Neurobiological, Psychological, and Relational Effects of Crisis and Trauma

This chapter begins by putting the neurobiological description of trauma into the context of a broader understanding of brain development and functioning. Neuroscientific research on human relationality currently goes by many names—social neuroscience, interpersonal neurobiology, and relational neuroscience, to name a few. Posttraumatic stress disorder is marked by the presence of symptoms that fall into three categories: re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal. The neurobiological mechanisms underlying each of these symptom categories are interconnected with each other and with other bodily systems. After an overview of some of these mechanisms, the chapter considers how these mechanisms can be understood in the context of relational neuroscience. It discusses the factors, approaches, and interventions that foster healing and resiliency. Research on the relational neuroscientific bases of creativity in counseling, for example, can help us better understand and support the widespread use of interventions that activate collaborative creativity as a healing practice for trauma survivors.