Psychotherapeutic and Neuro-

scientific Concepts of Human

Development
641 - Child Counseling

Presented by:
Abdullah Ali Farhan
Shamain Nisar
Zahra J. Naqvi
I. Developmental Psychology
What is Developmental Psychology?
•The study of human
development across the
entire lifespan .
•Studies cognitive
functioning , sexual,
psychological, motor
development, social
interaction etc.
•Divides progression into
stages: Infancy, Childhood,
Adolescence, Adulthood
• Two (2) main theories:
Freud’s Psychosexual,
Erickson’s 8 Stages
Freud’s Psychosexual Stages of
Personality Development
Erikson’s “Eight Stages of Man”
II. Neuroscience
Origin of Neuroscience
 Key Neuroscience Concepts
The Brain
• Humans are emotional beings rather
than thinking beings, who have
emotions.
• The brain conducts many actions
automatically and below conscious
level.
• Automatic functions that occur in the
brain are located primarily in the
occipital, parietal and temporal lobes
whilst, the conscious control actions
take place in the cerebral cortex.
• The brain is plastic; it changes due to
environmental influences.
• Although, all brains are similar, no
two brains are alike.
• Human brains differ from non human
brains.
• The construction of meaning for the
brain is different from the processing
of information.
 Neurons
• Neurons are electrically
excitable cells that
process and transmit
information within the
brain by electrical-
chemical signaling.
• Neurons communicate
with each other within the
brain and spinal cord
• They are interconnected
into networks that have
chemical and electrical
communication systems.
Neurotransmitters
Neuroplasticity
III. Psychotherapy
 What is Psychotherapy?
• several approaches -
including cognitive-
behavioral,
interpersonal etc.
• collaborative
treatment between
therapist & client
• Based on dialogue
 Signs that you could benefit from
Psychotherapy
• You feel an overwhelming,
prolonged sense of helplessness
and sadness.
• Your problems don't seem to get
better despite your efforts and
help from family and friends.
• You find it difficult to
concentrate on work assignments
or to carry out other everyday
activities.
• You worry excessively, expect
the worst or are constantly on
edge.
• Your actions, such as drinking too
much alcohol, using drugs or
being aggressive, are harming
you or others.
Different Psychotherapy Types
IV. Neuropsychotherapy
 What is Neuropsychotherapy?
• interplay between the
mind, body, social
interaction, and the
environment on a
person’s well being
• focus on
neuroscientific research
• any psychotherapeutic
approach that has been
informed by
neuroscience
Who is a Neuropsychotherapist?
• a psychotherapist who
uses neuroscience to
enhance his or her
psychotherapeutic
interventions
• solid knowledge of the
neurobiological
foundation of
individuals’ mental
states and behavior
 Methods and Techniques for
Neuropsychotherapy

• Mindsight Techniques
• HEAL Strategy
• Eye Movement
Desensitization and
Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Brainspotting
• Coherence Therapy
 Conclusion
• Neuropsychotherapy aims
to change the brain, but it
does not directly target
primarily the brain but
focuses on the life
experiences encountered by
the person.
• Strives to shift the brain
into a state that enables
these basic needs to be
fully satisfied
~Fin