The Science of Psychotherapy July 2020
In amongst all the big issues that are raging in the world today there continues to be the research and exploration that has been the basis of content for The Science of Psychotherapy magazine. In this issue we address issues big and small, personal and general,...
Jeffrey & Amy Olrick on The 6 Needs of Every Child
This week we talk to Jeffrey and Amy Olrick, an absolutely delightful couple, who know a thing or two about bringing up children from the perspective of developmental psychology and as parents. Jeffrey Olrick, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who specializes in...
See What You Made Me Do – Power, Control and Domestic Abuse
Investigative journalist Jess Hill puts perpetrators – and the systems that enable them – in the spotlight. Her new book See What You Made Me Do is a deep dive into the abuse so many women and children experience – abuse that is often reinforced by the justice system...
Emma Katz on coercive control in domestic violence
Dr Emma Katz researches the impacts of domestic violence & abuse on children and mother-child relationships. Her work explores coercive control, agency, resistance, recovery and mother-child supportiveness in domestic abuse contexts. Today we talk with her about...
Caitlin Yeo and Craig Morgan on isolation and lack of work in the creative industries
We welcome back screen composers Caitlin Yeo and Craig Morgan to talk again about the state of creative industries in the wake of COVID-19 and the mental health implications. This conversation is applicable to many creative industries and knowledge workers who work in...
Alix Sugarman on ART
Today we talk with licensed creative arts therapist Alix Sugarman who has used art in a creative healing program for military service personnel, military sexual trauma survivors, and family members. She now uses those same techniques in the framework of Accelerated...
The Science of Psychotherapy June 2020
The Science of Psychotherapy June 2020 The Roman goddess, Juno, lends her name to the month of June. This gave me pause to consider what sort of ethereal blessing she might give to provide some comfort as we continue to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic. Juno was...
The Dream Completion Technique
Today we chat with Dr Justin Havens who has developed what he calls the Dream Completion Technique to deal with unresolved nightmares and disturbing dreams. Justin is a psychological therapist accredited by BACP and EMDR Europe. He has worked within the NHS, the...
Tracing the Brain-To-Gut Connection
Using rabies virus injected into the stomach of rats, researchers trace the nerves back to the brain and find distinct ‘fight or flight’ and ‘rest and digest’ circuits. These results explain how mental states can affect the gut, and present new ways to treat gastrointestinal problems.
Potent pain-suppression center in the brain is found by neurobiologists
Response of dozens of pain-promotion centers is dampened by single OFF switch.
Reid Wilson on Anxiety
Reid Wilson has been an expert on anxiety and self-help for a long time now. His website anxieties.com has been established for many years and is the number one go-to place on the web for information and help with anxiety issues. We caught up with Reid to talk about...
Compared to males, females exhibit more intense subjective cannabis cravings
Researchers also found preliminary evidence that ovarian hormones may modulate the differential response in women and may be related to different levels of estrogen.
Scientists square off against gamers in a game of neuron-tracing
Veteran players of ‘Mozak’ are pitted against Allen Institute researchers — well-versed in neuroscience but new to the online game — in a work-and-game-at-home challenge.
Motor Skill Learning Via Changes in Brain’s Transmitters is Boosted by Exercise
Switch in chemical messaging is key prelude to motor skill acquisition according to research
Daryl Chow on getting better results
About Daryl Chow All I care about is to be of service. My work is guided by this principle. Specifically, be it for clients or professionals, I’m interested in helping people become better versions of themselves. I’m currently based in Western Australia, banded...
Symptom-specific Targets for Treatment of Depression is Identified By Researchers
Improvement of separate clusters of depressive symptoms is linked to therapeutic stimulation of distinct brain circuitry epression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, striking as many as one in...
Communicating differently is a subset of retinal neurons
New research has found that a subset of retinal neurons sends inhibitory signals to the brain. Before, researchers believed the eye only sends excitatory signals.
Neural circuit that drives physical responses to emotional stress are found by researchers
A key target for treating stress-related disorders such as panic disorder and PTSD is what this neural circuit could become.
Deb Dana on connecting
Deb Dana has brought the Polyvagal Theory to life in a very accessible way for therapists. Today we catch up with Deb and talk about a number of things including the difficulties and opportunities of co-regulation over the internet in a time of lock down. See Deb...
Explaining Parkinson’s dyskinesia mechanism
Study finds involuntary movements caused by dopamine replacement therapy can be alleviated through suppression of RasGRP1.
Molecular switch plays crucial role in learning from negative experiences
Neurobiologists at KU Leuven have discovered how the signalling molecule Neuromedin U plays a crucial role in our learning process. The protein allows the brain to recall negative memories and, as such, learn from the past. The findings of their study on roundworms have been published in the journal Nature Communications.
Social Anxiety Disorder Patient’s Large Differences Personality Traits
Compared to others, different personality traits exist in individuals with social anxiety disorder. According to a new study from Uppsala University, Emotional instability and introversion are hallmarks.
The Emergence of the Social Brain
The more we’ve come to understand how our brains work, the more we’ve realized that significant portions are dedicated to connecting us with others. Go to the download (members free) The brain has long been the subject of human fascination—this has never been as...
How the heart affects our perception
Brain and heart constantly communicate. For example, signals from the brain make sure that the heart beats faster when we encounter a dangerous situation. The heart slows down when we relax. Interestingly, vice versa – even though the underlying mechanisms are unclear, the heartbeat also affects the brain. It has now been identified by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) in Leipzig and Berlin School of Mind & Brain that two mechanisms underpinning how the heart influences our perception, the brain, and how these mechanisms differ between individuals.