Brain science at its current level of development offers enough facts to support a new way of approaching psychotherapy. This seems true even though the quality of the data available is not yet adequate to qualify brain-based psychotherapy as “empirically based” intervention. Despite the absence of clinical outcome research to support brain-based interventions, the neuroscience approach can positively influence theoretical conceptualization of the process of psychotherapy as well as immediate clinical application.

A framework for understanding brain processes related to psychotherapy was outlined in Part 1 of this book. Neuropsychologically based consideration of input, processing, and output of information by clients helps clarify the ways clients process experiences, and neuropsychological understanding of brain processes can thereby help identify the best means for guiding clients toward positive change. A richer and more complete understanding of how clients process and respond to their experiences in life is derived from recognition of levels of processing ranging from lower brain general arousal systems to mid-brain affective processing to higher cortical cognition; this understanding is enhanced by simultaneous recognition of the various ways each of these levels influences the others. The overarching concept of neural networks ties together the various systems managing information and behavior throughout the brain. The concept of neural networks suggests how past and present experiences are connected and how new, more adaptive connections can be developed.