Cassel Research Centre

Work is therapeutic says Cassel Research Centre founder Dr Brian Costello. “When enjoyable and appropriately suited, even hard work becomes play” he says.

Dr Costello was recognised as a world authority on the use of computerized assessment and biofeedback, with his own career path highlighting career interest and motivation. “People can achieve almost anything if they are interested enough. This also applies to recovery from illnesses” he says.

Cassel Research Center started publishing in 1987. Dr Costello consults with patients internationally by phone and internet. He specializes in New Pain Control Thought Stopping Techniques that he developed 1998 -2006 Personal breakthroughs in pain control and Mind/Body Medicine contributing as his own doctor were used to combat esophageal cancer (biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma) and Congestive Heart Disease in 2004 to develop leading edge supplement treatment for mainstream medicine and rehabilitation techniques. This is NOT alternative medicine. Originally Brian’s work since 1979 focused on using computerized biofeedback techniques to develop tests of personality and careers, based on Leon Festinger’s concept of cognitive dissonance (Stanford 1957).

Biofeedback involves connecting a person to a computer that records four types of physiological responses: muscle tension, skin response, finger temperature and pulse rate. Images are flashed in front of the subject, who rates them from one to 10. The physiological responses are recorded and correlated with responses to a questionnaire.

The method was developed by Dr Costello and his mentor Dr Russell N Cassel. It was applied to career guidance, but in BRW Cassel believed it could be used to analyse the potential productivity of workers, and the appropriateness of their career positions. “We are able to predict absenteeism or hypochondria,” Cassel said. “Fifty per cent of people are in the wrong job and this allows people to get into the right jobs so there is enjoyment of your vocation.”

Dr Costello says the biofeedback results are considered valuable if the different indicators produce uniform results. He explained the method he and Cassel developed was a breakthrough in providing such uniformity. “From a statistical point of view, this is about as close as one can get,” Cassel said. “We are not only using inkblots anymore.”