6 Hours / 6 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Cognitive Neuroscientific Approaches to Enhancing Training is presented by Itiel E. Dror, PhD, in partnership with Cognitive Consultants International-HQ.

This program focuses on specific ways in which training can be enhanced through technology aligned with cognitive neuroscience. 

This program begins with providing foundational knowledge regarding the general principles and mechanisms of human cognition, including how the brain processes information, how information processing is at the core of training and learning, and specific issues related to information processing, such as knowledge representation, encoding, and retrieval of information, knowledge utilization, depth of processing, and allocation of resources. 

Next, the architectural constraints in cognition are described, including limits in information processing load, malfunctions, and the lack of control. Finally, a discussion of domain applications connects the foundational knowledge and architectural constraints to various cognitive domains relevant to training and learning, including problem-solving, memory, skill acquisition, cognitive flexibility, visual cognition, and expertise.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe foundational information about the human cognitive system
  • 2 Describe how information and knowledge is acquired, processed, represented, encoded, stored, utilized, and retrieved
  • 3 Describe how cognitive processing can be used to make learning more efficient
  • 4 Describe the pitfalls and errors that can occur during information processing
  • 5 Describe techniques for improving retrieval and utilization of information

  • Intended Audience

    This training is intended for mental health and allied professionals who want to enhance their understanding of how cognitive neuroscience principles can inform training, learning, and clinical practice. It is suitable for those specializing in clinical psychology, educational psychology, cognitive assessment, skill development, applied learning strategies, and related fields.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:
    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Clinical psychologists
    • Educational psychologists
    • Counselors and therapists
    • Allied mental health professionals (e.g., social workers, occupational therapists)
    • Professionals involved in cognitive assessment and intervention
    • Educators and trainers in mental health or related fields
    • Researchers in psychology, neuroscience, or education

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of experience with cognitive neuroscience and technology-enhanced training.

    • Beginner: Participants new to cognitive neuroscience or technology in training will gain foundational knowledge about human cognition, information processing, and basic training implications.

    • Intermediate: Participants with some familiarity will deepen their understanding of cognitive mechanisms, architectural constraints, and apply these concepts to specific domains such as memory, problem-solving, and skill acquisition.

    • Advanced: Participants with extensive experience will integrate advanced cognitive neuroscience principles to critically evaluate and enhance training design, implementation, and evaluation across diverse learning contexts.

  • Practice Setting

    Practice occurs in clinically and educationally oriented environments where licensed and pre-licensed practitioners design and deliver assessment, therapy, and technology-enhanced training grounded in cognitive neuroscience. Work spans client care, instruction, and applied research contexts that leverage principles of information processing and cognitive architecture to improve learning and clinical outcomes.

    Examples of Practice Settings:
    • Outpatient mental health clinics and private practices
    • Hospital and integrated behavioral health services
    • School-based services and university counseling/training centers
    • Neuropsychology and cognitive assessment centers
    • Rehabilitation and occupational therapy programs
    • Community mental health agencies and nonprofits
    • Telehealth and digital mental health platforms
    • Corporate learning and development or workforce training programs
    • Research labs and applied neuroscience centers
    • Government/public health training and education initiatives
Presented By

Itiel Dror, PhD

Dr. Itiel Dror is a cognitive neuroscientist who received his Ph.D. at Harvard (1994) in the area of cognitive factors in human expert performance. Since his Ph.D. over twenty years ago, Dr. Dror has been researching this area, and has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles specifically looking at cognitive factors that mediate human expert performance. His insights and understanding of the human brain and cognitive system underpin the workshop. Without such deep knowledge, it is not possible to properly deliver a workshop on the ‘cognitive factors’. Dr. Dror has been working in the forensic domain for over a decade. In fact, he is the person who introduced the human and cognitive factors to the forensic community and has made this issue central in forensic science.

Over the last decade Dr. Dror has worked with a variety of forensic laboratories across the US, in which he has visited and shadowed examiners doing casework, reviewed SOPs and practices. Dr. Dror was the Chair of the OSAC Human Factor group (the new ‘SWGs’ organized under NIST/NIJ), which is responsible for the cognitive factor issues across all the OSAC forensic domains. The National Commission on Forensic Science has recognized Dr. Dror as the leader in this area and has asked him to present to the commission (as well as appointed him to their Human Factors subcommittee), as well as many other forensic bodies who have solicited Dr. Dror. The recommendations on cognitive and human factors of the NCFS and the NAS report, and other bodies is mainly based on the research of Dr. Dror. He is also a member of the AAAS (The American Association for the Advancement of Science) Advisory Committee on Forensic Science Assessment (a project in which the AAAS will conduct an analysis of the underlying scientific bases for the forensic tools and methods currently used).

Dr. Itiel Dror has a proven track record in successfully delivering workshops, specifically on ‘Cognitive Factors in Making Forensic Comparisons’, to dozens of forensic laboratories. He is the only person who has the combined cognitive and forensic expertise to deliver this training. His workshops on this specific issue have been delivered with great success to the FBI, LAPD, NYPD, SFPD, Boston PD, Kansas, and many other forensic laboratories across the US.

As the world leader in this area, Dr. Dror has also been commissioned to deliver this workshop in a variety of countries across the world (Australia, Finland, the Netherlands, Italy, Canada, as well as other countries –not to mention numerous police forces the UK). The success of his workshops and his training in this area has been recognized by the professional bodies: Dr. Dror has received the ABP Annual Award for 'Excellence in Training' for his workshops on cognitive factors in making forensic comparisons. The purpose of the award is to recognize excellence in demonstrating how applying an understanding of the science of human behaviour can impact and deliver practical value to organizations. The judges commented that Dr. Dror's workshops are: "Truly outstanding and inspiring", "A highly rigorous application of relevant theoretical frameworks", "Truly innovative, breaking entirely new ground in a most challenging context", "Internationally ground-breaking impact already being used around the world", "Entirely focused on application of conceptual models – underpinned by deep research", and "Impact is highly impressive".

Training Outline
Key topics covered in this training include:

Background knowledge covers general principles and mechanisms of human cognition. These issues include:

  1. The human brain and how that translates to how we process information.
  2. How information processing underlies all aspects of training and learning.


Specific issues in information processing, such as:

  1. Knowledge representation.
  2. Encoding and retrieving information.
  3. Utilizing knowledge (e.g., knowing what vs. knowing how).
  4. Depth of processing
  5. Allocation of resources


Architectural constraints in cognition, including:

  1. Limits in information processing load.
  2. Malfunctions.
  3. Lack of control.


Domain application connects the above (1) to a variety of cognitive domains, which include:

  1. Problem-solving
  2. Memory
  3. Skill acquisition
  4. Cognitive flexibility
  5. Expertise
  6. Visual cognition
We are proud to partner with

Cognitive Consultants International

Cognitive Consultants International

Cognitive Consultants International (CCI-HQ) specializes in taking a cognitive neuro-scientific approach to applied real-world consultancy and research. In a nutshell, that means that we apply our knowledge and understanding of the human brain and cognitive system to resolve practical problems and human factors issues in the real world.

We are proud to partner with Cognitive Consultants International for live and on-demand event training programs.

Learn More About Our Partner

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).


Sponsorship Approval Statements

Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7190. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Palo Alto University, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Palo Alto University maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits. Continuing and Professional Studies, Palo Alto University, is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0103. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT), is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0356. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies, is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0073.