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.com Purchase Dr. Stevens' Book: Affective Neuroscience in Psychotherapy: A Clinician's Guide for Working with Emotions Ways to Work With Me: Mind Over Matter LGBTQ+ Affirming Masterclass Be a guest on my podcast Resources: Value Aligned 2021 Journal Anti-Racism Resources LGBTQ+ Affirming Resources The Helping Professional's Guide to Boundary Setting Connect with Me: Follow me on IG @jessicaleighphd. Follow me on TikTok @jessicaleighphd Join my Facebook community: Grow Through What You Go Through Sponsors & Collaborations: BetterHelp Intro/Outro Music: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod Music License Awakening Together, Relaxing into Happiness with William Cooper, M.Th., LPC Experience Awakening....Relaxing into your Being and, therefore, Happiness. William has... Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Support the show