
Michael Cohen’s Biography
Brain coach. Teacher. Researcher. Author. Thought leader.
These are some of the words used to describe Michael “Mike” Cohen by colleagues and clients alike.
Researching since 1996
Since 1996 Mike has been researching the brain, neurofeedback, and human behavior across multiple disciplines. He integrates his near-encyclopedic knowledge into a powerful and unique approach to helping those who struggle with brain issues. He’s helped thousands of adults and children, while also teaching courses and mentoring health professionals learning about neurofeedback.
Taking on difficult cases/looking at the whole person
Mike frequently takes on the most difficult cases, often referred to him by physicians, mental health care practitioners and other neurofeedback providers around the country.
He looks beyond the diagnosis or “condition” to help identify the constellation of factors that contribute to the problem which usually goes beyond any single discipline. “Sometimes it’s like putting a jigsaw puzzle together that no one has figured out. “
His case load is a mix of straightforward and complicated situations including anxiety, depression, post-concussion syndrome and other neurological issues, behavioral and attention issues, sleep, memory loss and much more.
Refining the art and science of neurofeedback
Throughout his career Mike has worked passionately to refine and apply the art and science of neurofeedback and biofeedback to maximize brain behavior and function.
Adding new tools and adjunct approaches
In recent years he’s considerably expanded his ability to help people by adding a diverse, broad, and comprehensive constellation of investigative tools and tactics to his multiple biofeedback and neurofeedback modalities. These include several types of brain maps in his clinic, and a sophisticated brain and body health-enhancing oxygen exercise program at an off-site facility.
A customized approach
Mike takes a customized approach to helping his clients. The aim of this approach is to gain a big picture of what’s going on and to help uncover its root cause. (“It’s remarkable how often the root cause is missed,” Mike says. “Most specialists are trained to be narrowly focused rather than to take a multi-disciplinary approach. This narrow focus results in many people enduring a never-ending cycle of frustration and failed solutions.”)
A teacher and mentor
A passionate teacher, Mike offers sought-after in-person and online neurofeedback courses and mentoring. He speaks at medical schools, healthcare conferences and to groups of the general public.
Book author
He is author of the groundbreaking book Neurofeedback 101: Rewiring the Brain for Anxiety, ADHD, Depression & Beyond (without medication), designed to explain neurofeedback to the lay person and what it can do. (Click here to order.)
How Mike got into neurofeedback
Mike went into neurofeedback after his father, who suffered from severe depression, wasn’t being helped by conventional medical treatments, which included drugs and electroshock therapy. Once he saw impressive improvement in his father in a matter of a few days of neurofeedback, he quit his high-paying job in the technology field to devote himself to learning all he could about it. He co-founded his first neurofeedback clinic in 1996. Read the full story of Mike’s journey with his father here.
Seeks solutions using a multi-disciplinary approach
“There are few places where people can go for help in piecing together the myriad issues that come together to cause brain-based problems,” Mike says. “Some typical ones are brain inflammation, metabolic and gut/microbiome issues, diet issues, and environmental triggers.
All these can contribute to a problem, and doing something about them can make a difference.
“I troubleshoot each new client’s situation from a multidisciplinary perspective,” he continued. “It’s not enough to only look at brainwaves. You have to figure out how the problem occurred, then identify what are likely to be multiple factors affecting the brain. People’s brains are dysregulated for a reason, so it’s important to get to the bottom of the cause. Once the cause (or causes) is identified, it can typically be addressed.
“Armed with that information, any brain training or other applied technology at our disposal will be much more effective and long-lasting. The result: a greater chance of impacting people’s lives.”