Neurobiology and its Applications to Psychotherapy

Interpersonal Neurobiology and Couple Therapy

In this presentation, Dr Mona Fishbane discusses ways to integrate the wisdom of interpersonal neurobiology in couple therapy. She explores the neurobiology of passionate love and the challenges of nurturing long-term love; the health consequences of happy and unhappy relationships; what makes for relationship satisfaction; the dynamics of our automatic, emotional brain; how to bring prefrontal thoughtfulness to couple interactions; the dynamics of couple reactivity; emotion and emotion regulation; the neurobiology of empathy. Mona offers interventions informed by neurobiology, focusing on emotion regulation and empathy. The goal of therapy is to help couples become more relationally empowered, becoming their best selves, and co-constructing the “we” of their relationship. Mona shares how she helps the couple “get meta” to their own dance, co-authoring their interactions and building an intentional relationship. She explores the neurobiology of habits and change, and ways to facilitate change in therapy. In contrast to the reactive stance of unhappy couples, Mona offers ways to facilitate a “proactive” approach to loving.