Paul Hyman: Authority in Neuroplasticity, Wellness, and Trauma-Informed Practices

Paul Hyman is a globally recognized wellness and lifestyle consultant with over 25 years of expertise in mind-body techniques for cognitive stimulation and holistic wellness, grounded in neuroscience research. He collaborates internationally with professionals to implement these methodologies and serves as a guest lecturer and keynote speaker on resilience, performance optimization, and trauma recovery.

His clinical background includes a decade as a therapist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), where he contributed to therapeutic innovations in mental health and addiction treatment. Hyman's commitment to performance excellence originated during his 15-year tenure as a professional trombonist, performing with prominent entertainers, in television and film productions, and as a member of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra for nine years. He also instructed at Hong Kong University and the Academy for the Performing Arts, bridging artistic expression with therapeutic applications.

Hyman pioneered Canada's first Brain Fitness Program for older adults, fostering cognitive vitality and neuroplasticity. He co-authored CAMH's influential publication Becoming Trauma Informed and has published peer-reviewed research on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD) and substance use disorders. His distinguished service earned him CAMH's Nath Nayar Award for Outstanding Contribution and Service. He holds a postgraduate qualification in wellness and lifestyle counseling, along with certifications as a YMCA Life Skills Coach, Personality Dimensions® Facilitator, Trager® Practitioner, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner, Body-Centered Therapist, Touch for Health Instructor, Edu-K and Brain Gym® Instructor, Bereavement Facilitator, Trauma Specialist and Instructor, Trainer in Prevention and Management of Aggressive Behaviour (PMAB), NADA-certified acupuncturist, Specialist in Accelerated Learning, and Clinical Hypnosis practitioner.

Integrating diverse modalities—such as mindfulness, conscious breathing techniques, and Reiki mastery—Hyman employs an experiential, engaging pedagogical approach, augmented by innovative teaching aids, to cultivate memorable and sustainable learning experiences that promote lifelong wellness.

Dedicated to community empowerment, particularly in the post-COVID era, Hyman has designed and delivered training programs for organizations including the Alzheimer Society, Acquired Brain Injury Association, Toronto Family Services, Toronto District School Board, Peel District School Board, Hincks-Dellcrest Centre’s Trauma Program, Interval House (Canada's inaugural shelter for women and children affected by domestic violence), Princess Margaret Hospital, and Grace Hospital’s Palliative Care unit. Notably, he trained 1,700 staff and managers in resiliency and self-care for Toronto Employment and Social Services (TESS). A cornerstone of his work is Indigenous community development in Northwestern Ontario and Northern Canada through the Together Everyone Accomplishes More (TEAM) initiative.

Hyman's philosophy centers on empowering individuals across varying physical and cognitive abilities to thrive in dynamic environments. He offers virtual private sessions, consultations, professional training, and presentations to advance personal and organizational resilience.

• Sensory Integration Therapist, Specializing in Children with Special Needs

• Stroke & Brain Injury Recovery Specialist

• Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist, NADA Certified

• Licensed Brain Gym® Consultant/Instructor

• Bal-A-Vis-X®, Levels 1, 2, 3

• Rhythmic Movements, Levels 1, 2

• Licensed TRAGER® Practitioner, Neuromuscular Movement Re-education

• Certified Touch For Health Instructor

• Body-Centred Therapist, Hendricks® Approach

• Transformational Breath Work Practitioner

• Reiki Master

• Accredited Trainer of Musculoskeletal Injury Prevention Program ("MIPP")

• Repetitive Strain Injury Specialist

• Certified Autism Caregiver Specialist

• Certified Standard First Aid

• C.P.R. Certified

• Stress Management Therapist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: 10 years

• Certified and Registered Hypnotherapist

• Grief & Bereavement Facilitator

• Time Line Therapy™ Practitioner

• “Stress Map®” Facilitator

• Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner

• Recreation Therapist, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health: 10 years

• Wellness/Lifestyle Coach, Post-graduate Wellness & Lifestyle Program

• Certified Y.W.C.A. Life Skills Coach

• Personality Dimensions® Facilitator: “True Colors®”,

• Hendricks Conscious Relationship Transformation Facilitator

• “SurviAbility®” Facilitator, Career Strategies for the New World of Work

• Mindcamp, Canada’s Creativity Conference, Orillia, ON

• Brain Gym for Educators, Inuvik, NT

• Activity Professionals of Ontario, APO

• 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th International Sensory Therapy Conference

• Northeast Ohio Accelerated Learning & the International Alliance for Learning

• 34th, 35th International Accelerated Learning Conference, Houston, Texas

• Bloorview Kids’ Rehab Conference, “Building Skills for Participating in the Adult World”

• Peel School District Admin./Teachers, Board of Education, Ontario, Canada

• Toronto District School Board, Approved Continuing Education Provider

• The Ontario Association for Municipal Employment Services Conference, AMES

• “Early Years” Ontario Provincial Conference

• Toronto Montessori Teachers Conference

• Rogers Communication Inc., Community Relations Conference

• Peel Multicultural Centre, Transitioning Back to Work

• Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants: OCASI

• Mennonite New Life Centre, Staff Development, working with diverse refugees

• Healthcare Professionals Working in Indigenous Communities, Keynote Speaker

• Northern Ontario Home & Community Care Network Virtual Conference, Keynote

• MukiBaum Treatment Centre, helping individuals with complex and severe disabilities

• Understanding & Responding to Inmates with Mental Health Challenges, Ministry of Community Services Correction Services, MCSCS, Ontario Government

• Indigenous Community Development in Northwestern Ontario

• Gang Exit Programs – gang-involved and at-risk youth, Personality Dimensions™

• Employment Agencies, Pre-Employment Life-skills, Anger Management Training

• Waterloo-Wellington Therapeutic Recreation Council & Ontario Television Network

• Festival of International Conferences on Caregiving, Disability, Aging FICCDAT

• Gerontological Nursing Association, Ontario, Keynote Speaker

• Healthy Mind Expo. Alzheimer Society of Windsor & Essex County, Keynote Speaker

• The Toronto Sexual Abuse Treatment Programs, Ministry of Child/Youth Services

• The MCSS/MCYS Learning in Motion (LIM) Toronto Region Staff Conference for Ontario Disability Support Program, Ministry of Community & Social Services, Ministry of Children & Youth Services

• Ontario Bar Association, Mindful Lawyer, Complex Issues, Clear Solutions

• Trauma Training, Hincks-Dellcrest Centre, Trauma & Resiliency Centre, Toronto

• Trauma-Focused Training – Durham Rape Crisis Centre, Whitby

• Community Agencies working with Homelessness, Suicide Prevention Strategies

• Hong Fook Mental Health Association, serving East & Southeast Asian communities

• Central Toronto Youth Services (Mental Health & Addictions)

• Hamilton Community Programs, Keynote Speaker

• University of Waterloo Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies

• Addictions Ontario, CACCF

• Therapeutic Recreation Ontario

• 31st, 32nd, 37th, 42nd Institute on Substance Abuse & Mental Health, Delaware

• “Making Gains” Mental Health and Addiction Conference of Ontario

• PACE, Independent Living, Toronto, ON, Keynote Speaker

• London Providers, PSWs – London, ON, Keynote Speaker

• Canadian Association of Montessori Teachers, Keynote, Toronto, ON,

• Suzuki String School of Guelph

• Southern Ontario Suzuki Institute

• Humber College Music Program

• National Youth Orchestra of Canada

• Art of Teaching Conference, The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto

• Ottawa Suzuki Conference & Ontario Suzuki Conference

• Glenn Gould School, The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto

• Sir Wilfred Laurier University Music Department

• Faculty at Hong Kong University & Academy of Performing Arts