“The task is… not so much to see what no one has yet seen; but to think what nobody has yet thought, about that which everybody sees.”
Erwin Schrödinger
It is challenging to describe in simple terms the many distinctions present in this neurobiological paradigm and the practical treatment approaches of Complex Integration of Multiple Brain Systems.
It is useful to imagine viewing the emotional brain systems and their dynamic interactions through a series of lenses.
The example of this illustration shows the therapist using a magnifying lens to facilitate the capabilities of the Safe, Care and Connection subcortical brain systems. You can also look through the therapeutic relationship lens and see how the therapist is engaging with several different levels of the patient’s nervous system. The awareness lens helps the therapist and patient differentiate the activations of the Shame, Fear, Safe, and Connection systems. The lens of nonconscious emotional systems enables the therapist to value the significant emotional resources that remain nonconscious. The therapeutic process lens highlights the importance of working in the transpiring present moment for the most beneficial experiential emotional learning.
The following are Major elements and unique features of this paradigm and its applications that enable therapists to be more effective and fulfilled in their work:
Incorporates Relevant neurobiological knowledge
“Affective neuroscience can help clinicians be more systematic and more effect in therapy; less dependent on treatment modality and intuition.” [Panksepp, Davidson]
Empirical process and empirical reasoning
“Whatever you are experiencing right now will guide our process today.” pp. 146-150.
Therapeutic Perspectives and Approaches
Examples: working in the transpiring present moment, mobilizing nonconscious emotional resources, developing a therapeutic attachment relationship.
Challenges
Examples: Emotional brain systems are unfamiliar, Working with nonconscious brain systems takes practice. Sometimes counterintuitive.
Training
This paradigm inspires and empowers therapists to engage in deliberate practices to discover and enhance their own emotional resources and practice new interventions.
If you are interested learning how to integrate emotional [affective] neuroscience into your work as a clinician, there are several avenues to explore.
Experiential learning of this paradigm is the best. There are five experiential learning approaches:
1] 16 published 5-6 hour video-courses can be purchased on the website that have 4-5 CEU’s included.
2] You could reach out to one of the certified CIMBS therapists listed on the website for a few personal training sessions. Unfortunately, doing psychotherapy across state lines in not legal in most states.
3] Several CIMBS therapists do monthly small group trainings, some in person and some on Zoom.
4] Monthly CIMBS peer-consultation group; see the website
5] Annual two day in-person CIMBS training courses in Seattle.
The book Complex Integration of Multiple Brain Systems in Therapy is available from the publisher, W.W. Norton, or from Amazon. It is also available and recommended as an audiobook. The advantage of the audiobook, is that you learn about CIMBS in small bites.