The Power of Positive Neuroplasticity: The Brain’s Wired-In Capacity for Growth

For decades, psychotherapy has largely been about addressing pathology—identifying what's wrong and finding ways to fix it. But what if the real key to transformation lies in understanding and leveraging the brain’s innate ability to heal? This is where AEDP comes into play. AEDP is grounded in the understanding that the brain is not a static organ but one that is constantly evolving, capable of profound change when given the right conditions.

According to Diana Fosha (2021), AEDP is built on the principle that “healing is an innate, wired-in, biological process, ever present in all of us” (p. 28). This concept is rooted in the field of affective neuroscience, which studies how emotions are processed in the brain and how this processing can lead to significant psychological change.

The Power of Positive Neuroplasticity

At the heart of AEDP is the concept of positive neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to form new neural connections in response to positive experiences and learning. AEDP therapists work to create conditions where clients can experience these positive changes, facilitating new ways of thinking, feeling, and relating that are more adaptive and life-affirming.

Fosha (2021) explains that this process is marked by “positive somatic and affective markers of vitality and energy,” which are indicators of the brain’s capacity to change for the better (p. 28). These moments, where clients feel a sense of vitality and rightness in their experiences, are crucial in the AEDP process. They signal that the brain is actively rewiring itself, moving away from old, maladaptive patterns and towards healthier, more integrated ways of being.

In the work of Diana Fosha, the concept of Transformance is central to understanding the transformative potential within therapy. She describes Transformance as “the overarching motivational force that drives healing and self-righting in all living organisms.” This innate drive toward healing is what therapists aim to harness through Transformance detection, which involves recognizing and amplifying the moments of vitality, courage, and resilience that naturally emerge during the therapeutic process. By focusing on these positive elements — from the very beginning of the first session —, therapists can effectively nurture safety and positive neuroplasticity, fostering the brain’s ability to rewire itself in healthier, more adaptive ways. As Fosha explains, “Transformance is the bedrock of AEDP’s stance of affirmation and responsibility, reflecting our deep belief in the capacity for change and the clinician’s role in bringing it to fruition.”

Undoing Aloneness: The Role of Dyadic Regulation

One of the key mechanisms that AEDP employs to tap into positive neuroplasticity is the concept of dyadic regulation—where therapist and client work together to regulate emotional states. This is crucial because emotional suffering often stems from “aloneness in the face of overwhelming emotion,” a state that AEDP seeks to remedy from the very first session (Fosha, 2021, p. 32).

Through this co-regulation, the therapist helps the client navigate their emotional experiences, creating a sense of safety and connection that allows for deep emotional processing. This process is not just supportive; it actively changes the way the brain processes emotions, fostering a sense of security and resilience that can lead to lasting change.

Transforming Trauma: Beyond Symptom Relief

One of the most compelling aspects of AEDP is its approach to trauma. Rather than focusing solely on symptom relief, AEDP aims to transform the very way trauma is encoded in the brain. This involves helping clients access and process their core emotional experiences in a way that leads to what Fosha (2021) describes as “quantum transformations,” or sudden, dramatic shifts in the client’s emotional and psychological state (p. 29).

This transformational approach is supported by extensive research in affective neuroscience, which shows that fully experiencing and processing emotions—especially within the context of a safe, supportive relationship—can lead to profound and lasting changes in the brain. In AEDP, these moments of transformation are not just goals; they are the core of the therapeutic process.

The Science of Flourishing: Metatherapeutic Processing

AEDP doesn’t stop at alleviating distress; it pushes clients towards flourishing—a state of thriving and well-being. This is achieved through metatherapeutic processing, a technique where clients reflect on their experiences of healing and change, further solidifying these positive transformations.

Fosha (2021) notes that “focusing on the experience of transformation itself unleashes further rounds of transformation,” creating a positive feedback loop that propels clients toward greater and greater levels of psychological health and well-being (p. 36). This process is backed by the science of neuroplasticity, which shows that reflecting on positive changes can reinforce and deepen the brain’s new, healthier patterns.

The implications of AEDP are profound. By integrating this approach into your practice, you’re not just helping clients manage symptoms—you’re helping them rewire their brains for long-term health and flourishing. AEDP represents the future of therapy, where science and compassion meet to create deep, lasting change. The brain’s capacity for healing is immense, and AEDP offers the tools to unlock that potential.

References

Fosha, D. (2021). Undoing aloneness and the transformation of suffering into flourishing: AEDP 2.0. In D. Fosha (Ed.), Undoing aloneness & the transformation of suffering into flourishing: AEDP 2.0 (pp. 27-48). American Psychological Association.

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Michael Mondoro is a Certified AEDP Therapist in NYC, a Certified AEDP Institute Training Supervisor, and an Integrative Trauma Therapy Specialist, utilizing AEDP, EMDR, IFS and somatic therapies. He serves as a as a teacher and clinical trainer for therapists nationwide and a licensed individual therapist in Connecticut and New York State helping individuals with complex experiences.