2001 Update

Where it all began

Academic Qualifications

Clinical Practice

Cassel Centres

Forensic Membership

Awards

Honours and
Distinctions

Publications and
References 1969-2001

Where It All Began

Brian's early career path entered full-time school teaching in 1962 for thirteen years. In 1971 he started lecturing in Psychology for the Diploma of Youth Leadership and Communication for Prison Officers at the Victorian Institute of  Social Welfare. From 1975 onwards he lectured Psychology, Education, Counselling and Communication.  He was acclaimed through national and international awards as a considered expert in Special Education, Computerized biofeedback research and now in acute and chronic advanced pain control using eclectic techniques, computerised biofeedback and Budzynski subliminal relaxation and stress reduction. International scientific presentations with articles, colloquiums, books, chapters, test manuals and software were published internationally from 1969 onwards.

Since the age of five Brian was taught, "Anything we wish for with prayer, is possible". During doctoral studies supervised by Dr Russell N. Cassel, he aspired to the classic Aristotelian axiom of "Whatever man can imagine or dream, is possible."

Technical school was enjoyed as a superlative education but Brian's entry test scores were less than favourable coming from a lowly background, ranking last in 250 students. Previously, failing most elementary grades 1-8 he was one of a several oldest pupils in the intake group. On repeating Grade 8, suddenly he came dux and was awarded the Coburg Gadsons Scholarship as Most Improved Student. With new gusto, Brian then joined the Air Training Corp and School Baseball Team.

Graduating from Coburg Tech with Intermediate Technical Certificate in Mechanical Engineering, he topped the class in Maths II for Engineering at the higher. Diploma Entrance standard. Despondently he left school, although ranking first in Math, to enter full-time but short-lived jobs in 1961 as a labourer, unskilled factory worker, storeman, trainee draftsman, apprentice carpenter and ANZ bank teller. Simultaneously, he studied nine part-time subjects and correspondence courses from the Royalk Melbourne Institute of Technology and passed enough including a provisional matriculation at the ANU. These prerequisites enabled entry to part-time In-service Student Teacher Training through the Victorian Education Department Counci of Publication, commencing the following year.

Australian Vocational guidance had not fully developed in those early years when Brian was at school. It felt like an eternity for him to arrive at his career life mission in 1975 to become a psychologist. Since the age of five "wishing upon a star" to be a doctor to help people was his Life Mission career dream. Nostalgically he explained, "Obstacle courses on what appeared at the time as difficult credential paper chases are earned through hard work and won like marathon endurance tests."

ACVII Software

To Serve Humanity

International Contributions

Research 1969-2001

Mind Body Medicine

Alabama Medical Rejuvenology Convention 2006 Mainstream recoveries facilitated with Mind-Body Medicine

Statistical recovery probability remains beyond “measurable significance” for consecutive life threatening illness suffered from 1998-2007. This started with a massive esophageal biopsy-proven malignant adenoma carcinoma tumor 13x8x6 cms.

As a research psychologist, I originated 20 Mind/Body Medicine techniques facilitating main-stream medical treatment. Considering chronic acute illness suffered is it suggested that my recoveries were not due solely to mainstream medicine?

1998 Terminally diagnosed with incurable esophageal adeno carcinoma.  The massive tumor re-grew twice aggressively during the 5 months intensive chemotherapy Doxorubicin weekly 5FU and post experimental chemo.  Later radiotherapy 6 Million volts daily regime for five weeks was "palliative". 

1998 to 2001 Hand Foot Syndrome Neuropathy: Electrolytic Pt diffusion reduction technique

1999 Esophageal odynophagia: Pain control – Minimal analgesics. 5ml Zylocaine prn  Neurotransmitter Zonulon and Zoltar neurotransmitter guided imagery (Amory U Bethesda APA Monitor). Lucus visualization. Hourly prayer pain stopping mantra, flotation water skills and visual afterimage technique. Blended food. Soup.

1999  Renal cysts 5cm and secondary calculus resulting of intensive chemotherapy: Self-treatment buoyancy advanced water skills with hydration techniques continuing to present time.

1999  Enlarged prostate Nocturnal Cramps nm spasms; Dehydration electrolytes. Prostate continuing to present, 1975 inguinal muscle and visual imagery techniques. Modified Luthe autogenics and newly developed Lucus EEG dreaming techniques... Current PSA 5.2 “asymptomatic” is being monitored by Urologist.

2000  Vertebral T (6) spinal crack fracture; (Head butting by my pet camel): Pain cont Visual afterimage     thought stopping and Budzynski Progressive Subliminal techniques.  Cramps treated nutritional supplements 

2000 Separate Vertebral T (5) spinal crack fracture. (Falling backwards from the kitchen sink) Advanced pain control; Self-Treated – Swedish ball back extension flexion stretching, daily water skills and swimming training, compression massage, pain thought stopping.  Newly devised Lucus lucid dream imagery techniques were used from 2000 until two Vertebroplasty procedures at the Alfred Hospital Radiology Surgery Unit 2005. .  

2001 Shingles due to an auto-immune system physical trauma depletion reaction. Medication and prayer.

2003  Spinal Compression fractures excessive weight bearing while carrying luggage un-assisted during an excessively intensive 3 weeks US, UK and EU itineraries: Pain control self- treated – Hourly prayer and silent mantra with computerized biofeedback visual imagery and nightly Lucas lucid state dreaming induction.   

2004  Reduced 75% vertebral T6 anterior height and also 25% T5 anterior height: Pain self-treated as above 2000-2005 when finally cured with two Vertebroplasty T6 & T5 operations (Alfred Hospital Radiology Unit).

2005  Pneumonia emergency ward and IC admission the BP 70/55 and Temp 40. Discharged after four days bed rest.  Prescribed antibiotic then visual imagery and on discharge, continued advanced strenuous water skills including daily buoyancy and laps swimming training. Newly developed Triangulation Western style Tai Chi. 

(a)    Bacterial Pneumonia – over exertion with hydrotherapy 3 hrs patients on a cold winter’s morning at YMCA heated swimming pool Temp 30 and Spar 37 when double booked.

(b)    Pericarditis - heart sack fluid Vol 70 ml; Cont antibiotic, coughing exercises, pain control. 

(c)    Pleural effusion left lung; Daily lap training, coughing exercises, prayers and pain mantra.  

(d)    Acute Myocarditis; Strenuous laps, buoyancy, Watsu floatation, Lucid dream REM EEG induction.

(e)    Left lung Atelectasis. Standard breathing expiation coughing with EMG BP monitored with laps training.

(f)    Congestive heart disease Dysrhythmia; Progressive stress relief breathing exercises without medication.

(g)    Cardiomyelitis. Minimal analgesics, Lucid dreaming with modified Candice Pert pre-sleep visual imagery.

1998 - 2007 Modified pain control methods Connie Peck and in the US Candice Pert, Luthe Autogenics training with adjunct computerized biofeedback, Budzynski Subliminal techniques, Progressive Relaxation and, Guided imagery  Hand & Foot syndrome experienced as an oncology recognized lamentable side-effect of chemotherapy.  This was from 5 months weekly Intensive chemotherapy, experimental chemotherapy and palliative radiotherapy.  Acute chronic hand and leg cramps Dehydration electrolytes after originating electrolytic diffusion technique and supplemental nutritional additives.

The Australian Computerised Vocational Interest Inventory 1986-99 7th Edition 2001  

ACVII software, constructed and published in 1987 (Sixth edition 1997), was widely used throughout Australia and New Zealand. The inventory still remains the only "three times standardised and statistically normed Australian test". ACVII and its brother test NZ7 are administered in settings of: State Secondary and Independent schools; Universities; Sports Institutes; TAFE Colleges; Hospitals; Medical clinics; Private practices; Rehabilitation centres; Government departments, Staff selection agencies. Software-user Lists 1987-2000 are available on request.  

Australia's pioneer in computerised psychological test software construction, as a prolific author, Brian achieved comprehensive R&D including numerous published accompanying manuals containing comprehensive statistical analysis.

Software Pioneering

Back in 1963, when Optical scanners were not yet invented, Dr Costello administered Australia's first Fortran computer science test. From 1979 onwards, he specialised in standardising computerized psychological assessment and biofeedback personality tests. These comprised two postdoctoral fellowships at the Cassel Psychology Centre, San Diego. As early as 1981, he was transmitting computerised biofeedback physiological data via acoustic couplers with his former mentor, Dr Russell N Cassel, the innovator of computerized biofeedback psychological testing.

Dr Costello continued working over three decades with his two former mentors and distinguished colleagues,

Colonel Russel N. Cassel USAF FSR-2
Former Professor of Psychology
Universities of Kentucky and Wisconsin

and now in 2007 since Dr Cassel's passing

continues publishing with

Dr John K Meyer

Cassel Institute, San Diego

Australian and US
Life Mission Career Tests

By 1987, Dr Costello constructed the Australian Computerised Vocational Interest Inventory ACVII and also the ALMT Australian Life Mission Test. In 1988, he launched NZSTAR software New Zealand Study Technique Assessment Report and in 1989 the Australian version, ACSTAR.

At San Diego in 1994, Dr John Kellog Meyer thoughtfully standardized data between Australian and US student and adult samples for 112 non-verbal career picture responses for the USLMT computerized biofeedback test. Cross-cultural precise statistical norms achieved unusual accuracy and clarity with highly significant statistical correlations between Australian and US populations.

Mathew considering future career as an animal trainer.

After originating the ALMT he built his second computerised biofeedback instrument. The US Life Mission Test USLMT was presented in continuous workshop demonstrations at the 1994 Annual California Career Conference in San Francisco. This inovation led to refinements for the Computerized Polygraph (Pinocchio Assessment Profile PAP) advertised in J. Forensic Examiner for which he gave documentation to the NCA, FBI Washington and the US Melbourne Consulate. This advanced statistical documentation was introduced to the United States in 1994 and also offered to the American College of Forensic Examiners and South Alabama Police Forensics Dept in 1997 and was finally published in the Journal of Instructional Psychology, Vol 33, No 4, 2006..The ALMT US AUS statistical standardization authored by Dr Costello and Dr Meyer was presented at the Annual International Council of Psychologists in 1998 at Melbourne.

Software Published & Distributed
By Cassel Research Centre 1986-2001

The prefix letters "AC" abbreviated for 'Australian Computerised' was used for the following self-scoring and self-reporting tests. This was because in 1986 computer software was not generally used in schools. ISBN reference indexes are provided if desired on request:

1.	ACVII Australian Computerised Vocational Interest Inventory.
2.	ACSTAR Australian Computerised Study Technique Assessment Report
3.	NZSTAR New Zealand Study Techniques Assessment Report.
4.	NZC7 New Zealand Computerised Vocational Interest Inventory.
5.	ACDRIA Australian Computerised Driving Instructors Assessment (MS DOS only).
6.	ACMAP Australian Computerised Marriage Assessment Profile.
7.	ACHAP Australian Computerised Human Relations Profile (MS DOS only).
8.	ALMT Australian Life Mission Test Computerised Biofeedback Non-Verbal Career Picture Profile (MS DOS only).
9.	USLMT United States Life Mission Test Computerised Biofeedback NonVerbal Career Picture Profile (MS DOS only).

At primary school, Brian was placed with slow learner migrant groups because of his surname and impoverished grades. Actually, he is a fifth generation Australian of Irish settlers whose history was featured in the television screenfilm adapted from Mary Durack's book, "Kings in Grass Castles" and its sequel, "Sons in the Saddle".

Working as an un-skilled labourer in 1961, he was confused by lower socio-economic class race feelings. "How could our New Australian migrants with demonstrably sophisticated knowledge of opera, singing while they worked in factories and elsewhere, experience racism?" Paradoxically, while lecturing psychology in 1975, a class of indigenous Australian students was encountered similarly. In 1976 he attempted to understand inter-cultural communication while visiting the New Territories of China and Tokyo. For his elucidation it was explained to him succinctly that degrees of poverty were relative throughout the world. Maybe this unenviable plight was one of the causes of racism? Subsequently in 1978, although fluent but with broken speech in several languages, he learned more about this curious phenomena during his UN itinerary throughout Europe and continued travels until 2006.

In 1979, Dr Costello was elected as Australian and Pacific Area Chairman of the International Council of Psychologists and later, ICP Director at Large, nominated to Who's Who Professionals and Executives and in 1998 when expected to die from biopsy-proven esophageal adenocarcinoma nominated "Man of the Year" for Contributions to Humanity.

Scientific & Literary Publications

Publications may be accessed from various databases including the Australian National Library ISBN Division and Social Science Archives. Sundry articles may be downloaded from website databases including the Australian Institute of Criminology, APA PsychINFO; ERIC/CAPS clearinghouse; Professional Medical, Health Sciences, Careers & Education and Biofeedback libraries. Some detailed reference lists are available from the Australian National Library, Canberra but the majority of his publications were published in the US.

In 1978 Dr Costello was elected as Australian Chair and later Director At Large for the International Council of Psychologists (Est 1943). He is a National Faculty Member of the United States Sports Academy; Fellow and Diplomate of the American Board of Medical Psychotherapists; Diplomate of the American Psychotherapy Association; International Affiliate of the American Psychological Association; Chief Australian Liaison Officer for the American Board of Forensic Examiners; Fellow and Diplomate of the American College of Forensic Examiners. In 1997, Dr Costello was elected Vice Chairman of the American Board of Psychological Specialties and in 1999, Australian Chief Liaison Officer. He was re-elected ABPS Chairman for Forensic Neuropsychology and continues serving in that honorary capacity.

Early published work from 1969

Publications comprise of Preventative Health Education, Special Education, Neuropsychology, Clinical and Forensic Psychology, Test construction statistical validations, Critical psychological issues. His software tests contain both Australian and US norms. There are over one hundred scientific abstracts, books and several psychological test manuals. During 71-74 postgraduate research FCP (Lond), an applied model for Spl.Ed. & Guidance Community Centres was originated for The Australian Schools Commission and awarded the largest Federal Special Projects Innovation Grant. This was for the effective working model for all neighbouring schools of the eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

The FCP thesis elaborated innovations in testing and positive feedback reporting similar to when he headed the Turana Parkside Security Section School. Contained in the thesis was The Tri-modality Reading Teaching Unit, an invention designed to facilitate reading and remedy specific difficulties in phonics and perceptual readiness; viz Figure Ground, Position in space, Directional attack, digraph phoneme recognition and visual motor perception.

Ron Tandberg of the Melbourne Age Newspaper illustrated the Tri-modality Teaching Unit featured in Frank Potter's article for the Victorian Journal of Manufacturers. A uniquely new approach second languages learning as a precise translation device was also embodied in the unit in its provisional patents. in Melbourne 1969 as the forerunner to the "Speak & Spell" talking typewriter and electronic pocket language translator.