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Shifting the Brain’s Emotional Circuits

SESSION 4 OF 4

Duration 26mins 32secs

Join Dr Jennifer Sweeton for a fascinating deep dive into how psychotherapy transforms the brain. This session reveals how trauma forms tightly woven neural networks of memories, sensations, emotions, and beliefs—and why these networks can feel impossible to escape when emotionally charged. Learn the core rules of brain change, including Hebb’s principle that neurons that fire together wire together, why avoidance strengthens distress, and why activation is essential for healing. Discover how bottom-up, top-down, and horizontal therapeutic techniques access and shift trauma networks, reduce their emotional intensity, and reconnect the brain to healthier, adaptive pathways—unlocking genuine, lasting change through science-informed therapy.

ALL SESSIONS IN THIS MODULE: Neuropsychotherapy and Trauma Interventions

01

Why the Brain Won’t Switch Off

Dive into the brain’s hidden survival system as Dr Jennifer Sweeton unpacks how trauma rewires threat detection. Explore why PTSD symptoms persist, how the amygdala hijacks rational thinking, and how fast survival pathways shape our responses—revealing powerful insights into healing and resilience.

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02

Why Safe Moments Still Feel Dangerous

Explore the powerful difference between constant hypervigilance and sudden trauma triggers in this eye-opening session with Dr Jennifer Sweeton. Learn why calming practices help baseline stress but can’t stop instant reactions—and discover how the brain can be retrained to recognise safety and restore control.

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03

How Trauma Disrupts Control and Clarity

Discover how the insula, cingulate, and prefrontal cortex shape trauma and recovery with Dr Jennifer Sweeton. Learn why insula shutdown causes dissociation and overactivation creates somatic flashbacks, how self-regulation and executive control weaken, and follow a clear roadmap—safety, body reconnection, regulation, cognition, then trauma-focused healing for lasting change.

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04

Shifting the Brain’s Emotional Circuits « you are here

Uncover how psychotherapy physically reshapes the brain in this compelling session with Dr Jennifer Sweeton. Explore how trauma builds powerful neural networks, why avoidance strengthens them, and how bottom-up, top-down, and horizontal techniques activate and rewire these pathways—creating real, lasting change in emotion, belief, and behaviour.

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