Episode 76 | Affective Neuroscience with Dr. Lee Stevens

In today's episode of Psych Talk I speak with Dr. Lee Stevens, a licensed psychologist, about affective neuroscience. Affective neuroscience is the study of how the brain communicates and experiences emotions and an area that Dr. Stevens has researched and implemented in his psychotherapy practice. Dr. Stevens recently published a book Affective Neuroscience in Psychotherapy: A Clinician's Guide for Working with Emotions, where he discusses the neuroscientific research behind emotions and how to focus on them in therapy. Dr. Stevens noticed in psychotherapy practice that there was much room for improvement, namely focusing on emotions directly. Many interventions focus on thoughts or behaviors to, in turn, change emotions, yet emotions are typically the thing that bring people to therapy. Through our discussion Dr. Stevens discusses the importance of focusing on emotions directly in psychotherapy, some interventions on how to do so, and affect reconsolidation. Additionally, Dr. Stevens talks about bottom up and top down processing when it comes to emotion.Connect with Dr. Stevens:Website: www.drfrancisstevens.comPurchase Dr. Stevens' Book: Affective Neuroscience in Psychotherapy: A Clinician's Guide for Working with EmotionsWays to Work With Me:Mind Over MatterLGBTQ+ Affirming MasterclassBe a guest on my podcastResources:Value Aligned 2021 JournalAnti-Racism ResourcesLGBTQ+ Affirming ResourcesThe Helping Professional's Guide to Boundary SettingConnect with Me:Follow me on IG @jessicaleighphd.Follow me on TikTok @jessicaleighphdJoin my Facebook community: Grow Through What You Go ThroughSponsors & Collaborations:BetterHelpIntro/Outro Music:Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeodMusic LicenseAwakening Together, Relaxing into Happiness with William Cooper, M.Th., LPCExperience Awakening....Relaxing into your Being and, therefore, Happiness. William has...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show