Why is studying the brain important for psychology? Jules Shore

As psychotherapists, our understanding of the human brain greatly influences our approach to therapy. Jules Shore, in her course "Neurobiology with Heart," provides an enlightening perspective on why studying the brain is essential for psychotherapy practitioners. She emphasizes the layered structure of the brain, each layer playing a unique role in our psychological functioning. This knowledge is not just academic; it has practical implications in therapy.?

Read more in our brief primer on how the brain works (for mental health professionals), or skip straight to a free online video training with Jules Shore here: Introduction to Neurobiology, Psychology, and Compassion.

Studying The Brain's Layered Complexity?

As Shore explains to therapists in her online neurobiology trainings, the brain has several layers. To put it simply, we consider the brainstem, the limbic system, and the neocortex.

1. Understanding The Brainstem

This layer is involved in basic survival functions, rhythm, and regulation. It processes sensation and movement data, essential in understanding a client's sense of safety or danger.

2. Understanding The Limbic System

This layer holds our emotional knowings and autobiographical history. It is quick in making associations between past experiences and current stimuli, a vital aspect in understanding clients' emotional responses.

3. Understanding the Neocortex

The outermost layer of the brain, it is involved in higher-order functions like planning, reasoning, and understanding time. It helps in making coherent narratives of our experiences.

How To Apply Your Brain Studies in Therapy Sessions

Understanding these layers aids therapists in tailoring their approach. Why studying the brain is essential for psychotherapists, we need to go beyond study and mental understanding to offer effective neuroscience-based solutions to our clients. This is where Jules really shines in her teaching, as she is an expert in application.?

There are many neuro-informed counseling techniques you can employ in sessions. One example is using sensory inputs like weighted blankets can help soothe the brainstem, offering a sense of safety. Another would be exploring emotions and memories in the limbic system through detailed imagery and affective language. For the neocortex, engaging in narrative and time-oriented conversation is key.

Following Shore's approach, you′ll be guiding psychotherapy clients through these layers, helping them process information and emotions sequentially. This therapeutic method acknowledges that not all information reaches our conscious awareness and that each layer filters information based on its unique functions and past learnings.

In short, the study of the brain is fundamental in mental health work, especially for psychotherapists. Juliane Taylor Shore's approach exemplifies how a deep understanding of brain functions can enhance therapeutic interventions, making them more effective and empathetic.

Here, we share the transcript excerpt from Module 1 of Shore′s full online course Neurobiology with Heart which gives a little more detail on the above primer. In the full module, Shore goes directly into session demonstrations of applying these and other neurobiology techniques. You′ll find a link to her free introductory training at the bottom. Enjoy!

Neurobiology with Heart with Juliane Taylor Shore Module 1 Session 1: The Brain in Layers

Welcome to Module One, Session One: The Brain in Layers. As we progress through this course, we will explore the brain from various perspectives, deepening our understanding through all five modules. Please note any questions for our live calls. Today, we discuss the brain's layered organization, using Dan Siegel's hand model as a reference.

Understanding the Brain's Layers

Diencephalon and Brainstem: Located at the brain's core, the diencephalon includes the thalamic and hypothalamic areas. Below it lies the brainstem. This area, along with the sub-cortical system, comprises elements like the limbic system and basal ganglia. We will revisit these concepts throughout the course.

Neocortex: Enveloping these inner layers is the neocortex, often regarded as the 'thinking brain.' It's associated with time perception and creating coherence in understanding.

Client Communication: While discussing these layers with clients, I simplify the language. For instance:

???- The brainstem is related to survival, rhythm, and regulation.

???- The subcortical or limbic system processes emotions, associations, and historical knowledge.

???- The neocortex is about higher-level thinking, including time perception and coherence.

Information Processing in the Brain

The brain processes information sequentially, from the faster lower regions to the slower neocortex. Not all data received by the brainstem travels up to the conscious level, as it's filtered through various 'gatekeepers' like the thalamus.

Layer-Specific Brain Functions and Communication:

1. Brainstem (Diencephalon): Focuses on rhythm, regulation, and survival. It communicates through sensations and movements. Techniques like rhythm activities (rocking, drumming) and focusing on physical sensations can be effective in addressing this layer, especially in trauma cases.

2. Sub-Cortical Brain (Limbic System): Holds emotional memories and associative learning. It responds to feelings and imagery. For example, helping a client associate new, pleasant images with previously stressful situations can aid in reprogramming this layer's responses.

3. Neocortex: This layer is responsible for time awareness and planning. It operates in the language the client speaks and helps in making sense of experiences by forming coherent narratives.

Clinical Application: I will demonstrate these concepts through three clinical tapes, each addressing a different brain layer…

? Neurobiology with Heart: Partnering with Your Client's Brain to Make Your Sessions Easier and Deeper ? Academy of Therapy Wisdom

________________________________

Get FREE ACCESS to Introduction to Neurobiology, Psychology, and Compassion with Jules Shore and read more of our articles at therapywisdom.com/blog/