Meet Dr David Helfand, PsyD

When I was in high school at a small Vermont town, I started to form a theory that being able to fix targeted areas of the brain could relieve almost all human suffering. I read about meditation and then my parents let me borrow an old biofeedback device they had used in their psychology practice in the 1980’s. I remember being skeptical, but I plugged the sensors in, hooked up my finger, and started doing the breathing exercises. My next memory was waking up some time later with the book on the floor and device in stand by mode. I guess I was relaxed!

After high school I enrolled at the University of Vermont to study psychology and philosophy. During that time, someone introduced me to neurofeedback, and I found a local mentor who was open to training me and providing first hand experience of the process. I remember shortly after my 21st birthday, I did my first session. That night I went out with friends and had absolutely zero interest in drinking. I remember thinking that was very odd, and I told my mentor the story the next week. He said, “Well that makes sense. The relaxation you used is also for drug addiction.” Wow, I was completely hooked after that experience.

I needed some space to explore my own wellness after college, so I moved to Boston and bounced around a few different jobs in the mental health field to make money. During that time, I also became certified in Kripalu Yoga and started a yoga business teaching at studios, professional offices, and in people’s homes. I retained my interest in neurofeedback, but I realized that I wouldn’t be able to really make it a career unless I had more education.

I was accepted at William James College where I graduated with a doctorate in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Health Psychology. During my studies, I also worked as a neurofeedback technician, and I was hired in my post doc training to start a neurofeedback practice in a pre-existing mental health facility. I quickly realized that in order to provide the best support to clients, I needed to blend all of my training in hypnosis, mindfulness, yoga, couples therapy, and of course neurofeedback.

I started LifeWise in 2017 as a culmination of my vision for helping others. It has taken a few different forms over the years, and the business and I continue to grow and adapt to meet the needs of the community. It has been a rewarding, humbling, and fulfilling experience the last several years. I can’t wait to see where it takes me next.