Neurobiological mechanisms of dialectical behavior therapy and Morita therapy, two psychotherapies inspired by Zen

Psychotherapy is a learning process. Updating the prediction models of the brain may be the mechanism underlying psychotherapeutic changes. Although developed in different eras and cultures, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and Morita therapy are influenced by Zen principles, and both emphasize th...

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Published inJournal of Neural Transmission Vol. 130; no. 8; pp. 1077 - 1088
Main Authors Lin, Ying, Hsu, Chen-Chi, Lin, Chen-Ju, Kuroda, Reiko, Chiang, Dai-Lun, Lai, Feipei, Wu, Shu-I.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Vienna Springer Vienna 01.08.2023
Subjects
Behavior Therapy
Brain
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Emotions
Fear
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Neurology
Neurosciences
Psychiatry
Psychiatry and Preclinical Psychiatric Studies - Review Article
Psychotherapy - methods
Predictive coding
Psychotherapy
Dialectical behavior therapy
Transcultural psychiatry
Morita therapy
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Summary:Psychotherapy is a learning process. Updating the prediction models of the brain may be the mechanism underlying psychotherapeutic changes. Although developed in different eras and cultures, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and Morita therapy are influenced by Zen principles, and both emphasize the acceptance of reality and suffering. This article reviews these two treatments, their common and distinct therapeutic factors, and their neuroscientific implications. Additionally, it proposes a framework that includes the predictive function of the mind, constructed emotions, mindfulness, therapeutic relationship, and changes enabled via reward predictions. Brain networks, including the Default Mode Network (DMN), amygdala, fear circuitry, and reward pathways, contribute to the constructive process of brain predictions. Both treatments target the assimilation of prediction errors, gradual reorganization of predictive models, and creation of a life with step-by-step constructive rewards. By elucidating the possible neurobiological mechanisms of these psychotherapeutic techniques, this article is expected to serve as the first step towards filling the cultural gap and creating more teaching methods based on these concepts.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
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ObjectType-Review-1
ISSN:0300-9564
1435-1463
DOI:10.1007/s00702-023-02644-3