Sherrie All – Neuroscience and the Modern Clinician: Connect Science, Research, and Biology to Your Treatment Plans for Anxiety

Outline

How Neuroscience Can Enhance Therapy:How Neuroscience Can Enhance Therapy:

What (and Why) Clinicians Need to Know About the Nervous SystemWhat (and Why) Clinicians Need to Know About the Nervous System

• Brain basics – structure and function Brain basics – structure and function
  • 12 structures you need to know12 structures you need to know
  • How the brain organizesHow the brain organizes
• Key pathways involved in common disorders Key pathways involved in common disorders
  • Pain pathwayPain pathway
  • Reward pathwayReward pathway
  • Fear-stress pathwayFear-stress pathway
• Default Mode and Task Mode NetworksDefault Mode and Task Mode Networks
• Impact of relationships on our nervous system Impact of relationships on our nervous system
  • Mirror neuronsMirror neurons
  • OxytocinOxytocin
• Simple explanations and 3-D brain model for clientsSimple explanations and 3-D brain model for clients
• How neurobiology can help you to determine treatment methods and set goalsHow neurobiology can help you to determine treatment methods and set goals
• ”Our brains” and objectivity in therapy”Our brains” and objectivity in therapy
• Limitations of “brain-based” approachesLimitations of “brain-based” approaches

Neuroplasticity and the Potential for ChangeNeuroplasticity and the Potential for Change

• Hype vs. the “two-way” street of brain plasticityHype vs. the “two-way” street of brain plasticity
• Physical vs. functional change – structural or at the synapsePhysical vs. functional change – structural or at the synapse
• The strength of connectionsThe strength of connections
• Timeframes for changeTimeframes for change
• How neuroplasticity can help you foster change How neuroplasticity can help you foster change
  • Explaining neuroplasticity to clientsExplaining neuroplasticity to clients

Treatment Strategies and Interventions for Common Disorders Treatment Strategies and Interventions for Common Disorders (And the Neuroscience Behind Them) (And the Neuroscience Behind Them)

AnxietyAnxiety

• The neural bases of threat processingThe neural bases of threat processing
• Key CBT concepts and techniquesKey CBT concepts and techniques
• Combining cognitive work with: Combining cognitive work with:
  • Mindful awareness of emotionsMindful awareness of emotions
  • Get physical – how using the body can ease anxiety symptomsGet physical – how using the body can ease anxiety symptoms
  • Breathing exercises and relaxation trainingBreathing exercises and relaxation training

Depression Depression

• The depressed brain – structural and functionalThe depressed brain – structural and functional
• The neural interrelationships of depression and anxietyThe neural interrelationships of depression and anxiety
• Behavioral activation – get active!Behavioral activation – get active!
• Mindfulness as an adjunctive approachMindfulness as an adjunctive approach
• Compassion, gratitude and depressive symptomsCompassion, gratitude and depressive symptoms

TraumaTrauma

• Malleability of memory: implications for trauma treatmentMalleability of memory: implications for trauma treatment
• How childhood trauma changes the developmental trajectory of the brainHow childhood trauma changes the developmental trajectory of the brain
• Polyvagal Theory, trauma and the body – the researchPolyvagal Theory, trauma and the body – the research
• Imagery techniques – imaginal exposureImagery techniques – imaginal exposure
• Grounding and interoceptionGrounding and interoception

StressStress

• How stress impacts the nervous systemHow stress impacts the nervous system
• The adverse effects of long-term stress exposureThe adverse effects of long-term stress exposure
• The role of the stress/fear pathwayThe role of the stress/fear pathway
• CBT-based coping skills for stressful situationsCBT-based coping skills for stressful situations

Substance Use DisordersSubstance Use Disorders

• Brain areas involved in addictionBrain areas involved in addiction
• Pleasure and pain pathwaysPleasure and pain pathways
• Prefrontal connections and judgementPrefrontal connections and judgement
• How addiction can change the brainHow addiction can change the brain
• Motivational InterviewingMotivational Interviewing
• Contingency managementContingency management

The Limitations of Neuroscientific Research and Potential Treatment RisksThe Limitations of Neuroscientific Research and Potential Treatment Risks

• fMRI imaging – blood flow vs. neuronal activityfMRI imaging – blood flow vs. neuronal activity
• How only looking at brain activations produces an incomplete pictureHow only looking at brain activations produces an incomplete picture
• Neuroscientific studies, sample size, and validityNeuroscientific studies, sample size, and validity
• Animal research – directly applicable to humans?Animal research – directly applicable to humans?
• Psychotherapeutic techniques – specific limitations and risksPsychotherapeutic techniques – specific limitations and risks