Our Staff
Dr. Mari Swingle
Mari K. Swingle, Ph.D., R. Psych, BCIA Certified Neurofeedback, Senior Fellow
Dr. Mari Swingle is a practicing clinician, researcher, writer, presenter and author of i-Minds: How Cell Phones, Computers, Gaming and Social Media Are Changing Our Brains, Our Behavior, and the Evolution of Our Species and i-Minds 2.0 (Second Edition): How and Why Constant Connectivity is Rewiring Our Brains and What to Do About it. She speaks locally and internationally to professionals and the general public on the topic of health and happiness in the digital age. Dr. Mari has Level Two Certification in EMDR, EFT, Level One Craniosacral Therapy, and practices under R.Psych designation.
Dr. Mari is a 2015 Winner of a Federation of Associations of Brain and Behavioral Sciences (FABBS) Early Career Impact Award for her ‘major research contributions to the sciences of mind, brain, and behavior’ … ‘and increasing awareness of research through media and public outreach’.
Dr. Elizabeth Hartney
Elizabeth Hartney, Ph.D., R.Psych., B.C.N., B.C.B.
Dr. Elizabeth Hartney received her Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Birmingham, UK, after earning a M.Sc. in cognitive science. She also holds a M.A. in higher education and a BSc (Hons) in psychology.
Prior to joining the Swingle Clinic, Dr. Hartney worked with A.T. Malcolm & Associates (currently Vancouver Island Psychological Services) from 2000 to 2003, where she provided biofeedback in the clinic and at the Occupational Trauma and Stress Support Centre at the Canadian Forces Base Hospital in Esquimalt, focusing on the treatment of PTSD. During the same period, she provided biofeedback services at the Victoria Pain Clinic Inc, as part of their interdisciplinary residential pain program.
She provided neurofeedback at the Swingle Clinic in Vancouver from 2008 to 2012, and has provided locum services until 2020. She also worked as a psychologist providing addiction treatment services for people with concurrent disorders, including chronic pain, at the Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary. She was Professor of Leadership specializing in health at Royal Roads University, and is an accomplished researcher and author of numerous publications. She has presented at local, national, and international conferences on addictions, stress management, and healthcare policy, and she was the Ministry of Health’s resident psychologist from 2012 to 2016. Most recently, her research has focused on patient-centred care for people who use substances, supporting First Nations and Indigenous peoples in improving cultural safety within the health system, and health leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Hartney utilizes biofeedback and neurofeedback treatment, in addition to EMDR, motivational dialogue, and mindfulness-based approaches to therapy. She is a Registered Psychologist with the College of Psychologists of British Columbia and is Board Certified in Neurofeedback and Biofeedback by the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA). She is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (BPS), and is an Associate Fellow of the BPS and a Fellow of the BCIA. She is listed with the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology and she is the current Chair of the Quantitative Electrophysiology Section of the Canadian Psychological Association.
Dr. Paul G. Swingle – Now Retired
(Retired) Paul G. Swingle, Ph.D., F.C.P.A (Fellow of the Canadian Psychological Association), R.Psych., Senior Fellow BCIA, B.C.N., B.C.B.
Dr. Swingle can be considered one of the founding fathers of Clinical Psychoneurophysiology, one of a select few, directly responsible for bringing Neurotherapy out of university labs and clinics to the general populace in the 1980’s.
His academic positions include, Professor of Psychology at the University of Ottawa from 1972 to 1997, Lecturer in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School from 1991 to 1998, Associate Attending Psychologist at McLean Hospital (Boston), Head of the Clinical Psychophysiology Service McLean Hospital (Boston). Professor Swingle was also Clinical Supervisor at the University of Ottawa from 1987 to 1997 and Chairman of the Faculty of Child Psychology from 1972 to 1977. Dr. Swingle is a Registered Psychologist in British Columbia and is Board Certified in Biofeedback and Neurotherapy. He is actively involved in research and practice. His numerous publications including nine books and numerous peer reviewed journal publications. Some of which can be accessed here.
Our Neuro-Technicians
Our highly trained Neuro-Technician staff are skilled in administering neurofeedback and biofeedback protocols. Their complimentary skills include healing facilitation techniques, therapeutic touch, energy psychology and cranial sacral therapy. Their training background ranges from nursing to physiotherapy to traditional Chinese medicine. Ongoing training in supportive and facilitating healing techniques is an integral part of our clinical staff development program.
Jana Horak, M. Ed., B.C.N.
Jana has been working as a Neurotechnician and Craniosacral Therapist at Swingle Clinic since 2001. Her life-long learning journey started in Czech Republic where she graduated with a Master’s degree in Education.
After 3 years of teaching she immigrated to Canada, and pursued studies in health care. The first step in this direction was a 12 year long position as a Registered Radiation therapist at BC Cancer Agency. Jana continued to broaden her knowledge by completing a 3 year Acupuncture program at ICTM in Vancouver, and studying Craniosacral Therapy (CST), therapy modalities including Somato Emotional Release (SER). Jana is passionate about her work and continues attending lectures in preventative medicine. In her free time she enjoys traveling, reading, and learning new languages.
Early Valencia has a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy from Fatima College of Physical Therapy in the Philippines. She also holds a Certificate in Adult Mental Health from Douglas College. Prior to working at Swingle Clinic Early worked in a private facility for individuals with mental health issues. Here Early assisted individuals with mental health challenges and addiction issues by guiding and supporting to enable healing and recovery.
In 2007, Early joined Swingle Clinic as a Neurotechnician. She now works with both children and adults with wide range of neurophysiologic conditions. Early is our specialist bodily injury, brain trauma, and biological ailments that result in compromised movement.
Early blends her knowledge from both the worlds of physiotherapy and pshychoneurophysiology to assist individuals reach their maximum potential. She also runs our sleep assessment lab. Early is passionate about her work, often going beyond the call of duty to accommodate a client’s well being. She treats every client with outmost respect and works very hard to provide them with the best and effective treatment they deserve.
Julia is a Queen’s University graduate who received a BSc, Major in Psychology and minor in Life Sciences. She has worked as a Neurotechnician and Research Assistant at Neurofeedback clinics in Ontario, before moving to Vancouver and joining the Swingle Clinic. Julia enjoys being able to use her neuroscience and mental health knowledge to help make a difference in our client’s lives.