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A practical guide to cultivating therapeutic presence.Neurophysiology of therapeutic presence.

A practical guide to cultivating therapeutic presence.: Neurophysiology of therapeutic presence. We are at an exciting time when the union of psychotherapy and neuroscience is teaching us how the interconnections between mind, body, and brain can help us grow. If we can change our experience, we can change our brains. This speaks to the value of intentionally inviting presence in life and in relationships: The more we experience presence, the stronger the neural pathways for presence become (Hanson & Mendius, 2009; Siegel, 2010). Practices that cultivate the qualities of therapeutic presence leave a memory or imprint in the brain and the body. So repeated practices of presence allow this state to be accessed more easily over time. We intuitively recognize that we impact each other in relationship. Neuroscience confirms this, by revealing mechanisms in the brain and the body that leave us changed by our interactions with others. When we are intentional about the way we relate, we increase the possibility that others receive and feel our calm and attuned presence. The changing nature of the brain means that in these encounters, the brains and bodies of those we aim to touch are being altered too. This chapter incorporates neuroscience theory to support (a) how practice can deepen presence and (b) how presence in therapeutic relationships can create the conditions for safety that effective therapy needs. A deeper understanding of how we impact our clients, not just through conventional psychotherapeutic techniques but also neurophysiologically helps us to be intentional in our own bodily state, using nonverbal means to attune with our clients in a way that facilitates healing. This understanding supports our self-development as therapists, as we identify areas requiring more attention in our personal and professional lives. We can build the neural pathways that support presence and, with ongoing practice, turn present-centered relating into a characteristic or trait rather than just a momentary experience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png

A practical guide to cultivating therapeutic presence.Neurophysiology of therapeutic presence.

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Publisher
American Psychological Association
Copyright
Copyright © 2017 American Psychological Association
Pages
42 –60
DOI
10.1037/0000025-004
Publisher site
See Chapter on Publisher Site

Abstract

We are at an exciting time when the union of psychotherapy and neuroscience is teaching us how the interconnections between mind, body, and brain can help us grow. If we can change our experience, we can change our brains. This speaks to the value of intentionally inviting presence in life and in relationships: The more we experience presence, the stronger the neural pathways for presence become (Hanson & Mendius, 2009; Siegel, 2010). Practices that cultivate the qualities of therapeutic presence leave a memory or imprint in the brain and the body. So repeated practices of presence allow this state to be accessed more easily over time. We intuitively recognize that we impact each other in relationship. Neuroscience confirms this, by revealing mechanisms in the brain and the body that leave us changed by our interactions with others. When we are intentional about the way we relate, we increase the possibility that others receive and feel our calm and attuned presence. The changing nature of the brain means that in these encounters, the brains and bodies of those we aim to touch are being altered too. This chapter incorporates neuroscience theory to support (a) how practice can deepen presence and (b) how presence in therapeutic relationships can create the conditions for safety that effective therapy needs. A deeper understanding of how we impact our clients, not just through conventional psychotherapeutic techniques but also neurophysiologically helps us to be intentional in our own bodily state, using nonverbal means to attune with our clients in a way that facilitates healing. This understanding supports our self-development as therapists, as we identify areas requiring more attention in our personal and professional lives. We can build the neural pathways that support presence and, with ongoing practice, turn present-centered relating into a characteristic or trait rather than just a momentary experience. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Published: Mar 27, 2017

Keywords: neurophysiology; therapeutic presence

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