by Tim Brunson, PhD

Regardless as to whether or not the phrase "finding the hero within" truly symbolizes that potential will emerge; the route taken during transformation depends on whether the locus of neural functioning is cognitive or limbic-related. This is the same consideration that was discussed a previous article when the propensity for intellectual behavior was balanced with that for pattern-driven behavior. This locus is synonymous with an individual's temperament, as it balances the behavioral activation system and the behavioral inhibition system. [Note the similarity of this concept with the toward and away from meta-patterns taught in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).] Again, each of these involves specific neurotransmitters and specific substrates (Davidson, 1992).

The behavior activation system involves how an individual seeks out stimulus and reacts to the world. It is a more cognitive, frontal lobe entity. Therefore, it is more concerned with the intellect as new perceptions are continuously generating new neuro-physiological patterns. The formation of explicit memories is more prevalent.

[More]

Richard Yates is a Licensed Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor and National Certified Fellow in Clinical Hypnotherapy. He has worked as a psychotherapist since 1996 and his experience spans outpatient work in community mental healthcare with the severely mentally ill, inpatient and partial patient care at a psychiatric hospital and practice at a large psychiatric outpatient practice since 1998. He has developed highly successful and innovative couples counseling techniques and strategies and has successfully integrated Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, along with other traditional approaches, with hypnotherapy.