East region, Victoria Department of Human Services

2006 – 2008  Sessional Developmental Psychology Tutor at the Monash University Clayton and Caulfield campuses

                                 Sessional Behavioural Neuroscience Tutor  at Latrobe University Bundoora campus

 Publications and Posters include:

• Bello, K., Goharpey, N., Crewther, S. & Crewther, D. (2008). A puzzle form of a non-verbal intelligence test gives significantly higher performance measures in children with severe intellectual disability. BMC Pediatrics, 8, 30-38.

• Bello, K. & Goharpey, N. (2007). A puzzle form in a non-verbal intelligence test gives significantly higher performance measures in children with severe intellectual disability. Proceedings of the Autism Research Victoria Conference, 3.

• Bello, K. D., Goharpey, N., Crewther, S., & Crewther, D. (2005). Error type analysis on the Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices show qualitative differences between children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, intellectual disability, and typical development. Poster presented in the Autism Research Forum.

• Bello, K., Crewther, S. & Crewther, D. (2003). Age related differences in reading rate, intelligence, and transient processing. Proceedings of  the Joint International Conference on Cognitive Science, 23-24.

• Bello, K. D., Crewther, S., & Crewther, D. (2003). Reading and hemispheric  asymmetries in global-local processing. Poster presented in the Conference of the Australian Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

• Bello, K. D., Crewther, S., & Crewther, D. (2002). Reading rate is associated with  performance on tasks measuring dorsal and ventral functioning. Poster presented in the Conference for Australian Opthalmology and Visual Sciences.

• Crewther, S., Lawson, M., Bello, K. & Crewther, D. (2007). The visual attentional blink reflects constraints on temporal visual processing, not just a lapse of visual memory Clinical and Experimental Optometry, 90(4), 282 – 289.

• Lawson, M., Bello, K., et al. (2002). Is the Attentional Blink related to Working Memory or Executive Function? Investigations in Ophthalmology and Vision Science, 43.

Nahal Goharpey B.BSc. (Grad dip), PhD Candidate, AssocMAPS, MANSA

Nahal has completed post graduate studies in psychology. Her interests lie in the theoretical and practical implementation of early interventions in children with Autism. Her PhD research thesis investigated the role of visual attention in the construct of Intellectual disability. Nahal has work experience implementing Applied Behavioural Analyst (ABA) therapy with children and adolescents with Autism both privately and publically at a specialist school in Melbourne. She helped develop the Clinic's   Pivotal Response Treatments  form of ABA therapy and is a presenter on the courses.

Nahal is also trained as a Quantitative Electroencephalographic (QEEG) technician and analyst, Neurotherapist and PRT therapist. In addition to her work with adults and children, Nahal assists in the presentation of ABA/PRT and home Neurotherapy workshops, providing parents, teachers and other professions with education and practical training of these therapies offered. She undertakes initial consultations and assists the psychologists with assessments and implementing the various interventions and programs being provided to adults and children at the clinic. Nahal has experience working with a diverse range of conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger's Syndrome, PDD-NOS, ADD/ADHD, Intellectual Disability, Depression, Anxiety and behavioural problems.

Nahal also works as a volunteer telephone grief counsellor for women and men who have recently experienced a loss of a child (e.g. through miscarriage, abortion and still birth).  She is a tutor and guest Lecturer on the Psychology course at Latrobe University.

Nahal is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society, Applied Neuroscience Society of Australasia, Applied Behavioural Intervention Association (ABIA), Autism Victoria and Bonnie Babes Foundation.