Neuroscience

Workshop Description:

For therapists and counsellors, it can be easy to be overwhelmed by neuroscience. We know we need to understand the brain, but where do we start, and what do we really need to know? This workshop distils the key findings of contemporary neuroscience, and offers practical applications that will be immediately helpful in client work. We look at the function of the brain and its basic structure; how brain plasticity applies throughout the lifespan; and the impact of genetics, environmental influences, trauma and abuse. We look at specific types of mental distress, such as depression, anxiety and OCD, and their manifestation in the brain, and conclude with a look at the most up-to-date research on habit formation.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the function of the brain, and understand why it is structured in the way it is.
2. Apply their understanding of specific forms of mental distress and their manifestation in the brain to their work with clients.
3. Understand and apply modern understanding of habit change to client work.