Moving away from the binary opposite’s way of thinking, in reality the mind/body is joined together on a continuum of differing expressions of mind and body symptoms. This is due to the interconnectivity of our emotions, thoughts, body reactions and behaviours. It’s understandable that with mental health having been the poorer relation all these years there’s now a push for equal recognition but I really don’t want it to be at the expense of an alternate perpetuation of the mind/body split. Undoubtedly the persistence of the concept however false continues because there are many factors including now being deeply entrenched in the western cultural psyche. In terms of public health if we are serious about addressing wellbeing issues then we need to be and think more integrative. This requires an attitude and psychological shift, equally so on a personal level as well to help put into proper context the superficiality of seeing/thinking that our minds and bodies are separate.
As a counsellor I have to acknowledge that even talking therapy largely propagates and operates according to the mind/body split however much we may think we keep the body in mind through our attention to body language of a client in the room. Current approaches to psychological distress either address the body/brain (medications) or the mind (all “talking cures”) reflecting the professional beliefs as to the cause of the illness. Personally although I believe wholeheartedly in the power of talk therapy from personal and professional experience I am now very mindful of the body by understanding a client’s relationship with their body. Not just a client’s physical health as an indication of their wellbeing and expressions of stress/distress. Dissociation comes in many guises and if we’re not in touch with our emotions arguably we aren’t in touch with the bodily aspect of our being. Trauma work particularly highlights the symbiotic nature of the mind/body connection and as a therapist whose philosophy is to engage with the whole person everything about my clients are kept in mind and taken into consideration.
The neuroscience of resilience – this article gives a small of example of the interconnectedness of the mind/body and how the process of therapy heals in various ways. Counsellors and psychotherapists have been working intrinsically with it for many years and the now the science is serving to confirm the benefits of the therapeutic relationship.
As a counsellor I have to acknowledge that even talking therapy largely propagates and operates according to the mind/body split however much we may think we keep the body in mind through our attention to body language of a client in the room. Current approaches to psychological distress either address the body/brain (medications) or the mind (all “talking cures”) reflecting the professional beliefs as to the cause of the illness. Personally although I believe wholeheartedly in the power of talk therapy from personal and professional experience I am now very mindful of the body by understanding a client’s relationship with their body. Not just a client’s physical health as an indication of their wellbeing and expressions of stress/distress. Dissociation comes in many guises and if we’re not in touch with our emotions arguably we aren’t in touch with the bodily aspect of our being. Trauma work particularly highlights the symbiotic nature of the mind/body connection and as a therapist whose philosophy is to engage with the whole person everything about my clients are kept in mind and taken into consideration.
The neuroscience of resilience – this article gives a small of example of the interconnectedness of the mind/body and how the process of therapy heals in various ways. Counsellors and psychotherapists have been working intrinsically with it for many years and the now the science is serving to confirm the benefits of the therapeutic relationship.
RSS Feed
