In 2015, I sat across from my supervisor for clinical licensure as she discussed neuroplasticity—the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections, especially in response to learning, experience, or following injury. She seemed hopeful about the future in this regard.
Having studied and practiced Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) for several years by that point, I valued my chosen psychotherapeutic modality which serves as one of the initial forms of cognitive behavior therapy. As such, I wasn’t particularly interested in neuroscience.
Nevertheless, I was open to hearing my supervisor express her excitement about how the brain could essentially “rewire” itself, per my supervisor. She went on to discuss the potential implications which continued research would have for psychotherapists.
My supervisor said that in the future clients who experienced trauma may one day need little more than a month or so of treatment rather than ongoing management of their symptoms. Whereas management mitigates further harm, treatment implies recovery.
As an example, REBT uses the ABC model and unconditional acceptance to help people get better rather than merely feeling better. Through use of these treatment and management techniques, clients can learn to stop disturbing themselves with irrational beliefs.
This self-help approach to wellness requires understanding of, belief in, and frequent practice of REBT. Still, daily practice isn’t necessarily comfortable or easy. In sessions, I take an active-directive approach to behavioral health care and clients receive challenging homework exercises.
Disturbing themselves with unproductive beliefs about how therapy should be enjoyable, some clients abandon REBT altogether and instead search for snake oil—remedies of little value which are promoted as be-all, end-all solutions. And there’s lots of venomous oil for sale!
This brings me to neuroplasticity. My supervisor excitedly told me that one day clients could attend therapy for up to 30 days while learning to “rewire” their brains. This optimistic claim supports the notion of neurogenesis—the growth and development of nervous tissue.
According to one source, “Neuroplasticity was once thought by neuroscientists to manifest only during childhood, but research in the latter half of the 20th century showed that many aspects of the brain can be altered (or are “plastic”) even through adulthood.”
Being that I’ve been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, following multiple concussive events, I was interested to learn about how neuroplasticity could impact my neurological and psychological health. I wanted to believe in this phenomenon as much as my supervisor did.
Per one source, “In the human, adult neurogenesis has been shown to occur at low levels compared with development, and in only three regions of the brain: the adult subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles, the amygdala and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus.”
With purported impact on the hippocampus, I was also hopeful that neurogenesis would one day help with my diagnosed posttraumatic stress disorder condition. Although I could commit myself to daily practice of REBT, rewiring my brain was an intriguing notion worth considering.
However, almost a decade since my supervisor expressed excitement for the impact of neuroplasticity on the field of mental, emotional, and behavioral health, the oil peddled by some salespeople appears to be venomous. Take for instance what one source states:
All these case studies – examples of serious and grounded scientific practice – demonstrate that neural plasticity is central to contemporary neuroscientific research. They also show the importance of neural plasticity for the development of some of our unique cognitive functions.
However, the study of neural plasticity has also inspired a plethora of popular science books that have transformed the notion of neural plasticity into a panacea to solve all sort of difficulties and problems that humans can encounter throughout their lives.
These books hype plasticity, and claim to teach their readers methods to rewire the brain to change attitudes, improve health and fitness, reach personal goals, overcome negativity, increase mental sharpness and clarity, and have even promised to super-charge thinking through a set of strategies that help harness mental powers.
I hear the clinking of bottles containing the essence of belated creatures which once hissed. Don’t mistake what I’m saying, I’m not expressing with certainty that neuroplasticity is complete nonsense.
After all, I’m a psychotherapist and not a neuroscientist. I don’t know what I don’t know. Nonetheless, I take a critical approach to the claims of a human brain being able to “rewire” itself with significant improvement of physiological, psychological, or behavioral health.
One source argues that instead of rewiring itself, “what is occurring is merely the brain being trained to utilize already existing, but latent, abilities.” Building upon its already available resources appears to be the effect, rather than marvelously constructing something new.
I’m aware that many people may not wish to consider this perspective. Argumentation for realism appears like pessimism to one who irrationally and rigidly clings to optimism. I get it, because I was once hopeful regarding the promise of neuroplasticity.
However, hope doesn’t represent truth and reality. As much as one may wish for “good vibes” to affect rewiring of one’s brain; science, research, and development aren’t quite advanced enough at present to yield the effects of neuroplasticity and neurogenesis of which I was once informed.
Setting aside snake oil, I turn to REBT. This scientific approach to well-being was developed in 1955, and its evidence-based approach is effective at treating and managing a host of psychological conditions. This is the model I use in both my personal and professional life.
Perhaps one day advancements in science will reveal alternative approaches worthy of hope expressed by my former supervisor for clinical licensure. In the meantime, I invite you to consider what has helped people get better for just under seven decades: REBT.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
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