REWIRING THE SELF: A Neuroscience-informed journey to Healing

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By My. D - Clinical/CBT Psychologist & Integrative Practitioner

Introduction

THE BRAIN IN THE THERAPY ROOM

«Your Mind isn’t Broken ; It’s adaptively wired and Together, we can rewire it for Resilience and Thrive».

Modern Therapy transcends «Talk». It is a dynamic Neurobiological collaboration.

When anxiety, depression, trauma or Life transitions feel overwhelming, it is not merely «Thoughts» or «Behaviors» at play ; Rather, it is your Living Brain signaling distress through intricate Neural Networks shaped by Biology, lived Experience and Culture.

As a Clinical/CBT Psychologist with advanced training in Neuroscience and integrative holistic frameworks, I approach individual Therapy as a process of targeted Neuroplastic reorganization.

We don’t just manage symptoms ; We harness your Brain’s innate capacity to reconfigurations to heal, rebuild resilience and unlock authentic and enduring thriving.

This is where cutting-edge Science meets profound human transformation.

I- The Neuroscience of Adult Distress

→ Understanding your inner Landscape

Why do you feel stuck? Why do you feel worthless and cursed?

Your Brain has a story to tell, and it’s written in Neural pathways.

A/ Anxiety & Chronic Worry: The Hijacked Alarm System

Neurobiology: Hyperactive Amygdala (Fear center) + weakened Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) regulation → runaway «Threat detection»

Holistic Roots: Genetic vulnerability/early Attachment patterns/Chronic Stress (HPA axis dysfunction = adrenal fatigue or exhaustion)/ Cultural pressures.

As a quick explanation amid HPA axis dysfunction, Hypothalamus-led Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis is a hormone-based system that regulates the body’s reaction to stress, ensuring that it can respond immediately to stressful events, then return to a normal state just as swiftly. Whenever you experience stress, your Brain communicates this Feeling to the adrenal glands, alerting them to produce stress hormones.A stressful situation triggers a reaction in the Hypothalamus located inside the Brain, which then continues through the pituitary gland and ends in the adrenal glands. These adrenals produce several Hormones, such as Cortisol and Adrenaline that play a decisive role in your «fight or flight» decision-making reaction to stress. As a consequence of this release of hormones, you become more alert and Glucose is released in the bloodstream to supply Energy to fight or run.

Psychosomatic Manifestations: Panic, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorders), Social anxiety, Phobias

B/ Depression: The Dimmed Neural Network

Neurobiology: Underactive reward circuits (ventral striatum consisting of the nucleus accumbens and the olfactorry tubercle) is a critical component of your Brain’s reward system along the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC), reduced BDNF (Brain growth factor), heightened inflammation → Impaired Motivation/Pleasure

Holistic Roots: Epigenetic triggers, unresolved Grief, chronic pain/illness, relational trauma, societal disconnection

Manifestations: Fatigue, Hopelessness, emotional numbness

C/ Trauma: When the Past is Present

Neurobiology:

• Hyperarousal: Amygdala on constant alert

• Fragmentation: Hypocampus (memory) dysregulation → Flashbacks

• Somatic imprints: Brainstem/Body memory (trapped Survival Energy)

• Holistic Roots: Acute shock (accidents, assaults) or developmental trauma (childhood neglect/abuse), Cultural/systemic oppression)

D/ Life Transitions & Identity Shifts: Rewiring the Self

Neurobiology: Default Mode Network (DMN) disruption during major change (Career loss, Divorce, Migration, Aging).

Holistic Roots: Cultural expectations, Family narratives, unmet existential needs.

Patient’s case study example: Elena, 42

Clinical symptoms: Elena suffered from Migraines, Panic Attacks and a paralyzing Fear of failure emerged after her promotion.

Neuroscience-informed assessment revealed:

• Biologically: Genetic predisposition to Anxiety (Serotonin transporter Gene)

• Psychologically: Childhood «perfection» = Love Conditioning

• Culturally: Pressure as a first-Gen immigrant to «succeed at all costs». Her Brain interpretated Professional success as Threat - triggering limbic overload

II- THE «THERAPY» Framework: Your Neuroscience-informed Pathway

This is where theory transforms into tangible change. Each letter represents a pillar of Neural reorganization

T - Targeted Neural Plasticity Interventions

«Neurons that fire together, wire together» - Hebb’s Law

In Practice (Non exhaustive/limited to)

• Anxiety

a) Amygdala-PFC retraining via Neurofeedback-informed Breathwork

b) Graduated exposure with Somatic anchoring

• Depression

Activation of reward circuits through Behavioral stimulations tailored to sensory preferences (e.g. nature immersion for visual/kinesthetic types)

• Trauma

 Bilateral stimulation (tapping eye movements) to integrate fragmented Hipocampal-Amygdala memories

H - Holistic Biopsychocultural Mapping

Your Brain exists within nested ecosystems

Assessment includes:

• Biological: Genetic markers, gut-brain axis, inflammatory status

• Psychological: Attachment history, core beliefs, cognitive schemas

• Cultural/Social: Migration history, accumulative stress, family roles, systemic barriers

Why it matters?

For example, a Vietnamese Expat’s depression may stem from intergenerational trauma, isolation, maybe also partly encoded in the genetic memory.

- Demanding different Neural interventions than burnout in an Expat CEO in APAC with European origins.

E - Empowering Embodied Awareness

Healing begins when we listen to the Body’s wisdom (insula/somasensory Cortex)

• Some Techniques

1- Introspective Tracking: «Where do you feel shame in your Body? Describe its texture»

2- Somatic Resourcing: Grounding through weighted blankets, movement, vocal toning to regulate the vagus nerve

3- Outcome: Patients decode Physical sensations before Emotional overwhelm

→ building a «Neural Pause button»

R - Rewiring Relational & Emotional Schemes

Updating outdated «internal working models» via Memory Reconsolidation

• Process

1. Identify schema: «I must earn Love through achievement».

2. Activate schema in session (evoke emotion).

3. Introduce disconfirming experience (Therapist attunement/new perspective).

4. Neural Shift: Old schema updates → new pathway forms

Observation:

Neuroscience basis: NMDA receptor activation enables Reconsolidation

The Brain contains cells called Neurons responsible for sending and receiving electrical impulses that control your Body. Neurons are specialized - Each one dealing with certain types of Information. The Chemicals that send Information from Neuron to Neuron are called neurotransmitters. Amongst the better-known, Serotonin (involved in the sleep cycle) and Dopamine (dealing with Movement and Addiction)

For a Neurotransmitter to move signals through a Neuron, it first has to «unlock» it. Neurotransmitters have precisely keys that open the lock on a Neuron’s Receptors, which then allows Information to flow through your neurons. NMDA Receptors (N-Methyl-D-Aspartate) which describes the chemical make-up of the receptors, represent a critical part in Neuroplasticity, obviously including the ability to form new pathways. NMDA Receptors can be activated («unlocked») by binding with an assortment of Neurotransmitters including Glutamate, Aspartate, Glycine, D-Serine. Working with these Neurotransmitters to rev up activity in areas of your Brain that enhance your learning abilities while boosting Memory, NMDA Receptors stimulate, «excite» the Neurons.However, prolonged exposure to excitation, Overexcitation (excitotoxicity) causes the latter to die. Hence, to keep excitotoxicity from killing your Brain cells, other Neurotransmitters (Inhibitors) calm the Neurons down.

A - Activation Adaptive Resilience Networks

Building robust Neurobiological «shock absorbers»

• Tools: (non exhaustive list)

1- Cognitive Flexibility Training: PFC strengthening via Perspecting-shifting exercices.

2- BDNF Boosters: Aerobic exercice protocols, Omega-3 optimization, Mindfulness.

3- Vagus Nerve Toning: Humming, cold exposure, Social (in-person) connection.

P - Process-Oriented Integration (Top-Down + Bottom-Up)

Where Cognition meets Sensation for enduring change

• Synergy in Action:

1- Top-Down (Cortical): CBT (Cognitive/Behavioral Therapy) reframing of catastrophic thoughts

2- Bottom-Up (Subcortical): Somatic releasing of trapped tension in Shoulders/Abdomen.

→ Integrated Neural Outcome: Thought AND Feeling align in safety.

Y - Yielding Sustainable Thriving & Purpose

Beyond Symptom relief - toward ventral stratium (reward) + DMN (self) coherence.

• Thriving Markers:

1- Values-aligned decisions

2- Authentic Connection

3- Post-traumatic growth

• Neurobiological Signature:

  Coherent DMN-PFC- Somatosensory oscillation.

III - HEALING IN ACTION

Neuroscience Applications for Complex Challenges

Trauma Recovery: Beyond Coping to Reorganization

• Phase 1: Safety & Stabilization

  Polyvagal-informed grounding → regulating Brainstem survival states.

• Phase 2: Memory Integration

  Somatic Experiencing + narrative coherence → Hippocampal-Amygdala recalibration

• Phase 3: Reconnection

  Rewiring Social engagement circuits (ventral vagal activation)

Anxiety/OCD: Calming the Neural Alarm

• Step 1: Reduce Amygdala reactivity via progressive interoceptive exposure.

• Step 2: Strengthen PFC «brakes» through attention bias modification training

• Step 3: Rewire predictive coding errors («This meeting won’t kill me»).

Existential & Identity Transitions:

Rewiring the Self-Narrative

• Neural Tools: Future-Self visualisation → activation DMN prospection + striatal reward.

• Cultural Integration: Honoring ancestral resilience patterns while forging new paths

IV - MY DISTINCTIVE APPROACH

The Integrative Neuroscientist-Practioner

«I don’t treat diagnoses. I collaborate with your nervous system’s innate wisdom.

Likewise the Cosmos, of which you are a miniature, you are majestically invincible.» ©My.D

• Beyond modalities: Weaving CBT, ACT, Psychodynamic insights, IFS parts work and somatic Therapies through a Plasticity lens

• Empowerment through PsychoEducation: Teaching Patients «Your Anxiety loop is this Neural pathway. Let’s find another one Together, and here’s How we reshape it».

• Lifestyles as Neurotherapy: Sleep hygiene, anti-inflammatory nutrition and movement recommendations tailored to your inner Neurobiology.

CONCLUSION

Your Neurological Renaissance Awaits

Healing is not passive recovery ; It’s active neurogenesis.

Whether you carry the weight of Trauma, the ache of Depression or the disorientation of Life’s transitions, your Brain retains a remarkable capacity to reconfiguration, reorganize toward Resilience.

In our work Together, we honor your unique Biopsycultural tapestry while applying the precise Neuroscience «keys» to unlock enduring Change.

This is a Therapy that doesn’t just scratch the fuzzy surface ;

This is a Therapy that rewires the core of your inner and authentic thriving.

Your journey from survival to blossoming begins with a single Neural connection ; Reach Out