Interpersonal Neurobiology Essentials: Mind & Embodied Memory

"Why do affirmations like 'I am safe' often fail when anxiety surges? Interpersonal neurobiology (IPNB) reveals the answer: emotions originate subcortically—20-50ms faster than thought—shaped by relational experiences before cognition intervenes (Öhman, 2005; Schore, 2012).

Traditional CBT teaches us to override feelings with reframing, yet somatic signals create a mismatch: the body screams danger while the mind chants safety. Research shows this leads to treatment dropout as patients reject cognitive explanations when bodily distress persists (Orzechowska et al., 2021). Worse, for trauma survivors, it reactivates childhood gaslighting—recreating misattunement that eroded trust in their own signals (Schore, 2009).

IPNB offers the paradigm shift: Integration, not domination. Healing emerges through co-regulation, somatic attunement, and relational presence—rewiring memory capsules from the bottom up (Siegel, 2012). We're not about self-regulation; we're about co-regulation. Our nervous systems are social organs requiring resonance to thrive."

Discover how this 25-year neuroscience revolution equips therapists, coaches, and leaders to foster genuine resilience—beyond the myth of the autonomous self. Read on to transform your practice with science that honors the whole human." (Siegel, 2012; Schore, 2012)