Why do humans do what they do? This is a question that mental health clinicians ask themselves daily as they support those with challenging behavioral and mental health issues. Neuroscience has taught us that understanding the brain leads to a better understanding of those we treat. Our current, evolving, scientific understanding of epigenetics and behavioral neurobiology profoundly informs a counseling practice, guiding clinical reasoning and relational elements of healing. This presentation will introduce the fundamental concepts of brain-behavior science in an enlightening and invigorating conversation that translates directly into practical clinical action.



The way that genes continuously adapt contributes to temperament and behavior. We will review how genes form, how they regulate the brain and body, and how they are directly influenced by their environments. In addition, the brain changes, reorganizes, learns, and heals in response to external stimulus, including that of the therapeutic environment. Therapists can facilitate this change, increasing self-understanding, resilience, and capacity for self-regulation that leads to healthier mental well-being and engagement. The presentation will also emphasize the importance of understanding how neural networks of social engagement, learning, and stress regulation are formed through early infant caregiver relationships and how these form the implicit emotional memories that are the foundation for how we engage in the world.



This web conference is intermediate instructional level and designed to help clinicians:




  1. Identify how genes influence temperament and behavior.

  2. Describe the brain's capacity to heal and change.

  3. Discuss the role that early attachments play in developing a person's capacity for stress, social engagement, and learning.

  4. Demonstrate how regulation through the therapeutic relationship can change the brain.



This teleconference is the first in a series of four presentations on neuroscience's contributions and relevance to psychotherapy. Participants are welcome to register for any one event or all four. The fourth presentation will include a panel discussion with the three presenters, moderated by GoodTherapy.org's CEO, Noah Rubinstein. If you have any questions about this web conference or would like more information, please contact us here.


How the Web Conference Works

Attendees who register for this event will log in to the web conference center by using a computer and calling in to the teleconference line. Attendees will be able to ask live audio questions via phone and/or submit text chat questions via computer. Live streaming video and/or document sharing will also be available to participants. Alternatively, attendees may dial in to the teleconference line only, though attendees dialing in by phone only will be unable to ask questions.



Before the scheduled event, all registered attendees will be sent a reminder email with specific instructions on how to log in to the web conference center, as well as links to optional handout materials if applicable.



This event will include lecture and question-and-answer periods. A recording of the web conference will be available to members in GoodTherapy.org's Continuing Education Archives within two weeks. Members of GoodTherapy.org can receive continuing education credits for attending this event by logging in to the GoodTherapy.org Member's Area.



This teleconference is the first in a series of four presentations on neuroscience's contributions and relevance to psychotherapy. Participants are welcome to register for any one event or all four. The fourth presentation will include a panel discussion with the three presenters, moderated by GoodTherapy.org's CEO, Noah Rubinstein.


Continuing Education (CE) Information

Two CE credits will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety.

GoodTherapy.org is also an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within counseling services.

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395. 

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can attend this live web conference for $30.95 or access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

Event Reviews from Members

She was an excellent presenter and the workshop was inspiring to learn even more about neuroscience. - Denise Humphrey, PhD

Meet the Presenter

Kim Barthel, OT

Kim Barthel, OT, combines the cutting-edge science of neurobiology and occupational therapy to evolve the consciousness of humanity. She is a visionary with 30 years of experience as a pediatric occupational therapist working with neurological and developmental disabilities.

Kim travels internationally, providing therapist trainings on trauma, sensory integration therapy, neuro-development treatments, and the science of attachment. In addition to teaching In China, India, and Singapore, she has also worked with the Inuit in Nunavut. Her new book, Waking up to Healing, co-authored with former NHL hockey star, Theo Fleury, will be released soon. Kim and her family reside in Victoria, BC. For more information on Kim and her work, please visit http://labyrinthjourneys.com