Our Staff
We welcome patients from Northwest Suburban and Chicago Northshore, Glenview, Northbrook, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Hoffman Estates, Des Plaines and Mount Prospect in Cook County, IL.
To learn more about biofeedback and neurofeedback or to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors, please visit our contact us page.
Joseph N. O’Donnell, MA, MBA, PhD: Board-Certified Neurotherapist
A lifetime devoted to helping others.
“Having been brought up to care about others, it was a natural fit. It is challenging and exciting to create the conditions for improvement and see it happen. In neurofeedback treatment, the compelling motive for continuing what I do is: It works. I most enjoy seeing individuals who had little hope for improvement actually improve.
“I tend to take a relaxed, easygoing style, particularly with children. Too professional of a veneer tends to frighten kids, so I want to engage them in a friendly way. Aware of their difficulties, my staff and I approach our clients’ issues always with a smile and hope. I am genuinely concerned about my clients and convey strong empathy toward their problems.”
Board-Certified: Neurotherapist, Neurotherapy Certification Board
MBA: Keller Graduate School of Management, Chicago, IL
PhD: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
MA: U.S. International University, San Diego, CA
BA: Holy Cross, Chicago, IL
Affiliations: American Psychological Association, Association of Applied Psychophysiology & Biofeedback, Society for the Study of Neuronal Regulation & Research, EEG & Clinical Neuroscience Society, Society of Applied Neuroscience
Licensed Psychologist: State of Illinois
Our Staff of Highly Experienced Associates:
Jim Pattison (Des Plaines Office)
Neurofeedback Technician
I believe in a drug free style of treatment that is tailored directly to the neurological needs of my patients. What I love most about neurofeedback is how it can be tailored to any patient with any need. My passion is guiding your brain to unlock its full potential through regulation and repetition. When you work with me I will be helping you grow into the best you, you can be!
Jim has been in the field of neurofeedback since 2010 interning and hired by Dr. Elsa Baer. Jim continued to work with Dr. Baer for two years before going to the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign and received his bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2014. Since graduating Jim has been actively employed in the field of neurofeedback and has worked with a wide variety of patients seeking relief from symptoms, as well as peak performance training with many athletes and musicians. Jim has 14 years of experience assessing, training, and helping patients of all ages and backgrounds. Jim has been with Northwest Biofeedback center for 6 years.
Katya Zlatkova (Des Plaines Office)
M.S. Psychophysiology, QEEG-D, BCN-T
“Where neuroscience meets personal growth.”
I care deeply about human wellness and wellbeing. As an applied psychophysiologist, I guide individuals to restore, strengthen, and promote the connection between mind, body, and behavior. We all have the capacity to grow, change, and thrive. With the right tools and support, your brain can learn new patterns, and those changes extend into every part of your life. I’m dedicated to helping people manage stress, improve focus, and perform at their best, whether they’re experiencing anxiety, burnout, or working to sharpen their mental edge.
“Empowered minds. Healthier lives.”
I believe that when we care for the brain, we care for the whole person. My approach to wellbeing is based on selecting personalized, evidence-based neurointerventions, including QEEG-guided neurofeedback training, photobiomodulation (a light-based therapy that supports brain function and cellular energy), and other psychophysiological methods. Brain mapping (QEEG) is essential for providing insight into the physiological processes that underlie behavior, helping us better understand patterns related to focus, mood, stress, and self-regulation.
“Helping brains find their rhythm.”
Through brain training, people can learn to self-regulate, which leads to better mental clarity, emotional balance, and performance. Whether you’re dealing with daily stress and overwhelm, hoping to improve your focus and attention, or looking to achieve optimal performance, I’m here to guide you toward meaningful and measurable progress.
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Katya earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from DePaul University in Chicago, IL, graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors, and her Master of Science in Psychophysiology from Saybrook University in California.
She is a Board-Certified Neurofeedback Technician (BCN-T) with over a decade of experience providing neurofeedback services. Katya also holds a distinguished Quantitative EEG certification (QEEG-D), recognizing her expertise in interpreting EEG data and meeting rigorous standards of competence in the field.
Yana Ludena (Des Plaines Office)
You’ve probably heard the saying ,” You are what you eat”. I’m a certified Health and Wellness coach and have close to 30 years experience working with individuals navigating ADHD, Autism, Substances Abuse, Depression and Anxiety. I’ve seen just how deeply interconnected the body, brain and overall well-being truly are. True health is holistic. It’s not just about treating symptoms it’s about creating balance and vitality from the inside out. The way we nourish ourselves through whole foods, daily movement, restful sleep, stress management, and meaningful self-care shapes not only our physical health, but also our emotional and mental resilience. That’s where neurofeedback fits in. It’s a powerful tool that helps retrain the brain’s responses to improve regulation, clarity, and calm. But real transformation happens when we pair this with the right support of nutrient rich food, a balanced lifestyle, and mindful wellness practices that feed both body and mind. My passion is to help you find a better way to feed your body and mind for optimal performance so you can live with greater energy, clarity, and confidence every day.
The goal isn’t just to feel better temporarily, it’s to foster lasting, biological change in the brain that helps you feel more focused, grounded, and empowered in your everyday life.
You deserve to thrive mentally, emotionally, and physically! And yes, healing and sustainable change are absolutely possible.
Discover where you are and where you can go with a free 30 minute Health and Wellness assessment →