On the Death of Matt Fleischman, Founder of the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project

It is with great sadness that we learned of the death of Matt Fleischman, founder of the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project (NAP).
Matt was not only the initiator of the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project, which he shaped with great clarity, perseverance, and personal conviction. He was also an extraordinary person. His death leaves a void that is deeply felt by us, not only professionally, but above all on a personal level.

Matt Fleischman worked as a licensed psychologist with a doctoral degree in Eugene, Oregon. Throughout his professional life, he worked at the intersection of behavioral therapy, neurofeedback, and healthcare systems. As a principal investigator, he was involved in a project funded by the National Institute of Mental Health in which family-based treatment programs were implemented in social service settings.

Matt first encountered neurofeedback in the late 1980s. In the decades that followed, he explored a wide range of neurofeedback approaches and their integration into therapeutic practice. He taught and lectured in the United States and internationally, and remained consistently committed to the practical and responsible use of neurofeedback-based methods.

In his memory, we would like to share the story of the project that was particularly close to his heart.

The Founding of the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project
Matt founded the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project in 2018 after retiring from active clinical practice. His goal was clear: neurofeedback should be made available where the need is greatest – in social service institutions. He was not focused on short-term effects, but on building sustainable structures and a solid foundation for decision-making in the practical delivery of care. To make the benefits of neurofeedback understandable and verifiable, he emphasized the systematic collection of data from real-world practice from the very beginning.

To support this effort, Matt developed the Results Tracking System. It enables clinicians to document relevant progress and outcome information in a structured way. This data foundation was central to him, as it made practical experience visible and allowed the effects of neurofeedback in social service settings to be assessed in a well-grounded manner.

Collaboration with BEE Medic
Since December 2020, BEE Medic and the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project have worked closely together, particularly in the areas of data analysis and project development. Matt advanced the project with perseverance, clarity, and great personal commitment. The regular exchanges were marked by respect, openness, and a shared commitment to developing meaningful and responsible solutions. Over time, this collaboration grew into not only a professional partnership, but also a personal bond. 

Results and Impact of the Project
Publicly available analyses from the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project’s Results Tracking System show meaningful changes across several areas that are particularly relevant to social service settings. The data are based on systematically collected self-assessments and progress documentation from participating institutions. Among other findings, the reports indicate reductions in the severity of identified problem areas as well as improvements in emotional regulation and behavior. Changes are also observed in areas such as school-related behavior, substance relapse, emergency care utilization, and hospitalizations. These results highlight the potential of neurofeedback-based interventions in addressing complex challenges such as trauma, chronic stress, and multiple psychosocial risk factors. Systematic data collection makes it possible to contextualize and further develop the use of neurofeedback in social care environments.

Continuation of the Project
The Neurofeedback Advocacy Project will continue. In the fall, Colette Melancon was appointed Executive Director. We are very pleased that she has taken on this role and will continue the work of the project.

Farewell
With Matt Fleischman, we lose the founder of the Neurofeedback Advocacy Project and a person who influenced many through his integrity, energy, and humanity. His commitment and approach live on in the project he built.

Further information:
https://www.neurofeedbackadvocacyproject.com/