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The Cognitive Function Development Institute (CFDI) is an operational program of Transformational Opportunities. The Institute founders have, since 2009, provided cognitive function development therapy and training to produce positive outcomes, with far-reaching, long-lasting transference effects, for both individuals and groups. As an organization, the Institute is responsible for developing, promoting, advocating, and otherwise supporting cognitive function development therapy as an evidence-based, research-backed, non-invasive treatment, which may be an appropriate primary, adjunct, or follow-up therapy in many situations including, but not limited to:

• Cognitive impairment or decline which can occur in clients as a result of one or more prior, current, or chronic medical condition(s). For example, cognitive impairment commonly occurs as a result of kidney or heart failure, chemotherapy & radiation treatments, meningitis, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, brain tumors, exposure to toxic substances, malnutrition, and head injury.
 
• Those in which chronic cognitive impairment results from genetic influences (e.g. Huntington’s disease and Down’s syndrome), the onset of dementia (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease), strokes, or other conditions.
 
• Cognitive impairment resulting in mental and behavioral health disorders – e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, anorexia nervosa, etc. Such cognitive impairments may be a result of trauma or traumatic experience and as such cognitive function development therapy is best expressed from a trauma-informed perspective..
 
• Though not a result of cognitive decline per se, an individual may experience significant academic, work/career, and relationship challenges as a result of overall low cognitive functioning or specific gaps in their cognitive function profile.

Cognitive Function Development Therapy

Cognitive function development therapy (CFDT) is increasingly challenging, uses varied activities to repeatedly target specific functions, is adoptive to recipient needs and situations, and is delivered through personal interaction. When properly delivered by qualified individuals, it has an unmatched capacity to produce long-lasting, far-reaching effects in recipients.

The CFDI therapeutic model is the result of a broad-based synthesis of peer-reviewed research on cognitive neuropsychology. Like any scientific model, its value is derived from its ability to make comprehensible complex systems, and from that understanding generate useful applications. For the CFDT practitioner, this means understanding how to efficaciously plan and deliver therapeutic sessions, understand and direct participant responses, and utilize a wide variety of materials and tools for the attainment and stabilization of client therapeutic goals and objectives.

As CFDT is a relatively new modality, it is fair to say that this therapeutic model is a work in progress. Undoubtedly it will benefit from more practitioners and feedback from their theoretical perspective and field experience. To that end, welcome to the CFDI team!

CFD Institute Certification Levels

The primary mission of the CFDI is to train, certify, and support the various levels of CFDTs and their life-changing work. Currently recognized CFDI certifications include:

Cognitive Function Development Assistant

Individuals at the CFDA level are recognized as having demonstrated the knowledge and technical expertise necessary to service as a local proctor for remote CFD therapy sessions and to assist with facilitating group CFD sessions.

Cognitive Function Development Specialist

The CFDS is a unique, non-advancement certification track for individuals desiring to utilize the skills, knowledge, and techniques for effective, long-term cognitive function development therapy for family members or others with conditions resulting in chronic cognitive decline or impairment (e.g. Alzheimer’s disease, Down’s syndrome, etc). Individuals with this certification are not licensed to practice CFDT professionally, and may not receive monetary compensation from doing so.

Cognitive Development Technician

Individuals at the CDT level are recognized as having demonstrated the knowledge and technical expertise necessary to administer various cognitive function development activities under the supervision of a Certified or Master CFDT, or to perform duties as might commonly be called "brain training" with the expectation that clients develop speed and accuracy while performing specific, targeted tasks.

Associate Cognitive Function Development Therapist

The ACFDT is recognized as having demonstrated the knowledge and technical expertise necessary to provide local or remote 1:1 cognitive function development therapy under the direct supervision of a Master or Certified CFD Therapist with the expectation that clients will develop long-lasting, far-reaching transfer effects. ACFDTS in good standing with the CFDI are expected to:

• Develop individualized CFD therapeutic plans intended to generate long-lasting, far-reaching transference effects consistent with client / responsible party goals and targeted neuroplasticity consistent with client’s clinical goals;
 
• Provide CFDT consistent with an individual CFD therapeutic plan as described above;
 
• Supervise, direct and/or advise the activities, procedures, therapies, and client-focused interactions of non-credentialed individuals as may be consistent with the client’s CFD progress or functional level.

Certified Cognitive Development Therapist

The CCFDT is recognized as having demonstrated the knowledge, technical expertise, and theoretical understanding necessary to provide, adjust, and modify client CFD therapy, under the auspices of a local or remote Master CFDT, and to provide direct CFDT supervision of individuals of equal or lower certification. CCFDTs in good standing with the CFDI are expected to:

• Determine the appropriateness of CFD therapy for individual clients based on client CFD assessment, diagnostic and psychiatric history, client presentation, and client / responsible party goals;
 
• Supervise delivery of CFDT by those at or below the ACFDT credentialing level;
 
• Oversee and evaluate practicum experiences of those pursuing ACFDT or lower credentialing;
 
• Act as lead author in contributions to the CFDI Knowledgebase;

Master Cognitive Development Therapist

An individual who achieves MCFDT certification is recognized as having demonstrated preeminent knowledge, technical expertise, and theoretical understanding of all aspects of CFD therapy, has consistently contributed to furthering the CFDI knowledge base, and has consistently developed excellence of practice and improved theoretical understanding of CFD therapists at a variety of credentialing levels. MCFDTs in good standing with the CFDI are expected to:

• Provide assessments of incoming, concurrent, and graduating CFDT clients;
 
• Assign clients to the most appropriate CFD therapist among those available to receive new clients;
 
• Supervise, guide, equip, and develop those at or below the CCFDT credentialing level for improved delivery of CFDT and understanding of the therapeutic model;
 
• Act in an editorial capacity for other’s contributions and as lead author in original contributions to the CFDI Knowledgebase;
 
• Demonstrate managerial leadership of a stand-along Cognitive Function Development Therapy center or a CFDT program within a mental and behavioral health facility;
 
• Ensure alignment of CFDI Licensee practice, goals, and specific needs with the CFDI and the CFDI’s Therapeutic Model.

CFDI Licensing

In addition to training and certifying individuals to deliver cognitive function development therapy, the Institute also provides organizational licenses. As a Licensee, an organization providing mental and behavioral health services can:

• Improve client outcomes through introducing cognitive function development therapy based on the CFDI therapeutic model;
 
• Provide additional venues for staff development through certification and advancement opportunities with the CFDI as cognitive function development therapists;
 
• Develop additional revenue streams including private pay and insurance-billable services, providing detailed cognitive function assessments, sublicensing opportunities, and more.;

For more information, contact the CFDI.