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 designed 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 ideal for those specializing in clinical psychology, educational psychology, cognitive assessment, skill development, and applied learning strategies.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Clinical psychologist
    • Educational psychologist
    • Counselor or therapist
    • Allied mental health professional (e.g., social worker, occupational therapist)
    • Professional involved in cognitive assessment and intervention
    • Educator or trainer in mental health or related fields
    • Researcher in psychology, neuroscience, or education
  • Experience Level

    This program is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at all experience levels seeking to enhance their understanding of cognitive neuroscience principles and their application to training.

    • Beginner: New to cognitive neuroscience concepts; seeking foundational knowledge about human cognition, information processing, and basic training implications.
    • Intermediate: Familiar with general cognitive principles; interested in applying cognitive neuroscience to specific domains such as memory, problem-solving, and skill acquisition.
    • Advanced: Experienced in integrating cognitive neuroscience with training; seeking to deepen expertise in domain applications, address architectural constraints, and implement advanced strategies for optimizing learning and training outcomes.
  • Practice Setting

    Practice settings for professionals attending this training are diverse, typically involving environments where mental health, education, and cognitive assessment intersect. These professionals often work in clinical, educational, research, or community-based settings, where they assess, support, and enhance cognitive and emotional functioning. Their environments are designed to facilitate learning, skill development, and therapeutic interventions, often incorporating technology and evidence-based practices informed by cognitive neuroscience. Examples of practice settings:

    • Outpatient mental health clinics and private practices
    • Hospitals and integrated healthcare systems
    • School-based counseling or educational psychology departments
    • University research labs focused on psychology, neuroscience, or education
    • Rehabilitation centers (e.g., neuropsychological or occupational therapy)
    • Community mental health agencies
    • Corporate or organizational training and development programs
    • Specialized assessment centers for cognitive or learning evaluations

Presented By

Itiel E. Dror, PhD, Cognitive Neuroscientist

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".

View More Programs from this Presenter
Itiel E.  Dror, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • The program covers a variety of issues. Each will cover three different, intertwined aspects:

    • Background knowledge
    • Domain application
    • Training implications
  • The human brain and how that translates to how we process information

    • How information processing underlies all aspects of training and learning
    • Specific issues in information processing, such as:
      • Knowledge representation
      • Encoding and retrieving information
      • Utilizing knowledge (e.g., knowing what vs. knowing how)
      • Depth of processing
      • Allocation of resources
    • Architectural constraints in cognition, including:
      • Limits in information processing load
      • Malfunctions
      • Lack of control

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

    • Problem-solving
    • Memory
    • Skill acquisition
    • Cognitive flexibility
    • Expertise
    • Visual cognition

  • Training implications tie in both of the above (1 & 2) to specific issues in training. In addition to specific ways to enhance training (design, evaluation, etc.), the program tries to provide more in-depth tools to the participants. Such tools accompany the participants in the future and enable them to enhance and enrich their training abilities.

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.

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).



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) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. 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), SW CPE 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 and 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. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #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. CONCEPT Professional Training 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.