Navigating Integration: A Grounded Theory of Practicing Clinicians\u27 Experiences Integrating Neuroscience in their Mental Health Clinical Practice

The purpose of this study was to generate a grounded theory from practicing clinicians’ experiences integrating neuroscience in their mental health clinical practice. The research consisted of interviews with eight practicing clinicians across Minnesota. The qualitative study design relied upon the Corbin and Strauss (2015) Grounded Theory and theoretical sampling. Participants in this study described taking complex neuroscience information and translating it into user-friendly concepts and applying clinical interventions that affect the mind-body symbiotic relationship, providing a holistic way to address mental and physical health. The participants integrated neuroscience knowledge alongside other psychotherapy theories and utilized psychoeducation approaches to further the movement toward mainstream knowledge and understanding of the connection between biological factors and emotional health. There were similarities in the findings of this research study and how neurocounseling has been defined by Russell-Chapin (2016, p. 93) as, “the integration of neuroscience into the practice of counseling, by teaching and illustrating the physiological underpinnings of many of our mental health concerns.” Exploration of this integrative clinical approach, connections to the literature, and implications of the findings are discussed