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1. The brain is hierarchically organized. 

    -What does this mean? At the foundation part of our brain is our brainstem, which                 

      controls "survival." Sitting on top of the brainstem is the limbic system, which controls

      how we feel (i.e. sad, mad, scared, hurt, disappointed, etc.). Layered on top and over

      and around is the cortex. Cortex means outer, as in an outer shell...think bark of a tree.

      The cortex allows us to think, believe, problem solve, use logic and rationale. It holds

      language and gives us the ability to be self-aware. It also allows us to plan, organize

      and set goals. All three parts are designed to work together in a unified whole. All three 

      parts, however, are systematically organized in a hierarchical manner.

    -Why is this important? The reason this is important is because there is an order to     

      things...a way things work and a way things don't work. Safety and security must be

      established first, because the brainstem controls safety and security. We cannot

      address planning or us logic or solve problems without first feeling safe internally and

      relationally. Instead of viewing individuals as bad or immoral, it could be that individuals

      need to first feel safe.

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2. Neurons that fire together, wire together.

     -What does this mean? Babies are born with approximately 100 million neurons. Through   .

       infancy and critical periods, these neurons fire through sensory stimulation forming

       connections between neurons. These neuronal connections strengthen through repetition,

       forming neural circuits. Other near circuits connect with other neural circuits forming neural

       networks or pathways, much like a path in the outdoors is formed. Neural networks connect

       with other neural networks creating the nervous system. Our nervous systems connect with 

       other nervous systems creating other nervous systems; we are born in relationships and

       from relationships, and who develop best in relationships. We live and die in relationships. It is

       in relationships that we experience the greatest joys and the deepest sorrows. It is also in

       relationship we experience the greatest healing. 

    - Why is this important? Everything comes down to connection. The reason this is important is

       because relationship and connection becomes the context through which we view people,

       problems and change. Central to who we each individually are is this sense of needing to

       connect. Neurons that are not connected to other neurons wither and die in a process

       called "apoptosis." Humans not connected to other humans experience anxiety and

       depression. We are biologically predisposed to a need for human connection.

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​3. The brain and nervous system is largely experience-dependent.

     - What does this mean? Our brains grow and develop through repeated experience     

       creating neuronal connections. During critical periods in development especially, but all

       throughout our lifespan, experience shapes how our brains and nervous systems organize

       themselves. Without experiences we can't learn. Without novel experiences we can't change.

       In the first 18-24 months of life our brain experiences rapid growth, considered "critical

       periods," and is sensitive to outside forces (i.e. warm, nurturing care from a parent).

       Throughout childhood we experience other critical periods, sensitive to outside forces. Yet, all

       throughout our lifetime, our brains have the capacity through experience to organize,

       change, grow, reorganize, and adapt; this notion that our brains have the capacity to

       change is considered "neuroplasticity."

    - Why is this important? The reason this is important is because it is through experience

       that we learn and grow. It is also important because this means that change is possible, and

       that this provides an avenue through which change happens.​​ We are not necessarily stuck

       in our plight. We are capable of learning, changing and growing through learning new

       information and through putting that information into practice.

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5. The brain and nervous system are how we experience ourselves, others and the world.

    - What does this mean? Our nervous system is comprised of the central nervous system

       (CNS), which includes our brain and spinal cord, and our peripheral nervous system

       (PNS), which essentially makes up all of the vast network of nerves running through and

       from our brain and spinal cord to throughout the rest of our body. Our nervous system

       allows us to feel and make sense of the sensory information all around us: what we

       see, what we hear, what we taste, what we smell and what we feel. Our nerves allow us

       to receive sensory information and our brain allows us to register (make sense of) and

       respond to it. 

    - Why is this important? The way we make sense of the world and those around us, as

       well as ourselves, is through our nervous system by first understanding our own

       experience. When others feel hurt, sad, scared or mad, we understand what they feel

       because we also have felt hurt, sad, scared or mad first. It is through our experience of

       ourselves via our nervous system that allows us to not only understand others but also

       to predict behavior in others and to respond to body language, gesture, facial

       expression and tone of voice. 

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