3 Hours / 3 CEs

On Demand | Self-Paced Professional Training

This on-demand professional training program on Psychoneuroimmunology through a Behavioral Health Lens is presented by Jerrod Brown, PhD. 

This badge-earning program can be shared digitally on platforms like LinkedIn or your resume and counts towards a certificate. Enroll in this program to earn credit towards the Integrated Behavioral Health Certificate and share your new digital credentials with prospective employers and colleagues.

Emerging in the 1980s, psychoneuroimmunology explores the role of interactions between the mind and neurology, endocrinology, and immunology. This new interdisciplinary field is focused on the interconnectivity of the brain and body along with the influence of each on physical and mental health. Work in this field has advanced our understanding of the brain’s effect on the immune system and vice versa. For instance, research has offered insight into the manifestation and severity of physical (e.g., cardiovascular disease and chronic pain) and mental (e.g., depression and anxiety) health issues. 

Developed for professionals working in mental health settings, this program is designed to increase awareness of the field of psychoneuroimmunology through a behavioral health lens and the promise it holds in improving outcomes for clients. Topics covered will include trauma, toxic stress, sleep, somatic health complaints, chronic low-grade inflammation, HPA axis dysfunction, psychopathology, and screening and intervention considerations to name a few. Practical tips, strategies, and solutions will be shared throughout this training with the goal of improving screening, goal planning, and intervention practices. Empirically-based research findings will be highlighted throughout this training.

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe psychoneuroimmunology and other related topics
  • 2 Describe how psychoneuroimmunology can help professionals better understand the causes and trajectories of physical and mental health problems
  • 3 Describe the potential role of psychoneuroimmunology in the screening and intervention of clients receiving services from behavioral health care providers
  • 4 Describe cutting-edge research findings and directions for future research in psychoneuroimmunology with a particular focus on behavioral health care populations

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for professionals working in mental health settings who want to deepen their understanding of the connections between the brain, immune system, and overall health. It is particularly relevant for those specializing in behavioral health, clinical psychology, counseling, psychoneuroimmunology, and integrative approaches to mental and physical health.

    Examples of Relevant Professionals:

    • Mental Health Professionals
    • Psychologists (clinical, counseling, health, and research)
    • Social Workers (clinical and community-based)
    • Counselors (mental health, school, and rehabilitation)
    • Behavioral Health Specialists
    • Professionals in Psychoneuroimmunology
    • Integrative Health Practitioners
    • Researchers in Mental and Physical Health Fields
    • Healthcare Providers in Mental Health

  • Experience Level

    This training is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals at various stages of familiarity with psychoneuroimmunology and its application in behavioral health care.

    • Beginner: Participants new to psychoneuroimmunology or with limited exposure to its concepts and relevance in mental health practice.

    • Intermediate: Participants with foundational knowledge of psychoneuroimmunology who are seeking to deepen their understanding and integrate emerging research into clinical assessment and intervention.

    • Advanced: Participants with substantial experience or prior training in psychoneuroimmunology who are interested in exploring advanced applications, research directions, and leadership in integrating these concepts into behavioral health care.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals practice in interdisciplinary behavioral health and integrative care environments—ranging from outpatient clinics and hospital programs to community agencies, university clinics, and virtual care—where mental and physical health services are coordinated. These settings emphasize evidence-based, psychoneuroimmunology-informed assessment and intervention, close collaboration with medical teams, and trauma- and culture-responsive care for clients with stress-related, somatic, and chronic conditions.

    Examples of Practice Settings:

    • Community mental health centers
    • Hospital behavioral medicine and consult-liaison services
    • Integrated primary care and collaborative care clinics
    • Private and group practices
    • University clinics and research centers
    • Rehabilitation, pain management, and oncology clinics
    • School-based counseling and student wellness centers
    • Telehealth/virtual behavioral health programs
Presented By

Jerrod Brown, PhD

Jerrod Brown, Ph.D., M.A., M.S., M.S., M.S., is a professor, trainer, researcher, and consultant with multiple years of experience teaching collegiate courses. Jerrod is also the founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). Jerrod has also provided consultation services to a number of caregivers, professionals, and organizations pertaining to topics related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma, and other life adversities, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed four separate master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in Neuropsychology, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Other Health Disabilities (OHD), and Traumatic-Brain Injuries (TBI). Jerrod has also conducted over 200 workshops, webinars, and on-demand training for various organizations and professional and student audiences. In 2021, Jerrod completed a post-doctoral certificate in Leadership and Organizational Strategy from Walden University and a Professional Certificate in Forensic Psychology from San Diego State University Global Campus. Currently, Jerrod is pursuing a graduate certificate in Neuroscience and Law from Michigan State University. Jerrod has published several articles and book chapters and recently co-edited the book Forensic Mental Health: A Source Guide for Professionals (Brown & Weinkauf, 2018) with Erv Weinkauf. Jerrod is also regularly featured on several national and international podcast programs. 


Jerrod has also completed specialized trainings and certifications in the following areas: 

Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor (CFNC) through Functional Nutrition Alliance 

Integrative Adult Sleep Coach Certification Program. A 12-month, in-depth, comprehensive training program 

Certificate in Traumatic Stress Studies. A 7-month online post-graduate training program 

Certified Neurodiversity Professional 

Professional Certification in Trauma & Resilience: Level One 

Certified Kid’s Nutrition Specialist 

Certification as a Tobacco Treatment Specialist through Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center Rochester, Minnesota 

Brain Health Coaching Certification Course 

Certified Digestive Health Specialist through the Institute of Transformational Nutrition 

Gut Health Specialist Certification 

Stress and Mindset Coach Certification 

Holistic Health Coach Certification 

Certified Sleep Science Coach

Earning a Certificate

This is a badge-earning program, which means it will help you earn a certificate that can be showcased on digital platforms like LinkedIn.
View Certificates

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.