Contemplative Psychotherapy, Neuroscience, and Depression
Contemplative psychotherapy is an approach rooted in Eastern contemplative traditions and modern psychology/psychotherapy. While a therapist utilizes talk therapy in a session, contemplative psychotherapy integrates the cultivation of mindful awareness, self-acceptance, and compassionate presence when dealing with mental health challenges. Unlike conventional approaches that may solely focus on symptom reduction, contemplative therapy seeks to deepen understanding and foster transformation at the core of being while accessing one’s inner “brilliant sanity.”
Contemplative Neuroscience:
Contemplative neuroscience is a field of research that focuses on the changes within the mind, emotions, and body as a result of contemplative practices. It shows how training the mind through contemplative psychotherapy can induce neuroplasticity. In the treatment of depression, studies show how it can promote structural and functional adaptation (Hölzel et al., 2011) and has been associated with increased gray matter density in the prefrontal cortex, which plays a crucial role in cognitive control and emotional regulation (Tang et al., 2015). Moreover, it has been found to modulate the activity of the default mode network, a network implicated in rumination and self-referential processing, thereby reducing depressive symptoms (Hamilton et al., 2015). There have also been studies implicating downstream biological improvement including improved immune function (Davidson et al. 2003). This can then cycle back in beneficial body-mind improvement in depressive symptoms.
In Session:
Through a mixture of talk therapy, meditation, reflection, and mindfulness-practices, clients are guided to cultivate non-judgmental awareness of present-moment experiences, including thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. Through regular practice, individuals develop greater resilience to depressive rumination and cultivate a sense of spaciousness in the mind. There can also be a focus on generating feelings of compassion and goodwill towards oneself and others. By nurturing a kind and caring attitude, individuals counteract negative self-talk and cultivate a sense of interconnectedness and a feeling of belonging in their day-to-day lives.
References
Davidson, R. J., Kabat-Zinn, J., Schumacher, J., Rosenkranz, M., Muller, D., Santorelli, S. F., ... & Sheridan, J. F. (2003). Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation. Psychosomatic Medicine.
Hamilton, J. P., Farmer, M., Fogelman, P., & Gotlib, I. H. (2015). Depressive Rumination, the Default-Mode Network, and the Dark Matter of Clinical Neuroscience. Biological Psychiatry, 78(4), 224–230.
Hölzel, B. K., Carmody, J., Vangel, M., Congleton, C., Yerramsetti, S. M., Gard, T., & Lazar, S. W. (2011). Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 191(1), 36–43.
Tang, Y. Y., Hölzel, B. K., & Posner, M. I. (2015). The neuroscience of mindfulness meditation. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 16(4), 213–225.