Dan Staso, PhD

1985-2000 Clinical psychologist and owner, Bayshore Psychology Center and Cocaine Alternatives, Los Alamitos, CA.  For a 15-year period I developed and maintained a successful clinical private practice.  In the mid to late 1980’s I received specialty training in treating cocaine addiction and quickly developed a full practice treating this devastating addiction.  I had a method that worked and about 70% stopped using the drug as a result of my care.  This led to my becoming a consulting psychologist at the Schick Center 1988-90 where I learned a great deal about alcoholism. After 1990 my practice gradually became more general and included cases of depression, panic disorder, marital discord, post traumatic stress disorder, manic depression, social phobia, gambling addiction, spousal abuse victims, incest victims, work conflicts, pain management, anger management, parenting issues, adolescent adjustment problems, and drug abuse (alcohol, amphetamine, marijuana, heroin, and cocaine).  During these years I also sponsored 13 weekend intensive personal growth trainings (High Ropes Adventure Learning) in the San Bernardino mountains for my clients.

1988-1990 Consulting psychologist, Schick Chemical Dependency Unit, St. Mary Medical Center , Long Beach, CA. I conducted psychological assessments for drug and alcohol patients admitted to the inpatient chemical dependency unit.  I assisted in treatment planning and consulted with the nursing and counseling staff.

1982-1986 Licensed clinical psychologist, Adult and Family Psychiatric Medical Group, Rosemead, CA. I became one of nine associates in a large psychiatric practice that was located adjacent to the Alhambra Psychiatric Hospital . About one third of my caseload involved inpatient services. I was able to provide long term, intensive treatment as a follow-up to these patients.  I rotated on call assignments and handled crisis intervention and emergency situations. Typical cases were major depressive disorders, schizophrenia, manic-depression, suicidal, panic disorders, borderline personality disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, alcoholism, marital conflict, and adolescent conduct disorder. I provided individual, group, marital, and family psychotherapy.  I conducted psychological testing and evaluation.
Clinical Experience (pre-licensure)

1980-1982  Post-doctoral Internship, Adult and Family Psychiatric Medical Group, Rosemead, CA.  My supervisor was Jack Lindheimer, MD, psychiatrist, and Medical Director of the Alhambra Psychiatric Hospital.   Under supervision, I provided individual, group, marital, and family psychotherapy in both an inpatient and outpatient setting.  I also provided psychological testing and evaluation. 

1979-1980  American Psychological Association (APA) pre-doctoral approved internship (1500 hours), County of Orange Health Care Agency, Mental Health Services, Newport Beach Clinic, Ellis Wayne, PhD, supervisor.  I saw seriously disturbed individuals in a county outpatient clinic, many of whom had schizophrenia.  For one month I did a rotation through the Orange County Psychiatric Emergency Unit at the University of California Irvine Medical Center.  A locked unit, the facility had 5000 admissions a year.  Patients were typically brought in by the police for a 72-hour involuntary hold.  Those who were actively psychotic, suicidal, or mentally confused were interviewed, diagnosed, medicated, and transferred.   I personally or in a group setting evaluated 200 patients in that one month.

1976-1978  Registered Marriage and Family Counselor Intern, Los Angeles, CA.  I was supervised by Dr. Gary Dean for many of my required 1500 hours of clinical experience.   I treated a wide variety of disorders including depression and anxiety.

Formal Education

Doctorate

I earned my Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology with a specialty in Psychodiagnostics from the United States International University (now called Alliant University) in San Diego, California in 1981.   My doctoral dissertation was on biofeedback and ego strength.

Masters Degree

I earned a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1976.

Bachelors Degree

I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) in Psychology from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1974.  I graduated with Great Distinction (3.96 grade point average).

Associate Degree

I earned my Associate of Arts Degree (AA in General Education) from Long Beach City College , Long Beach, California in 1972. 

Teaching Experience

Faculty, California Graduate Institute , Los Angeles, CA 1998-2002.   I taught a total of 5 graduate courses, including subjects of Fear of Intimacy; Psychopharmacology; Overview of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR); and Separation Theory and Voice Therapy.

Lecturer, Psychology Department, California State University, Dominguez Hills , 1978-1982.  Over these four years I taught a total of 13 undergraduate courses.  These included subjects of: Introduction to Psychology; Research Methods in Psychology; Psychology of Human Sexuality; Abnormal Psychology; Introduction to Clinical Psychology; Psychology of Consciousness

Managed Care Panels

I am currently on most managed care panels, including 
Managed Health Network (MHN)
ValueOptions
 United Behavioral Health (UBH)
HealthNet (MHN)
Magellan
Aetna
Pacificare
Value Behavioral Health (VBH) 
Behavioral Health Resources (BHR)
Blue Cross of California
 Blue Shield of California
Holman

Professional Organizational Membership

Santa Barbara Psychological Association
National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology
CHAANGE Affiliate
International Society of Neuronal Regulation

Credentials

California Community College Counseling Credential
California Community College Instructor Credential: Psychology

Professional Liability Insurance Carrier

Executive Risk Indemnity Inc. c/o American Home Assurance Co. for $1,000,000/3,000,000

Publications and Presentations

Staso, D. "How to Improve Clinical Outcomes Using Neurofeedback and the Alpha Stim", Santa Barbara County Psychological Association, Santa Barbara, CA, February 2010.

Staso, D.  “Bioexplorer and NeuroIntegrator Level I  3 Day EEG Neurofeedback Training Course”, Clear Mind Center,  Irvine, CA, January 2006.

Staso, D.  “Bioexplorer and NeuroIntegrator Level I  3 Day EEG Neurofeedback Training Course”, Clear Mind Center,  Irvine, CA, August 2005.

Staso, D.  “Running DVDs as reward for neurofeedback using Roshi II+ with BioExplorer software”, Powerpoint presentation given at the 1st Annual Roshi EEG Neurofeedback Conference, Pasadena, CA, May 2005.

Staso, D. "All digital real time EEG neurofeedback and the treatment of migraine headaches: a case study."   Paper presented at the 2nd Annual Neuropathways EEG Imaging Conference,  Manhattan Beach, CA, August 2002.

Staso, D. "Career assessment using all digital real time EEG neurofeedback."   Paper presented at the First Annual Neuropathways EEG Imaging Conference,  Manhattan Beach, CA, August 2001.

Staso, D.  Book Review:  " Voice Therapy by Robert W. Firestone, PhD."  California Psychologist, March 1993. 

Staso, D.  " Autogenic Neutralization :  Its relationship to hypnosis and free association".  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA, April l981.

Staso, D.  Barron's ego strength measure and ability to reduce frontalis muscle tension utilizing electromyograph biofeedback. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, United States International University, January 1981.

Atkinson, D., Staso, D., and Hosford, R.  "Selecting counselor trainees with multicultural strengths: A solution to the Bakke decision crisis."  Personnel and Guidance Journal, May l978.

Neurofeedback Training

EEG Info Clinical Summit West, 24 MCEP hours, Woodland Hills, CA, 7/09.

Clinical Applications of nirHEG (near infra red hemoencephalography) Neurofeedback, Hershel Toomin Sc.D., Biocomp Research Institute, 8 hours, Los Angeles, CA 12/08.

Introduction to Clinical Practice in Neurofeedback, EEG Institute, 12 DVD self study program, 5/08.

Right Brain Affect Regulation, Allan Schore, PhD, Pacifica Graduate Institute, 4 MCEP hours, Santa Barbara, CA 10/07

15th Annual Conference of the International Society for Neuronal Regulation, 18 MCEP hours, San Diego, CA, 9/07.

Neurofeedback for Peak Performance:  Strategies for using the Peak Achievement Trainer, Jon Cowan, PhD, 8 hours, Park City, UT, 4/07. 

32nd Annual Conference of the Biofeedback Society of California, 26 MCEP hours, Burlingame, CA, 11/06

13th Annual Conference of the International Society for Neuronal Regulation, 19 MCEP hours, Denver, CO, 9/05.

1st Annual Roshi EEG Neurofeedback Conference, Pasadena, CA, 14 hours, 5/05.

 The Learning Curve (TLC) EEG Brain Training Practicum, Level 2, Peter Van Deusen, 16 hours, 5/05.  

Neurofeedback Alpha-Theta Training, Nancy White, PhD and Leonard Richards, PhD, Irvine, CA, 16 hours, 12/04. 

Neurofeedback Practitioner Training, BioExplorer and Roshi II+ (Advanced), George Martin, MA, St. Paul, MN, 8 hours, 11/04

Neurofeedback Practitioner Training, BioExplorer and Roshi II+ (Advanced), George Martin, MA, Boulder, CO, 24 hours, 5/04

Neurofeedback Certification Training, NeuroCarePro, Val Brown, PhD, Victoria, Canada, 24 hours, 4/04

Neurofeedback Practitioner Training, QEEG, NeuroCarePro, and Roshi II+, Grant Bright, PhD, 16 hours, Palm Springs, CA 1/04

Neurofeedback Practitioner Training, Roshi II+, Chuck Davis, 2 hours, Pasadena, CA 1/04.

Neurofeedback Practitioner Training, BioExplorer and Roshi II+ (Beginning), George Martin and Victoria Ibric, 16 hours, Pasadena, CA 10/03. 

11th Annual Conference of the International Society for Neuronal Regulation , 19 MCEP hours, Houston, TX, 9/03. 

3rd Annual Neuropathways EEG Imaging Conference, Margaret Ayers, 14 hours, Manhattan Beach, CA, 8/03

2nd Annual Neuropathways EEG Imaging Conference, Margaret Ayers, 14 hours, Manhattan Beach, CA, 8/02

"QEEG Certification Training: brain wave analysis", Mike Doohan, Lexicor Health Systems , 8 hours, Santa Barbara, CA, 5/02

 First Annual Neuropathways EEG Imaging Conference , Margaret Ayers, 14 hours, Manhattan Beach, CA, 8/01 

“All Digital, Real Time EEG Neurofeedback Training”, Margaret Ayers, MA, Neuropathways EEG Imaging, 40 hours, Beverly Hills, CA, 4/01

"A Promising Brainwave Training, Bio-behavioral Treatment of Alcohol and Drug Addiction ", Menninger Clinic, Topeka, KS, 20 CE Units, 9/90.

Additional Training

Nutrition and the Aging Brain, Institute for Brain Potential, Goleta, CA, 6 MCEP hours, 3/10

Aging and Long Term Care, AATBS, Ventura, CA, 4 MCEP hours, 4/05. 

California Law & Ethics for Psychologists, AATBS, Ventura, CA, 6 MCEP hours, 1/05.

Brain Injury: Stroke, Alzheimer's, and Head Trauma, Institute for Natural Resources, Santa Barbara, CA, 6 MCEP hours, 1/05.

 Emotional Transformational Therapy, Level II, Steven Vasquez, PhD, Los Angeles, CA, 14 MCEP hours, 10/04

Emotional Transformational Therapy, Level I, Steven Vasquez, PhD, Los Angeles, CA, 14 MCEP hours, 8/04

Domestic Violence Counseling Essentials, Scott Barrella, AATBS, Santa Barbara, CA, 7 MCEP hours, 4/04

Law and Ethics in Psychotherapy, R. Cassidy Seminars , Daniel Taube, JD, PhD, 5 MCEP hours, 6/03.

"Assessment & Treatment of Psychological Disability", Professional Psych Seminars , David Fox, PhD, 6 MCEP hours, Hollywood, CA 6/02.

"Non-Pharmaceutical Approaches to Mental Disorders: physiological causes and resolutions", Safe Harbor , 12 MCEP hours, Los Angeles, CA 6/02.

"Applications of Voice Therapy", Lisa Firestone, PhD and Joyce Catlett, MA, Glendon Association , 12 MCEP hours, Santa Barbara, CA, 5/02

"Evidence-Based Hypnosis-An Update on Effective Hypnotic Treatments”, Corydon Hammond, PhD, Southern California Society of Clinical Hypnosis, 6 MCEP hours, Los Angeles, CA, 3/02 

“Pain Management: perception and management”, Brent Van Dorsten, PhD, Cortext Educational Seminars , 6 MCEP hours, Goleta, CA, 11/01

"Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Mental Health Professionals", Community Counseling Center, 7 MCEP hours, Santa Barbara, CA 5/01

"Introduction to Neuropsychological Testing", California Graduate Institute, 7 MCEP hours, Irvine, CA, 5/01

"Forensic Sciences: Series 1", Prescribing Psychologists' Register, 18 MCEP hours Los Angeles, CA, 4/01

“The Developing Mind: advances in interpersonal neurobiology, clinical implications”, Daniel Siegel, MD , 6 MCEP hours, Fullerton, CA, 3/01

International College of Prescribing Psychologists’ (ICPP) National Exam Preparation/Review Course , 15 hours, Los Angeles, CA, 8/99

"Second Annual Advanced Psychopharmacology Update: epidemiology, legal, and ethical issues", Prescribing Psychologists' Register, (Series 17), 18 MCEP hours, Las Vegas, NV, 5/99

Prescription Privilege Preparation Program , Prescribing Psychologists' Register, Series 9-16,132 MCEP hours, 1996-1999.

"First Annual Advanced Psychopharmacology Update", Prescribing Psychologists' Register, Inc., (Series 8), 15 MCEP hours, Las Vegas, NV, 6/97

Prescription Privilege Preparation Program , Prescribing Psychologists' Register, Series 1-7, 126 MCEP hours, 1994-1996. 

“Secrets Kept from the Mind but not the Body”, Ian Wickramasekera , PhD, 10 MCEP hours, Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA  5/98.

“Comprehensive Energy Psychotherapy”, David & Rebecca Grudermeyer, PhD , 16 hours, Huntington Beach, CA, 6/98.

"Understanding and Treating Chemical Dependency", Edward Kaufman, MD, UCI Family Therapy Training Program , 7 MCEP hours,  Irvine, CA, 5/97

"A Scientifically-Based Marital Therapy", John Gottman, PhD , Seattle Marital and Family Institute, Inc., Los Angeles, CA, 12 MCEP hours, 5/97

" Combating Destructive Thought Processes ", Lisa Firestone, PhD & Joyce Catlett, MA, UCSB Extension, Santa Barbara, CA, 6 MCEP hours, 9/97

"Thought Field Therapy ", Suzanne M. Connolly, CISW, Santa Ana, CA, 6.5 hours, 9/96.

"Personality, Health and Motivation", William Polonsky, PhD, Institute for Cortext Research and Development , San Diego, CA, 6 MCEP hours, 9/96.

"Delete Techniques Training", Dr. Rolla Pennell, Newport Beach, CA, 20 hours, 4/96.

"Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Level II Training", Francine Shapiro, PhD, Los Angeles, CA, 14 CE Credits, 4/96.

"Using EMDR to Help People Reach Their Peak at Work", EMDR Institute, Inc.  Sandra Foster, PhD and Jennifer Lendl, PhD, 7 MCEP hours, 12/95.

"Beyond Survivor '95: Advances in the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder", Richard Landis, PhD, Southern California Society for Ericksonian Psychotherapy and Hypnosis , Irvine, CA, 20 MCEP hours, 7/95.

"Emotional Complex Clearing (ECC)", Brad May, PhD, San Diego, CA, 18 hours, 3/95.

"Conceptual Issues in Forensic Evaluation of Sexual Harassment", California Psychological Association Convention, San Diego, CA, 1 MCEP hour, 2/95. 

"The Clinical Practice of Career Assessment: Interest, Abilities, and Personality", APA Continuing Education Home Study Program, 10 hours, 2/95.

"Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMD-R) Level I Training ", Francine Shapiro, PhD, Los Angeles, CA, 14 MCEP hours, 1/94. 

Separation Theory & Voice Therapy Study/Training Group, Glendon Association , Los Angeles, CA. Completed an 18 month post-graduate course consisting of seven weekend seminars and ten monthly follow-up sessions studying the theory and therapy methods of Robert W. Firestone, PhD.  11/91 to 4/93. 

"Psychiatric Injuries and Workers' Compensation Medical-Legal Report Writing", Westwood Seminars, Los Angeles, CA, 7 hours, 11/90.

"Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMD-R) Workshop", Francine Shapiro, PhD, San Jose, CA, 12 hours, 9/90. 

"Treatment of Panic and Agoraphobia Under Managed Care", CPC Santa Ana Psychiatric Hospital, 4 hours, 11/90.

"CHAANGE Affiliate Training for Severe Anxiety and Agoraphobia" , John R. Pullen, PhD, San Diego, CA, 6 hours, 11/88.

"Spear Methodology for Professional Counselors and Therapists", Joseph Spear, D.O. and The Lorizon Institute, Long Beach, CA, 15 hours, 1/88.

"Resolving Traumatic Memories", David Grove Seminars , Los Angeles, CA, 12 hours, 11/87.

"Breaking the Cycle: Assessment and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect", Cambridge School of Psychology, Garden Grove, CA  6/87.

UCLA Extension :  "Cocaine: The Costly High", Richard Fields, PhD, course chairman, 6 MCEP hours, 5/85.