The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy: Building and Rebuilding the Human Brain (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology)

About this book

For years the brain has been viewed as a relatively static entity determined by the interaction of genetic preprogramming and early childhood experience. In contrast to this view recent theoretical perspectives and technological advances in brain imaging have revealed that the brain is an organ continually built and re-built by ones experiences. We are now beginning to learn that many forms of psychotherapy developed in the absence of any scientific understanding of the brain are supported by neuroscientific findings. Louis Cozolinos The Neuroscience of Psychotherapy illustrates in a clearly written and accessible way how the brains architecture is related to the problems passions and aspirations of human beings. As Cozolino so eloquently argues all forms of psychotherapy-from psychoanalysis to behavioral interventions-are successful to the extent to which they enhance change in relevant neural circuits. Beginning with an overview of the intersecting fields of neuroscience and psychotherapy this book delves into the brains inner workings from basic neuronal building blocks to complex systems of memory language and the organization of experience. It continues by explaining the development and organization of the healthy brain and the unhealthy brain. Common problems such as anxiety trauma and codependency are discussed from a scientific and clinical perspective. Cozolino concludes by introducing the emerging paradigm of the psychotherapist-as-neuroscientist and presents some practical applications of neuroscience to psychotherapy. Throughout the book the science behind the brains workings is applied to day-to-day experience and clinical practice. Written for psychotherapists and others interested in the relationship between brain and behavior this book encourages us to consider the brain when attempting to understand human development mental illness and psychological health.