A Neuroscience Perspective for Working With
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not to draw too much from our own experiences as children , nor our experiences as caregivers . As we progress as counselors , we must ensure that we monitor countertransference , our own emotional stability , and self-regulation , in addition to familiarizing ourselves with technology .
Once these principles are embraced , meaningful work can happen , and we can expand the impact of our work by infusing meaningful elements of neuroscience into it .
The prospect of learning neuroscience can feel overwhelming . As with any biological science , neuroscience is a field known for complex terminology , and it does require CMHCs to gain significant additional training to develop familiarity and expertise . Knowledge of fundamental neuroanatomy and physiology is critical to our ability to understand the neuroscience that underpins commonly known approaches such as interpersonal
neurobiology . Without this knowledge , counselors would be unable to determine whether an intervention is built on strong neurological evidence . Possibly the best current examples of this are mirror neurons ( we still have no human studies that substantiate this finding in primates ) and polyvagal theory by Stephen Porges , PhD , which lacks research evidence to substantiate some of its claims .
Furthermore , we counselors can share this information with our clients in a manner that facilitates self-understanding and self-acceptance . Raissa Miller , PhD , LPC , coined the term “ neuroeducation ” to denote when counselors teach their clients about elements of neuroscience that are likely to impact their lived experience . She , along with Eric T . Beeson , PhD , LPC , NCC , ACS , CRC , are coauthors of the 2020 book , “ The Neuroeducation Toolbox : Practical Translations of Neuroscience in Counseling and Psychotherapy .”
On the next few pages is our take on what a neuroscienceinformed counseling practice looks like . continued on page 16
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The Advocate Magazine 2022 , Issue # 2 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org 15