Susan Smiley, Owner of the Optimum Brain Neurofeedback Center, has spent over 20 years focusing on the human brain and it’s profound capacity for adaptation and healing. As a neurofeedback specialist with nearly a decade of experience, Susan has transformed the lives of hundreds of clients of all ages, helping them to shed the debilitating symptoms of psychological, cognitive or neurological issues through evidence-based, holistic therapies including Neurofeedback, Biofeedback and Deep State Training. As an advocate for brain wellness, she bridges research to practice, utilizing storytelling and public speaking to illuminate advances in our understanding of neuroplasticity to a wider audience. Her goal is to evolve the way trauma and all mental health challenges are perceived and treated.

Susan received her Ed.M. from Harvard University through the interdisciplinary neuroscience-based program Mind, Brain, and Education, where she studied the life-long effects of traumatic stress on the brain and nervous system. She received training from renowned neurofeedback pioneers and innovators Sue and Siegfried Othmer at the Othmer Institute in Woodland Hills, CA. In addition, she trained in the cutting-edge and powerful IASIS Microcurrent neurofeedback, and the Safe and Sound Program developed upon Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory. For QEEG brain mapping, Susan trained with David Kaiser PhD, a leading QEEG brain mapping clinician, to offer a full analytical assessment of the brain and help provide a comprehensive neurofeedback protocol tailored to each individual.

Susan’s compassionate and holistic approach to neurotherapy is informed by her experience as a neurofeedback client herself. After decades of psychotherapy with limited success, she sought neurofeedback to resolve chronic effects of complex trauma including lifelong depression, paralyzing anxiety and sleep issues. Her results were transformational. Now, it is her privilege to witness the joy, confidence and resilience return to clients as they become their best selves.

She enjoys giving presentations about neurofeedback, and wonders why every doctor, psychologist and educator doesn’t know about this remarkable modality. As a mental health advocate, Susan has given presentations at corporations including behavioral healthcare and pharmaceutical companies, keynoted and presented at state and national conferences (NAMI, American Society of Bioethics and Humanities, Women’s Mental Health Symposium), and spoken at professional organizations (American Psychiatric Association, Biennial Winter Workshop on Schizophrenia Research in Davos), advocacy groups, universities (Boston University School of Public Health, UT Southwestern, Tulane), and government agencies (Departments of Health and Human Services and Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services).