Principles for Incorporating the Brain into Treatments

Abstract

Neuroscience has brought many new discoveries that hold important ramifications for psychotherapy. As clinicians come to understand the nervous system and how the brain is always involved with the mind, body, and environment, they will be able to add these potentials from brain science into their treatment methods. Certain principles emerge to help get started in applying the new brain science to expand therapeutic methods. This chapter outlines some key principles here as a quick reference, which are developed further in the treatment sections of the book that follow. These principles can help clinicians keep the brain in mind as they formulate their techniques to help meet the needs of each client and every problem. The principles are: (1) Natura sanat, (nature heals) and so does the nervous system. (2) The mind, brain, and body function together as a network, one that is in more than two dimensions, so problems can be treated at different levels, not just the next point on a line of activity. (3) Many structures and functions of the brain are plastic, with the potential for change, and so you can alter seemingly entrenched patterns through the brain. (4) The brain-mind-body network is neutral, with processes serving varied functions, so begin by working with the functions the client already has. (5) Use feedback and feedforward to add correcting weights within the networks for healing pathways, and lessen the weights that facilitate unhealthy pathways. (6) Make one small change to start a process.