THE NEUROPSYCHOTHERAPIST

Volume 4 Issue 3 (March 2016)

ISSN 2201-9529

CONTENTS

This month we continue our discovery of the brain in Part 2 of “The Psychotherapist’s Essential Guide to the Brain”, where we survey the limbic system—a group of brain structures of particular interest to psychotherapy.  We continue in overview mode for now, and will go into more detail on the various roles of these fascinating structures as the series progresses.

Also this month we are pleased to be able to feature a large excerpt from new book Love Rewired by David Kavanagh, one of Ireland’s most popular counsellors who appears regularly on Irish radio and TV. I love this book because it makes an excellent resource to use with clients, full of great ways of communicating about the brain and brain function. I can see it bridging the gap for clients between no knowledge of what is going on in their brains and a basic understanding that can then be expanded on. The excerpt this month gives us a generous preview of David’s ideas for “using your brain to mend your heart”.

Finally, Cassandra Garmston, a qualified civil engineer with a newfound passion for applied psychology, proposes a tailored psychological tool to promote healing among Australia’s Indigenous people who have experienced multiple and transgenerational traumas, drawing on a bottom-up, neuropsychotherapeutic perspective.

As always, I hope that you will find something unique and energising for your thoughts and practice over the coming month.

-Ed.

Features

Parenting Your Brain

Parenting can be tough, and tough on your brain! Irish counsellor David Kavanagh writes for a broad audience on what is going on with our brains when we are being stretched by the demanding relationships of home. His very accessible style bridges the gap of understanding many clients have between their experience and brain function.

David Kavanagh

Transgenerational Trauma: Development of a Neurobiological Therapeutic Tool

Transgenerational trauma among Australian Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders has inflicted chronic stress on individuals, families, and communities. Drawing on the fundamental principles of neuropsychotherapy, Cassandra Garmston’s proposed psychoeducational tool is aimed at healing such traumas in collaboration with Indigenous elders.

Cassandra Garmston

Departments:

• Neuroscience - The Psychotherapist's Essential Guide to the Brain Part 2

46 pages