Dr. Sam Berne Box 458 Tesuque, NM, 87574 Phone: 505 469-4949 E-Mail: [email protected] www.Dr.SamBerne.com
Dr. Berne has been a thought leader in the field of Behavioral/Holistic Optometry and Vision Therapy for over thirty years. He is an internationally-known author, researcher, facilitator, and teacher who uses a multidisciplinary approach applying a diverse variety of disciplines some of which include vision therapy, child development, nutrition, traumatic-brain-injury, somatic continuum movement, medicinal essential oils, craniosacral therapy, dolphin-assisted therapy, and color therapy biofield analysis, with respect to expanding human potential.
Dr. Berne has taught workshops and retreats in the Bahamas, Hawaii, the mainland U.S., Mexico, Canada, Denmark, Austria, and Russia. He is on the faculty at The Esalen Institute in Big Sur, CA, where he leads retreats on holistic optometry, continuum, color therapy, medicinal aromatherapy, and whole health.
Via his successful private practice in Santa Fe, New Mexico, he developed innovative methods for healing the mind-body-spirit through eye therapy. His revolutionary Developmental Learning Program (DLP) provides individuals with natural alternatives for improving vision and overall health. Dr. Berne offers a holistic method that helps children with a variety of developmental delays from autism to Attention Deficit Disorder. DLP uses primitive reflex therapy, movement therapy, vision therapy, light/color therapy, craniosacral therapy and nutritional counseling to aid patients with neurological problems.
Dr. Berne has promoted his unconventional philosophy of “throwing out labels, letting go of cookbook solutions and treating patients from the present forward.” Opposed to measuring a patient’s problems based on only mainstream ideas, Dr. Berne has historically treated patients on a case-by-case basis.
Throughout his career, Dr. Berne has written four insightful books and produced a DVD on autism. His first book, Creating Your Personal Vision, was a huge success and its publication led to multiple broadcast interviews in New York and Los Angeles as well as nationally syndicated radio shows.
Dr. Berne teaches an extensive number of professional workshops in fields from Holistic Vision Therapy, Primitive Reflex Movement Therapy, Helping Traumatic Brain-Injured Patients, ADD-Autism, Light Therapy and Subtle Energies. He lectures as a visiting teacher at venues including The International Society For The Study of Subtle Energies and Energy Medicine (ISSSEEM), and The Science, Information, and Spirit Conference in Saint Petersburg, Russia with curriculums geared toward cutting edge ideas, human potential and applied spirituality, and Electrophotonic Imaging. He leads weekend retreats devoted to Vision Therapy and Electrophotonic Imaging, a process that opens one’s consciousness and healing through the measurement of the body’s energy fields and the use of a variety of eye-vision- brain techniques which incorporate sound, breathe, movement and light/color to help change one’s consciousness.
Boasting an international following, Dr. Berne is often asked to lead his holistic health/vision retreats in cities ranging from Kona, Hawaii to Bimini, Bahamas where special needs children and their families have the opportunity to swim with Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins and/or the Atlantic Spotted Wild Dolphins and have access to treatment. He is presently researching the effects dolphin assisted therapies have on our wellness.
With a love of learning since a young age, Dr. Berne earned his Bachelor of Science from Pennsylvania State University. He then went on to medical school at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry, where in his fourth year he explored his interest in vision therapy by interning at a prestigious practice in San Diego. His eye-opening (no pun intended) experience in Southern California shed light on the momentous impact that vision therapy proved to have on people’s lives, sparking a new passion and career pursuit.
After optometry school, Dr. Berne enrolled at the Yale Child Development Center at the Gesell Institute in New Haven, Connecticut. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Infant/Child Development in which he studied multi-disciplinary approaches to help adults and children with a variety of learning, behavioral and developmental problems. Two years later, Dr. Berne met behavioral optometrist, Dr. Albert Shankman, who not only became his mentor but completely reversed his own nearsightedness using an approach of holistic vision. As a patient experiencing the gradual improvement in his vision, Dr. Berne discovered mind- body-spirit processes of healing to be more effective than mechanical eye exercises. After years of extensive research, personal experience and observing and interacting with patients, Dr. Berne found holistic vision therapy to be his calling.
Dr. Berne takes pride in having earned Special Awards for Service from the Behavioral Optometrists in Mexico for providing many of his innovative holistic ideas to help children. In addition to lecturing and healing, Dr. Berne enjoys giving back to the community by opening up his private observatory to teach children and adults about astronomy. He jumps at the opportunity to share his knowledge of stars to spark the imagination of others. Dr. Berne volunteers for local organizations where help is most needed, notably he regularly serves food at a local homeless shelter in Santa Fe.
Dr. Berne is a warm, compassionate, problem-solver who always strives for creative answers. Working tirelessly to understand the specific condition and needs of each of his patients, he offers honest and reassuring answers to their questions. For the last twenty-five years, Dr. Berne’s genuine care and personal interest in helping others has driven him to unconventionally heal the mind-body-spirit through the eyes. He is licensed to practice Behavioral Optometry in Hawaii, New Mexico, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania
Work Status: Faculty Member The Esalen Institute Legacy Program, Work study Program, and Public Workshop Facilitator on Whole Health Optometry
Private Practices: Behavioral Neurodevelopmental Optometry and Vision Therapy, Santa Fe, NM 1992 - present Staff Optometrist Indian Health Service, Santa Clara, NM 1991 - 1992 Behavioral Optometry and Vision Therapy, Newton Square, PA 1985 - 1990
PUBLICATIONS:
Treating The Whole Child: Join the ASD to ADD Revolution, Colorstone Press, 2016
Taking It In How Better Digestion Can Offer A New Path, Colorstone Press, 2015
I Sense: At Play in The Field of Healing; Colorstone Press, April 2014
Vision Energetics and Subtle Energies DVD Format Documentary, Filmed in New York, Release date November 2011
Vision Therapy and Energy Fields—DVD Lecture, The Esalen Institute, Recorded January 2011
Creating Your Personal Vision: "A Mind-Body Guide for Better Eyesight" Colorstone Press; September, 1994, New Edition June 2011 ISBN# 0-9641599-3-7.
Envisioning A Bright Future: Interventions that Work For Autism, Patricia Lemer, Editor, Chapter 8 written by Dr. Berne., OEP Foundation Publishing, July 2008
Another Vision: Sustaining The Earth for the Future,, World Wide Publishing, March 2007
The Without Ritalin Nutrition Book, Colorstone Press, March 2007
ADD To Autism: Reaching Your Child’s Potential, Naturally; Colorstone Press; February 2005 DVD Format
Without Ritalin: A Natural Approach to ADD; McGraw-Hill--Keats Publishing, August, 2001.
Vision Learning and Occupational Therapy: A Multidisciplinary Approach; Colorstone Press, January, 2001.
ARTICLES:
“The Science of Measuring Wellness”. JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL OPTOMETRY, Publishing date: 2011
“Electrophotonic Imaging”, JOURNAL OF OPTOMETRIC PHOTOTHERAPY, March 2010
“The Primitive Reflexes: Considerations in the Infant”, JOURNAL OF OPTOMETRIC VISION DEVELOPMENT, Fall of 2006, Volume 37, Number 3.
“The Primitive Survival Reflexes,” JOURNAL OF OPTOMETRIC VISION DEVELOPMENT. Summer 2003, Volume 34, Number 2.
"Protocol for the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration for Optometrists and Vision Therapy Assistants" - WORKING WITH SENIORS: Optometric Extension Program; 1998, Volume 39, Number 2.
"Keep Your Vision Therapy Practice Out of Managed Care" - JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL OPTOMETRY; January, 1997.
"Visual Therapy for the Traumatic Brain-Injured" - JOURNAL OF OPTOMETRIC DEVELOPMENT; December, 1990.
"Starting a Vision Therapy Practice" - OPTOMETRIC MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE; August, 1989.
VIDEOS:
The Art of Healing: A television interview with Dr. Berne; 1994. Natural Vision Improvement Symposium; Hilo, Hawaii, 1995.
AUDIOS:
Vision Development and ADD: A lecture by Dr. Berne, March, 2000.
Creating Your Personal Vision: "A Mind-Body Guide for Better Eyesight" Two cassette tapes read by Dr. Berne: Colorstone Press; ISBN# 0-9641599-7-X.
A Holistic Approach to the Medical Model of Vision: A lecture by Dr. Berne, October, 1994.
Vision, Light Therapy and Optometry: A lecture by Dr. Berne, October, 1994.
MEDIA APPEARANCES AND LECTURES:
“Research Effect of Dolphins on The Human Biofield Using GDV Analysis, presentation at GDV Conference St. Petersburg Russia, July1-3, 2011
“Holistic Vision Therapy”, ISSSEEM CONFERENCE, June 26, 2011
Faculty member: Timshel Retreat Center,(Visiting Teacher) , Montrose, PA, 2010-2011
Faculty member: The Esalen Institute( Visiting Teacher Program for Staff, and Public Programs: Vision Therapy and Energy Fields,), Big Sur, CA 2009-2011
Annual Wellness/Dolphin Retreat Kona, Hawaii October 2010
Interview on the World Puja Network: A.D.D. to Autism, Radio interview April 2010
Frontiers and Explorations in Science of Measuring Energy Fields, seminar taught by Dr. Konstantin Korotkov and Dr. Samuel Berne, March 28-29, 2009, Southwestern College, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Creating Your Personal Vision—Lecture to the students: Southwest Acupuncture School, December 3rd, 2008, Santa Fe, New Mexico
“Holistic Vision & Learning: Level 1,” November 12-14th, 2008, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
“Vision and Spirituality Conference October 3-5th, 2008, Bodhi Manda Retreat Center, Jemez, New Mexico
Bahamas Vision Retreat with Daily Supported Dolphin Swim, September 6-13, 2008, Bimini, Bahamas
Creating Your Personal Vision: Transformation and Healing Conference, Southwestern College, Santa Fe New Mexico, Friday August 22nd, 2008
Energy Medicine, June 9th, 2008, Skive Denmark
Holistic Vision Care for Developmental/Learning Disabilities September 28-30, 2007, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Light and Vision Workshop, June 25, 2007 , Skive, Denmark
Bahamas Vision Retreat with Daily Supported Dolphin Swim, May 13-19, 2007, Bimini, Bahamas
Holistic Vision and Learning: Mexico Optometric Congress, September 25th, 2006, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Developmental Learning Program Level 2 Practitioner Training, August 8-12th, 2006, Santa Fe, NM
Developmental Learning Program Level 1 Practitioner Training, June 24th-27th, 2006, Santa Fe, NM
“ Vision and Learning” The Autism One Conference, May 27, 2006, Chicago, Illinois.
“The Primitive Reflex Integration Program,” Neuro-Rehabilitation Optometric Association, March 25, 2006, Tucson, Arizona.
“The Dynamics of the Mind-Body Loop,” Great Lakes Congress, , March 6th, 2006, Chicago, Illinois
“Holistic Vision & Learning: Level 2,” November 9-11th, 2005, Tampico, Mexico.
“Cranial Sacral Therapy, Vision, and Syntonics,” 73rd Annual Syntonics Meeting, May 7-12th, 2005, Santa Fe, NM.
“Vision, Learning, and AD/HD,” April 7-10th, 2005, Tampico, Mexico.
“Holistic Health: Vision & Learning Development,” March 7-10th, 2004, Leon, Mexico.
“Sage for Health,” KUNM Radio Guest Speaker, November 17, 2003.
“Holistic Vision Care and Neurodevelopmental Delays”: The Robert Golden Optometric Seminar, August 7-8, 2003, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
“Sage for Health,” KUNM Radio Guest Speaker, July 13, 2003.
“Vision Rehabilitation and Occupational Therapy”: Northeast Occupational Therapy Associates, March 15-16, 2003, Albany, New York.
“Vision Therapy and the Primitive Reflexes”, Eastern States Optometric Congress, May 5-7, 2002
"Without Ritalin: A Holistic Approach", Mexico Meeting for Optometrists and Vision Therapists, Guadalajara, Mexico, January 17-20, 2002
"Vision and the Primitive Reflexes: Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl, October 18, 2001
" Vision and Learning for Occupational Therapists", Hilton Head, SC, June 17-18, 2001
"Vision, Learning and the Primitive Reflexes", Santa Fe, NM May 25-26, 2001 "South West Conference for Optometrists an OEP Conference" San Antonio, TX, February 8- 10, 2001
"Vision, Learning, and Occupational Therapy-A Multidisciplinary Approach", Santa Fe, NM January 13-14,2001
"Vestibular Insufficiency Syndrome:" The Skeffington Symposium, Washington, DC, January, 2000.
Presentation at Syntonics Meeting: Washington, DC; April, 1999.
"Cultivating a Successful Vision Therapy Practice Outside of the Managed Care System" - Presentation at Neuro Optometric Rehabilitation Association Meeting: Ft. Lauderdale, FL; May, 1998.
Presentation on Vision Therapy: SYNTONICS ANNUAL MEETING; May, 1994. Guest on Channel 9 News: Albany, New York, TV News Magazine on ADD and Learning.” Guest on “Here’s To Your Health” nationally syndicated radio show Guest on "Alive and Wellness" National Television Show CNBC: New York, NY; August, 1995. The Gary Null Show WBAI: New York, NY; December 1994. The Gary Null Show WBAI: New York, NY; August, 1995. WALE Radio Show Station: Providence, RI; September, 1995. The WAVE Radio Station: Los Angeles, CA; February, 1995. KUNM Radio Station - Catalina Reyes Call-In Show: Albuquerque, NM; April, 1995. KIOT Radio Show - Alan Hutner’s Call-In Show: Santa Fe, NM; May, 1995. Bodhi Bookstore: Los Angeles, CA; Lecture and Book Signing, February, 1995. The New York Open Center: New York, NY; Lecture and Book Signing, December, 1994.
EDUCATION
Wellness Practitioner, The Continuum Process, Somatic movement, breath, and sound, pending 2012
GDV Level 2 and 3 Certification, (July 2011), St. Petersburg, Russia with Kirlionics Technical Institute
Electrophotonic Imaging: with Dr. Konstantin Korotkov and Krishna Madappa, Santa Fe, New Mexico 2009-2010
Aromatherapy Certification: Wisdom of the Earth Essential Oils, Nambe, New Mexico 2009 and 2011
Ecopsychology Course on Shamanism, Southwestern College, Santa Fe, NM October- December, 2008
SER 2 The Upledger Institute, December 5-8, 2006
Shamanic Healing and Journeying Course, Sedona Heartwalk Center, Sedona, Arizona, October 2006
“Observing the Behavior of Wolves” The Yellowstone Foundation, Yellowstone National Park, August 25th-27th, 2006
Craniosacral for Pediatrics, The Upledger Institute, June 14-18, 2006
SER 1, The Upledger Institute, April 6-9, 2006
Cranial Sacral Certification Course, April-August, 2005; The New Mexico Academy of Healing Arts.
CranioSacral Therapy I and II The Upledger Institute, November 11-14, 2004; January 6-9, 2005.
"Primitive Reflex Therapy As It Relates To Vision", taught by Scandanavian Drs.Lena Thorkild Rasmussen, Washington DC ,Miami, FL, Nov-Jan 1999-2000, and October 2002, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Dr. Sydele Feldman: Therapeutic Touch Certification; April 26-27, 1997.
Parcells Center for Scientific Living; 1993-1995.
The Pennsylvania College of Optometry: Ocular Therapeutics Certification; 1990.
The Gesell Institute: New Haven, CT; "Vision, and the School-Aged Child" 1985.
The Pennsylvania College of Optometry: Philadelphia , PA; Doctor of Optometry Degree, 1984.
The Pennsylvania State University State College: B. S. Degree; 1979.