Collaborative Therapy and Neurobiology: Evolving Practices in Action

155 Pages·2017·4.913 MB·English

by  Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin, Jim Duvall

“This text offers the reader the opportunity to experience a pivotal
moment in their journey as a systemic therapist informed by modern
brain science. As all behavior is understood within its context; neurobi-
ology is an essential component of this context. For those who embrace
general systems theory, yet fully understand that our behaviors and
thoughts are governed by neurology, this book is an essential resource.
While we intuitively know the connection between collaborative therapy
and neurobiology, this text offers a road map for therapists working with
individuals, couples, and families within a clinical setting.”
—Peter D. Bradley, PhD, Cross Timbers Family
Therapy, pllc; Northcentral University
“This exciting, innovative book shows ways of integrating two disparate
clinical practices without losing sight of their differences. Beginning and
experienced therapists will appreciate the conceptual clarity and clinical
guidance provided by the interesting mix of chapters. No one has to leave
their skepticism behind while reading this book and few will finish it
without finding significant value in the ‘other’ way of working.”
—Kaethe Weingarten, PhD, founder/director,
the Witnessing Project
“By combining the literary sensibility of narratively-oriented practice
along with the rigor of neurological investigation, Beaudoin and Duvall
have achieved a remarkable marriage of two lenses on therapy. This
edited volume contains a treasure trove of material for practitioners curi-
ous about the synaptic activity accompanying conversations that make a
difference.”
—David Paré, PhD, full professor of counselling psychology,
University of Ottawa; director, The Glebe Institute, a Centre
for Constructive and Collaborative Practice; author,
Collaborative Practice in Counseling and Psychotherapy
“I love neuroscience and I love collaborative practices. For a long time,
I felt torn, as if these were two branches of my family that did not talk
to each other, and I was being disloyal to one of them by my interest in
the other. Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin, Jim Duvall, and their bright team
of contributors have created a bridge that allows neuroscience and col-
laborative therapy to enter into a fruitful dialogue. I am very grateful for
their innovative work, which enriches both fields and creates exciting
possibilities for therapy and beyond.”
—Margarita Tarragona, PhD, Grupo Campos
Elíseos & PositivaMente, Mexico City

Collaborative Therapy
and Neurobiology
Collaborative Therapy and Neurobiology is the book many clinicians
have been waiting for: an integration of twenty years of scientific and
therapeutic cutting-edge ideas into concrete clinical practices. Interper-
sonal neurobiology and the development of exciting new technologies
that allow us to better understand the brain have provided us with an
enriched perspective on human experience. Yet, many clinicians wonder
how to use this knowledge, and how these discoveries can actually ben-
efit their clients. In particular, what are the concrete practices that each
field uses to help clients overcome the issues in their lives, and how can
these fields build on each other’s ideas? Could minimally developed con-
cepts in each field be combined into innovative and powerful practices
to foster client wellbeing? This book offers a collection of writings that
provide theoretical food for thought, research evidence, and most impor-
tantly hands-on, concrete clinical ideas to enrich therapists’ work with
a variety of clients. Illustrated with numerous transcripts of conversa-
tions and clinical stories, the ideas in this book will stimulate the work of
people interested in renewing their practice with new ideas.
Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin, PhD , a pioneer in developing practical ways of
applying neurobiology, has published over thirty inspiring articles, DVDs,
and books, and has been featured in AAMFT’s Family Therapy. She is
the founder of SKIPS and maintains a private practice of clinical and
consulting services. Marie-Nathalie is an acclaimed international speaker,
well known for thought-provoking and energizing presentations. www.
mnbeaudoin.com
Jim Duvall, MEd, RSW, is the director of the JST Institute and has been
senior editor of Journal of Systemic Therapies for over ten years. He is
a consultant, trainer, and author who has facilitated hundreds of work-
shops and courses, and who has consulted with organizations throughout
Canada, the United States, Australia, and Asia. He has published numer-
ous articles, book chapters, and books, as well as co-authored a policy
paper about narrative therapy and brief collaborative practices. www.
jstinstitute.com

Collaborative Therapy
and Neurobiology
Evolving Practices in Action
Edited by Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin
and Jim Duvall
Foreword by Gene Combs
First published 2017
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2017 Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin and Jim Duvall
The right of Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin and Jim Duvall to be
identified as the authors of the editorial material, and of the authors
for their individual chapters, has been asserted in accordance with
sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical,
or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice : Product or corporate names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and
explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Beaudoin, Marie-Nathalie, editor. | Duvall, Jim, editor.
Title: Collaborative therapy and neurobiology : evolving practices in
action / edited by Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin and Jim Duvall ;
foreword by Gene Combs.
Description: New York, NY : Routledge, 2017 | Includes
bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016045310 | ISBN 9781138655447 (hardback :
alk. paper) | I SBN 9781138655454 (pbk. : alk. paper) | ISBN
9781315622484 (ebook)
Subjects: | MESH: Narrative Therapy—methods | Mindfulness |
Neurobiology—methods
Classification: LCC RC489.S74 NLM WM 420.5.N3 | DDC
616.89/165—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016045310
ISBN: 978-1-138-65544-7 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-65545-4 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-62248-4 (ebk)
Typeset in Sabon
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
To my husband and children who often invite me to
conceive of the inconceivable.
— Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin
To my partner, Caroline, who is always standing
alongside me, offering unwavering support as we
travel through many journeys together.
—Jim Duvall
To all the people who love to play with new ideas,
and in particular, to Michael White, who has
profoundly inspired us to constantly renew our
work.
—Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin and Jim Duvall

Contents
Foreword xi
GENE COMBS
List of Contributors xiv
Acknowledgments xix
Introduction: Merging Soft and Hard Sciences 1
MARIE-NATHALIE BEAUDOIN AND JIM DUVALL
SECTION I
Energizing Clinical Practices with Intriguing and
Cutting-Edge Ideas 13
1 Pivotal Moments, Therapeutic Conversations, and
Neurobiology: Landscapes of Resonance, Possibility,
and Purpose 15
JIM DUVALL AND ROBERT MACLENNAN
2 Helping Clients Thrive with Positive Emotions:
Expanding People’s Repertoire of Problem
Counter-States 28
MARIE-NATHALIE BEAUDOIN
3 From Implicit Experience to Explicit Stories 40
MAGGIE CAREY
4 Supporting Young Children Visited by Big Emotions:
Mindfulness, Emotion Regulation, and Neurobiology 50
SARA MARLOWE