Therapy can Change your Brain

Very much like the human who carries it, our brain is a very social creature. Our life circumstances, the relationships we have, experiences we have – all of these are influencing the development of our brain. The newest research in neuroscience shows that too many negative experiences will result in developing certain neural patterns that can lead to various mental illnesses.

The good news: Psychotherapy can change the brain.

Our social experiences and relationships form our neural patterns throughout our entire life. If we repeatedly have a negative experience it will not only leave a mark on our soul, but it will be imprinted in our brain as well. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a deeply traumatic experience like an abuse, for example. The experience of a parent’s lack of sensitivity in childhood is sufficient to leave such a mark.

Empathy is everything. It’s the base for successful psychotherapy.

1) Having and developing a warm, caring, non-judgmental relationship with a psychotherapist is a meaningful step to de-wire negative neural patterns. By experiencing a positive, appreciative relationship, negative/ destructive relationship experiences of the past can be overwritten.

2) Since we know that repetition is powerful, we can use this knowledge to enforce positive experiences. A therapist can guide the client to build positive patterns through new thoughts and deeply-felt experiences.

3) Not all patterns are conscious – actually, most are not. And a lot of what can make us feel down is imprinted in the subconscious part of our brain. The good thing is, those patterns can be changed by connecting to past and current subconscious experiences and turning them into positive thought patterns. This can be achieved by hypnotherapy, for instance, or by systemic constellations.

Neuroscience gives us physical evidence of how important it is to shape our life into one that holds meaning and happiness. This is a step by step process for which we can also receive support as we go along. A good therapy builds awareness and raises consciousness that changes our life forever.

Psychologist & Director