Shift # 1 : Neuroscience
HIGHLIGHTS FROM AMHCA ’ S 2023 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
KEYNOTE ADDRESS Five Critical Shifts for Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the 21st Century
In their work with clients , Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors ( LCMHCs ) can expect to face five major developmental movements in the 21st century . These challenges have raised obstacles to our clients ’ well-being , compromising their interpersonal relationships as well as their work environments .
Mental health professionals will need to arm themselves with transformative clinical tools to meet contemporary concerns that will plague humankind for decades to come .
Here , I lay out a map for meeting the current and future challenges for mental health professionals . This map focuses on five critical shifts : neuroscience , climate change , political unrest , race-based stress , and emancipatory research .
It is the prefrontal cortex ( PFC ) that comes to the rescue to meditate the amygdala ’ s automatic reaction to stress . It is where emotional regulation occurs , and better decision-making takes place . The PFC is also the home of both temporary and enduring self-care for individuals .
Temporary self-care helps to relieve stress during certain activities , such as exercising , eating right , sleeping well , or taking a bubble bath . However , the positive feelings tend to wane shortly after the activity ends . Enduring self-care promotes long-term changes in our brain ’ s neuroplasticity , literally rewiring the brain ( see my YouTube video : Enduring Self-Care bit . ly / 3QeOktN ).
continued on page 12
Shift # 1 : Neuroscience
As many of us have learned over the past few years , neuroscience-informed counseling explores how different counseling theories and interventions influence and change neurobiology and help to facilitate client wellness . We are now utilizing various neuroscience-informed counseling methods . Some of these methods include neuro-education , neurofeedback , and metaphor-based approaches .
Neuroeducation has become more commonplace in our clinical work as we apply our understanding of neuroplasticity , brain structures and functions , as well as memories . In our professional development venues , we now see vendors in our exhibit halls that promote formal tools , such as neurofeedback equipment .
However , we are also using informal tools , including smart watches , smartphones , and fitness trackers . In addition , our profession has finally accepted the use of mindfulness and meditation as clinical intervention tools to apply more metaphor-based approaches .
Why this interest in neuroscience-informed counseling ? We recognize the role of stress and its impact on brain functioning . LCMHCs may have suspected this , even applied this before the breakthrough in neuroscience that emphasized the plasticity of the brain . Now , we have evidence to support our suppositions . Stress automatically activates the amygdala , causing the flightor-fight response , causing responses such as increased heart rate and sweaty palms .
Cirecie A . West-Olatunji , PhD , delivered one of AMHCA ’ s two keynote addresses at its June 2023 conference
Dr . West-Olatunji is the Melba Fortuné Martinez Endowed Professor in the counselor education program and currently serves as director of the Center for Equity , Justice , and the Human Spirit at Xavier University of Louisiana . The founding director of the Center for Traumatic Stress Research ( CTSR ), she is a past president of the American Counseling Association ( ACA ) and the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development ( AMCD ). In addition , she has served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development ( JMCD ). Her publications include two co-authored books , numerous book chapters , and over 60 articles in peer-reviewed journals . In addition , in 2018 , Dr . Cirecie West-Olatunji was recognized as an ACA Fellow .
The Advocate Magazine 2023 , Issue # 2 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org 11