Complete this discussion based on your reading of Chapter 13 and the Chapter 13
Video, and a search of The Thoughtful Counseling podcast for “neuroscience.”
Listen to 1 or 2 of the podcasts. Describe how counselors use neuro-informed
counseling/information about the brain and why it is important to working with
clients. Note the most salient piece of information you gained from the
reading/podcasts and how it can improve mental wellness.
According to Simmons et al., neuroscience is on its way to be the next wave of counseling
(2020). Neurocounseling has become so popular that now it is an area of expertise in the field of
counseling. It is important to note that brain function has a huge impact on one’s overall mental
health. Counselors who are knowledgeable about neuroscience also have a good understanding
of the nervous system. When it comes to counseling, mindfulness approaches, creative arts
interventions, and yoga practices are all positive influences on our brain and can help to fight
depression, anxiety, trauma, and relational functioning (Simmons et al., 2020).
I believe that in order for a counselor to carry out best practice, it is imperative to be
knowledgeable about our brains and how they work. By understanding neuroscience, counselors
will be able to provide better quality services to their clients. In order to practice
neurocounseling with clients, it is important to know the physiological properties of the brain
(Simmons et al., 2020). The cerebrum, the brainstem, and the cerebellum are the three main
parts of the brain. According to Simmons et al., the brain plays a part of most activities in our
body including monitoring sensory input, processing information, storing memory, and
determining action (2020).
When it comes to neuro-informed counseling, it is important to keep in mind that the brain is
capable of neuroplasticity. This means that the brain continuously creates new neurons and that
neural connections can be rewired. That being said, neuroplasticity can be helpful in counseling
for helping clients understand and change emotional reactivity (Simmons et al., 2020). Social
interaction and how we interpret those interactions is also a part of how our brain functions and
is a part of the polyvagal theory.
I really enjoyed the podcast where Dr. Chad Luke talks about how neuroscience has impacted the
field of counseling. I admire how passionate Dr. Chad Luke is about neuroscience. He mentions
how neuroscience helps clients understand their whole human experience a little better. I never
have thought about how the brain can change due to working with a counselor. This is proof of
the positive impact that counseling has on individuals.
The most salient piece of information I gained from the reading was the case of Brooklyn which
was featured in the text. I liked how the text gave us a real-life example of neuro-informed
counseling. The counselor, Taylor, was able to teach her client about her own brain function and
how serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, and endorphin levels affect her mood and depression.
Taylor was also able to work with Brooklyn while utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy. In
turn, she was able to replace much of her negative thinking with more positive thinking as it
relates to what is going on in her brain.
References
Miller, R. (Producer). (2019, September 3).5EP140: Theoretical and Ethical Implications of
Neuroscience and Counseling Integration5with Chad Luke5[Audio Podcast]. The Thoughtful
Counselor. Retrieved from https://thethoughtfulcounselor.com/?p=227385.
Simmons, R., Lilley, S., & Kuhnley, A.K. (Eds). (2020). Introduction to Counseling: Integration
Neuroscience is important for a counselor to understand because it provides them with the
knowledge about what is happening in the brain that could be contributing to a client’s mental
illness symptoms (Simmons, Lilley, & Kuhnley, 2020). In addition to this, counselors should be
aware of the brain’s functioning because symptoms a client may be presenting could reflect a
possible mental health diagnosis, but there could also be a physiological issue that needs to be
addressed by a physician for further examination and diagnosis (Simmons, et al., 2020). When
the concept of neuroscience is understood, a counselor is more apt to treat a client holistically,
rather than solely addressing the emotional or mental needs of the client and leaving other
aspects unresolved.
An important aspect of neuroscience within counseling is the knowledge that neural connections
can be rewired, ultimately allowing individuals to create new neural pathways that alter their
emotional reactions (Simmons et al., 2020). In other words, when new and healthy thought
patterns and coping mechanisms are put into practice, new pathways within the brain are being
formed, which, when practiced regularly, will ultimately make it easier to continue to engage in
healthy thought patterns because the pathway is solidifying within the brain. The use of
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques by a counselor will help a
client when it comes to creating the new thought patterns in the brain
Counselors can use this concept to better understand the Polyvagal Theory, which describes the
role the nervous system plays in relation to an individual’s emotional regulation and their social
interactions (Simmons et al., 2020). If a client reports living with trauma, this theory can be
applied to understand which nervous system symptoms are fueled by unresolved emotional
responses as a result of the trauma experienced. Thus, allowing CBT and mindfulness to be
utilized within counseling to rewire those emotional reactions and create new, healthy thought
patterns and reactions within their brain. Ultimately, it will help the client learn how to regulate
their emotional responses in a healthier manner and their ability to form healthier social
relationships with other individuals.5
Simmons, R., Lilley, S., & Kuhnley, A.K. (Eds). (2020).5Introduction to Counseling: Integration
of Faith, Professional Identity, and Clinical Practice. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt. ISBN:
9781524996970.
Reply to Jessica
Hey Jessica,
Thank you so much for your post this week on neuro-informed counseling. I found your post to
be very insightful and informative.
When it comes to counseling, I never really thought about neuroscience and how it could be
effective in working with clients. This module really opened my eyes up and made me aware of
neuro-informed counseling. It could be beneficial for counselors and clients to know what is
happening in the brain and how it affects our mental health. I like how you mentioned that when
counselors understand neuroscience, then they are able to treat clients holistically. In addition to
CBT and mindfulness techniques, creative arts interventions and yoga practices are also helpful
for clients when it comes to creating new thought patterns in the brain (Simmons et al., 2020).
I believe that counselors are able to provide better quality services to clients when they have a
clear understanding of neuroscience. They can, in turn, teach clients how the brain functions in
order to give clients a better grasp on why they may feel a certain way.
According to Simmons et al., the term for the brain continuously creating new neurons and the
neural connections being rewired is referred to as neuroplasticity (2020).
.
Thanks again and hope you have a great rest of the week!
References
Simmons, R., Lilley, S., & Kuhnley, A.K. (Eds). (2020).5Introduction to Counseling: Integration
of Faith, Professional Identity, and Clinical Practice. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt. ISBN:
9781524996970.
There were several prominent segments of module 7, from the textbook, video, and the
podcasts.5 However, the section of chapter 13 and module 7 I found most significant was the
short section out of the textbook chapter 13 about neuroscience and addiction.5 I am in recovery
and have experienced addiction first hand for twenty plus years.5 I have attended rehab and
learned bits and pieces between addiction and the basic mental effects.5 The short segment in
chapter 13 has allowed me to revisit addiction and has shown the empirical based evidence of
neuroscience and the relationship between neuroscience and addiction.
There are many levels of substance abuse.5 According to Volkow and Boyle (2018) addiction is a
chronic disorder of the brain that has ruinous consequences to society and the individual, thusly
making addiction the most severe materialization of substance abuse.5 The authors go on to state
that through the development of new brain imaging devices to map brain function and
neurochemistry and the development of new technologies and tools that have the ability identify
specific molecular and neurological changes, scientists are better able to understand the
neuroscience behind addiction (Volkow & Boyle, 2018).
Through the more comprehensive understanding of neuroscience and addiction, counselors are
able to form new and improved interventions for people suffering from addiction.5 Within
addiction, there is empirically backed evidence that chronic substance abuse arises from when
neurons are damaged and no longer can perform the standard purpose sending chemical
messages to receptors (Mamun & Griffiths, 2019).5 Mamun and Griffiths (2019) go on to state
that neurotransmitters are affected by substance abuse and may no longer absorb, transmit, and
produce dopamine, serotonin, and other naturally produced chemicals the way the chemicals
were performing before the introduction of substance abuse.
New science has given addicts and addiction counselors optimism.5 With these new tools and
technologies, many neuroscientists believe that neuroscience that can begin to help with
chemical addiction and to understand chemical addiction to a greater degree.5 “Overall, we
believe a network-level understanding of the disease could facilitate the development of effective
interventions necessary for a population suffering from a disease without effective treatments”
(Steele et al., 2019, p, 103).
Word count 362
References
Mamun, M. A., & Griffiths, M. D. (2019). The assessment of internet addiction in Bangladesh:
Why are prevalence rates so different?.5Asian journal of psychiatry.
Steele, V. R., Ding, X., & Ross, T. J. (2019). Addiction: Informing drug abuse interventions with
brain networks. In5Connectomics5(pp. 101-122). Academic Press.
Volkow, N. D., & Boyle, M. (2018). Neuroscience of addiction: relevance to prevention and
treatment.5American Journal of Psychiatry,5175(8), 729-740.
Hello Tyler,
I really appreciate your post on neuro-informed counseling and thought you did a great job.
As professional counselors, I think it will be important for us to have a grasp on neuro-informed
counseling.
Thanks for sharing that you are in recovery as I am, too.
The textbook mentions how God can help change the way we think and says, “We have a mighty
King who can help us fight against negative and destructive thought patterns, no matter how
deeply ingrained they are” (Simmons et al., 2020, pg. 550). It’s kind of a relief that our minds
have the capability to change overtime as we grow as people.
I never really thought about how neuroscience and addiction go hand in hand. It’s neat to know
that substance abuse arises from when neurons are damaged and no longer can perform the
standard purpose sending chemical messages to receptors. I think it can be very helpful to the
healing process when people going through addiction understand what is going on in their brain.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and meditation techniques can be very helpful when practice
neuro-informed counseling with clients (Simmons et al., 2020).
I really enjoyed the podcast of The Thoughtful Counselor where Dr. Oliver Morgan shares how
neuroscience has shaped his view on addiction and recovery. Dr. Oliver Morgan has gone
through addiction and treatment himself. The podcast mentions how Dr. Oliver Morgan studies
motivational interviewing, medication assistment treatment, and family based inventions.
Thanks again and enjoy the rest of your week.
References:
Raissa, M. (Producer). (2020, January 14). EP153: Contemporary Thoughts on Addiction and
Recovery – A Conversation with Dr. Oliver Morgan on How Learning Neuroscience has
Influenced his Teaching and Practice5 [Audio Podcast]. The Thoughtful Counselor. Retrieved
from5https://wp.me/p7R6fn-XbU.
Simmons, R., Lilley, S., & Kuhnley, A.K. (Eds). (2020).5Introduction to Counseling: Integration
of Faith, Professional Identity, and Clinical Practice. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt.
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