The Importance of Affective Neuroscience for Child Psychotherapy

ABSTRACT In this article, I will discuss how affective neuroscience can help us be better child therapists. I will highlight several important contributions of affective neuroscience, especially theory and research on SEEKING, PLAY, separation distress, and the role of positive emotion systems in child mental health. I will describe how these ideas deepen our understanding of healthy and pathological emotional development in childhood and inform our therapeutic work with both children and parents. I will also discuss the importance of feelings of pride and shame – vital aspects of children’s emotional lives that have not yet been extensively studied by affective neuroscience. I will briefly describe an integrative model for child therapy, informed by both psychodynamic theory and affective neuroscience. Our most successful interventions with children and families set in motion positive cycles of healthy emotional and interpersonal experiences – increased confidence and engagement in life and more affirming interactions between parents and children. In this way, we help troubled children and families reclaim some of the joyousness and wonder of childhood.