Transference, affect regulation and neurofeedback
Transference has within it basic distortions of self. These
distortions arise, in most instances, from the way the parents treat
the child or the child believes he was treated by the parents. These
distortions are always in the affective realm. They lodge in the
emotional, greatly unconscious areas of the brain (non-verbal right
hemisphere). People feel fearful, ashamed, etc. as adults presumably
because they were shamed or made afraid as children, more than they
were affirmed or soothed. This is affective or emotional
disregulation. The parents, for their own compelling reasons, were
unable to quiet their child’s distress or enhance their sense
of goodness. But the transference is embedded in affect regulation
problems, just as the original relationship was. The therapist is
often called upon, not only to interpret the transference, which is a
left hemisphere transaction, but also to help regulate the patient’s
affect, a right to right hemisphere transaction.
For those with personality disorders, this is particularly true. A
Borderline Personality Disorder or even Anti-social Personality
Disorder can be recontextualized as disorders of affect
disregulation, most specifically of disregulation of fear.
Narcissistic personality can be thought of as a disorder of shame.
And fear is embedded in shame. People suffering from these kinds of
disorders have tumultuous transference relationships. The turmoil is
due to affect disregulation. Neurofeedback addresses this directly
and, in most cases, effectively. When it does, the nature of the
transference, in fact the very nature of the self and the other,
change accordingly toward increased compassion, empathy and
relatedness.
We celebrate life through the pleasures of the body: sensuality,
romantic excitement, intellectual curiosity, delicious food,
beautiful colors, pleasing sounds, pleasant smells and loving touch.
What a smorgasbord we have; yet these are just the bones of joy.
When we add recognition and appreciation of relationship shared among
all living things, sensuality is no longer limited to physical
pleasures, and intellect is not restricted to linear ideas. Poetry,
imagination and creativity blossom, helping to dissolve the angst of
separation because we are tuned into life’s interactive
creative flow. Awe and wonder connect us to our sacred nature. The
reverence they create is the saving grace that lights our path in
this fast-paced evolutionary adventure. The concerns of others can
be a wise teacher providing valuable advice, if it’s
accompanied by the joy of connection and appreciation. When one
become emotionally clear, gratitude for life is usually close at
hand, notwithstanding the presence and full awareness of suffering.
Neurofeedback is, most importantly, a relational technology.
Quieting affect or promoting attentiveness allow for a greater
capacity for relatedness. Neurofeedback is more efficient than
psychotherapy alone because it reaches the affect regulation
circuitry in the right hemisphere, a part of the brain that has no
language, to quiet fear. In this process the transference rights
itself, and the focus of the treatment shifts to the newly developing
self and how it will make its way in the world.
For more information concerning neurofeedback, and its capacity to decrease fear and increase empathy, compassion, and relatedness, call our office at 752 6634 or visit our new web site: www.Neuro-Gnosis.com.