Integrating neuroscientific knowledge into psychotherapy amongst Japanese psychotherapists: presence, benefits, needs and cultural barriers

ABSTRACT

The practice of neuroscience-informed psychotherapy (NIP) that aims to refine the existing practice of psychotherapy is a recent topic in psychotherapy research. The researcher interviewed 25 Japanese psychotherapists and investigated the presence, benefits and needs of NIP and the potential barriers that may hinder the learning of NIP. A thematic analysis identified that the practice of NIP is currently limited in Japan due to limited learning opportunities. However, a minor proportion of Japanese psychotherapists practice NIP and experienced benefits, such as developing confidence in performing psychotherapy and effectively guiding clients to normalize problems. NIP may benefit psychotherapists in Japan and other Asian countries as psychotherapy in Japan and other Asian countries share many characteristics influenced by Confucianism, Buddhism and Westernization.

KEYWORDS:

• Psychotherapy
• neuroscience
• Japanese
• psychotherapists
• neuroscience-informed psychotherapy

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Japanese mental health professionals who participated and dedicated their time for the interviews.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that may influence the work reported in the paper.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, YT, upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yu Takizawa

Yu Takizawa is a counselling psychologist in Australian private practice with a Master’s degree from the University of Queensland. He is also a bicultural mental health worker for the Queensland government in Australia. He is undertaking his doctorate at the University of Queensland.

Judith Murray

Judith Murray is an associate professor in the School of Psychology/School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work in the University of Queensland with expertise in counselling, education, grief and loss.

Matthew Bambling

Matthew Bambling is a senior lecturer in the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of Queensland.

Yuki Matsumoto

Yuki Matsumoto is a professor in the School of Human Life Sciences in Tokushima Bunri University.

Yuma Ishimoto

Yuma Ishimoto is an associate professor in the Teacher Education Center in Tottori University.

Takahiro Yamane

Takahiro Yamane is a clinical psychologist and an associate professor in the graduate school of human development and environment in Kobe University.

Sisira Edirippulige

Sisira Edirippulige is a senior lecturer in the Centre for Health Services Research in the University of Queensland.