기독교상담을 위한 신경과학의 실천적 함의

Abstract

Recently the newly developed discipline of neuroscience has provided a new perspective on psychological problems and useful information for effective counseling interventions. The human brain's neuroplasticity is viewed as the basis for therapeutic interventions employed across various theories. Human begins are in nature pursuing meaningful relationships with others, and in this enterprise the social brain plays a pivotal role in executing and regulating human relational needs. The human brain is a biological organism that is very sensitive to a variety of external stimuli, especially the relational experiences of interactions with the primary caregivers. In particular unfavorable interactions repeatedly taking place between the child and caregiver negatively affects the brain's structure and function, thus hindering the smooth connection and cooperation between the left and right hemisphere and upper and lower regions in the brain. As a result, the child develops a pathological cognitive and emotional schematic and personality structure, making it difficult to form healthy relationships with other people and to lead a satisfying life. In this regard, neuroscience-informed psychotherapy is a dialogic process that brings about neuron-level changes, along with psychological and emotional changes by revitalizing the social brain. Here it is crucial that the counselor can provide his client with a new type of interpersonal relationship. In this therapeutic relationship, the Christian counselor is to view his clients as bearing God's image and provide them valuable opportunities for "correctional relational experiences" characterized by genuine acceptance, positive regard, and empathic understanding. In such a safe and holding environment, the client is likely to participate in the counseling process with hope for the change, thus obtaining psychological and emotional integration along with the integration of the brain. To achieve such therapeutic changes, the task of Christian counselors is to deepen the knowledge of human beings and to improve counseling techniques by adding neuroscience-providing information to their biblical view of humans. The counselor's profound understanding of neuroscience and clinical ability to utilize it will be used as a valuable resource to reveal God's creativity and honor God by bringing psychological and spiritual transformation to the client.