Janina Fisher – Brain-to-Brain: Mastering the Neurobiological Waltz

Outline

• Therapeutic relationship as dance between attachment systems
• Impact of early childhood experiences on attachment and affect regulation
  • Arousal and self-regulation
  • Secure v. insecure context
• Brain structures and systems related to self-regulation of affect
  • Functions of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system
  • Consequences of hypoarousal and hyperarousal
• Unconscious nature of early attachment experiences
  • Body memory/somatic learning
  • Approach v. avoidance
• Therapeutic relationship and managing sense of threat
  • Styles of attachment
  • Unconscious nature of body memory
  • Nonverbal cues and therapeutic communication
• Successful regulation of arousal
  • Optimal window of arousal
  • Sources of therapist dysregulation
  • Identifying somatic transference and countertransference
• Sensorimotor Psychotherapy
  • Impact of internal dialog, labeling
  • Mind/body integration
  • Integrating mindfulness practices
• Co-regulation in interpersonal psychotherapy
  • Effective methods of communication
  • Connecting and integrating sensory perceptions
  • Experimentation as technique
• Working brain to brain
  • Role of mirror neurons
  • Social engagement system
  • Flowing with resistance
• Summary