Mrs Sheila Clewer

Introduction

In this assignment I will reflect upon ‘Neuroscience’ as a contemporary development in the field of understanding how neuroscience can inform my understanding of adults suffering within Social and Personal Relationships, with possible consequences relating to stress.

I will explore my own feelings about neuroscience and its implications to working as a Gestalt therapist in my counselling agency and my own personal experience as a counsellor, reflecting upon anti-oppressive practice, ethical considerations and frameworks.

Understanding of personal relationships

Many connections are made, and pruned in the brain shaped by our experiences, and interacts with genes (characteristics from one generation to next). (Stiles & Jernigan, 2010) implies if we do not use it we lose it. Yes, but you could explain more fully

Gerhardt (2004) states adult emotional behaviour can only be an aid to our understanding of emotional life for we are the result of complex histories inscribed in organisms whose systems have already evolved in time, and that we need to go back to the origin of life as the social brain is shaped during the first two years of life. In particular, certain biochemical chemicals can be released affecting the stress response within an individual. (Gerhardt, 2004, p.19). (Appendix1.)

Stress is the extreme end of emotional regulation. It is a state of high arousal that is proving to be difficult to manage. When experiences seem challenging the normal homeostatic mechanisms are threatened and the stress response is triggered by the hypothalamus. (explain)

The stress response is a cascade of chemicals that enable us to function throughout the day. Cortisol which is a key player in our emotional lives generates energy for the day whilst serotonin helps us to relax. When a child or adult feels threatened these chemicals go out of balance and the relational attachment can impact to-days situations. This would be clearer

The imbalance can also...