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Unlocking the Emotional Brain: Eliminating Symptoms at Their Roots Using Memory Reconsolidation
Unlocking the Emotional Brainoffers psychotherapists and counselors methods at the forefront of clinical and neurobiological knowledge for creating profound change regularly in day-to-day practice.
265 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 31, 2020
Phenomenal book. One of the 2 most important books I read in 2019, the other being Iain McGilchrist's The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World. I talked about both books and their interplay in my 2019 yearly review: "Divided Brain Reconciled by Meaningful Sobbing"
If somehow you're reading this review of UtEB and you haven't read Kaj Sotala's summary of UtEB on LessWrong, do that.
The book itself is on one level kind of dry & repetitive, but if you're as excited as I was about the content being covered (the theory & practice of shifting out of old, reactive emotional schemas, so we can really know what we know) then you'll find all of the detail fascinating and enticing. It definitely has a very clinical flavor.
For most people, I'd probably recommend reading Kaj's summary, plus Already Free: Buddhism Meets Psychotherapy on the Path of Liberation, which covers similar themes in a more accessible way. I would recommend the full UtEB book mostly for therapists, coaches, or people with an interest in more the neuroscience of unlearning.
If somehow you're reading this review of UtEB and you haven't read Kaj Sotala's summary of UtEB on LessWrong, do that.
The book itself is on one level kind of dry & repetitive, but if you're as excited as I was about the content being covered (the theory & practice of shifting out of old, reactive emotional schemas, so we can really know what we know) then you'll find all of the detail fascinating and enticing. It definitely has a very clinical flavor.
For most people, I'd probably recommend reading Kaj's summary, plus Already Free: Buddhism Meets Psychotherapy on the Path of Liberation, which covers similar themes in a more accessible way. I would recommend the full UtEB book mostly for therapists, coaches, or people with an interest in more the neuroscience of unlearning.
September 7, 2020
This book should receive six stars. It is in fact one of the most important books I have read to date. Ecker and his team have uncovered one of the most powerful techniques in psychotherapy and shown how it underlies the transformative power of the most potent modalities of psychotherapy that exist today. Ecker refers to this technique as the "therapeutic reconsolidation process" and delivers the steps of this process in detail, as well as a basic science explanation and evidence base for its core mechanism. He then gives many colourful examples of its use in various forms of therapy. This is a very readable and relatively short and user friendly book, but also a theoretical and scientific book, a rare combination that I was delighted to finally take the time to read. (I have to admit I had this book on my shelf for a few years). In particular I enjoyed Ecker's distinction between counteractive and transformational change (i.e. CBT vs EMDR), and his distinction between Interpersonal Neurobiology models that emphasize emotional regulation (Schore and Siegel's work) and the Therapeutic Reconsolidation Process. I agree with Ecker that he is detailing the most potent ingredient in transformational psychotherapy that underlies the most potent therapies that we have access to today, such as Internal Family Systems, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy, EMDR and Emotion Focussed Therapy among many others. Ecker delivers a rare unifying theory of psychotherapy and also delivers examples of his own therapeutic modality, called Coherence Therapy, a valuable contribution on its own. Ecker is one of the great innovators and unifiers in the field of psychotherapy today, he deserves much recognition for his work. I highly recommend this book to all of my colleagues with even the most passing interest in psychotherapy. If you only pick up one book on the topic, this is the one.
March 26, 2024
There are other great, thorough reviews here so I won’t try to reinvent the wheel. My main purpose in writing is to address any fellow therapists who are interested or well versed in neuroscience (specifically IPNB), “parts-work” of any kind, EMDR and the AIP model, nuanced attachment focused work, and any other experiential therapy models or interventions. You. Need. To. Read. This. Book. !!.
It’s telling you what you already intuitively know about the work that we do, but what (if you have had similarly educational and clinical supervision experiences as me) you have never had anyone give you language to talk about (enter TRP = “the therapeutic reconsolidation process”). This “nontheoretical” work (aside from explanations of Coherence Therapy - see below) would pair excellently with The EMDR Toolbox by Jim Knipe, anything Dan Siegel, CIMBS by Albert and Beatriz Sheldon, and anything using a parts-focused lens.
I would agree that the style of writing gets a little repetitive and ramble at times. Coherence Therapy itself (this book is my first and only intro) does come off as a little hokey and cheesy (I can’t quite put my finger on how but it’s something about the notecard method), and the book itself displays how it doesn’t work for every client without some integration of other theories/modalities. I really didn’t experience the book as a plug for Coherence Therapy either - the authors do a fair job of noting the presence of TRP in plenty of other approaches.
It’s telling you what you already intuitively know about the work that we do, but what (if you have had similarly educational and clinical supervision experiences as me) you have never had anyone give you language to talk about (enter TRP = “the therapeutic reconsolidation process”). This “nontheoretical” work (aside from explanations of Coherence Therapy - see below) would pair excellently with The EMDR Toolbox by Jim Knipe, anything Dan Siegel, CIMBS by Albert and Beatriz Sheldon, and anything using a parts-focused lens.
I would agree that the style of writing gets a little repetitive and ramble at times. Coherence Therapy itself (this book is my first and only intro) does come off as a little hokey and cheesy (I can’t quite put my finger on how but it’s something about the notecard method), and the book itself displays how it doesn’t work for every client without some integration of other theories/modalities. I really didn’t experience the book as a plug for Coherence Therapy either - the authors do a fair job of noting the presence of TRP in plenty of other approaches.
May 3, 2020
Compelling model for how to achieve deep emotional change. Even if you're skeptical about the neuroscience supposedly backing the theory (as I am), the whole thing kinda still makes sense.
December 28, 2021
Really interesting model of how people (and mice for that matter) unlearn beliefs. If this was close to as effective as the book claims, though, I imagine that it would have become the dominant therapy modality pretty quickly. Given that it hasn’t, I’m taking it all with a pretty big grain of salt.
May 29, 2022
Unlocking the Emotional Brain goes into detail on describing the specific treatment effect which occurs as a process of memory re-consolidation (= synaptic relocking – the process of unlocking and relocking the synapses encoding a specific memory). This is the moment where a fundamental shift happens within the client and results in a permanent change of thoughts, behaviour, and mental models. It is a meta-conceptualization that can be applied to the many forms of transformative therapies (AEDP, Coherence Therapy, EMDR, EFT, Gestalt Therapy, IFS, IPNB, NLP, TIR and many more) – and to explain how the transformative therapies differs from the counteractive therapies (CBT, solution-focused therapy, positive therapies) which only offers short-term relief of symptoms by teaching skills and resources to cope and trigger the release of oxytocin. It is important to note that UtEB does not disconfirm the counteractive methods but instead argues that it does not create permanent changes in the synaptic code and is therefore not a long-term solution. For that reason, they should only be applied as primary treatment for crisis intervention, skill-building, resource utilization, or pharmacological measures (see further information on this in the book, page 34-35).
As a meta-process the memory reconsolidation often happens in clinical applications with- or without the therapist being aware of what really happens when the client has a life changing moment. These processes are described in various steps:
I. Accessing sequence (symptom identification, retrieval of target learning, identification of disconfirming knowledge)
II. Erasure sequence (reactivation of symptom-requiring schema, activation of disconfirming knowledge, mismatching symptom-requiring schema, repetitions of pairing)
III. Verification step (observation of emotional non-reactivation, symptom cessation, effortless permanence)
The abridged version is that you must understand the symptoms of the implicit learnings and the content of the implicit learnings. Making these learnings consciously known to the client so that they become explicit learnings – and help them create juxtapositions by finding knowledge that they have which disconfirms the unwanted target learning. Do this as many times as needed and then verify if the process of memory reconsolidation has been successfully applied. The steps of the methodology can be combined in more than one way.
UtEB has a lot of case examples which describes the process in much greater detail than I could do in this compact review. It also goes into detail on what happens in each step of the process and the substeps. It’s a terrific book and I enjoyed every moment of reading it. You get to immerse into the specific scientific nerdy stuff in the first part of the book – and then you get to enjoy the practicality of the process in the second part of the book. It is important for me to note that UtEB is not a popular science book and it’s not the easiest book to read in its entirety but nevertheless, it’s worthwhile the read.
As a meta-process the memory reconsolidation often happens in clinical applications with- or without the therapist being aware of what really happens when the client has a life changing moment. These processes are described in various steps:
I. Accessing sequence (symptom identification, retrieval of target learning, identification of disconfirming knowledge)
II. Erasure sequence (reactivation of symptom-requiring schema, activation of disconfirming knowledge, mismatching symptom-requiring schema, repetitions of pairing)
III. Verification step (observation of emotional non-reactivation, symptom cessation, effortless permanence)
The abridged version is that you must understand the symptoms of the implicit learnings and the content of the implicit learnings. Making these learnings consciously known to the client so that they become explicit learnings – and help them create juxtapositions by finding knowledge that they have which disconfirms the unwanted target learning. Do this as many times as needed and then verify if the process of memory reconsolidation has been successfully applied. The steps of the methodology can be combined in more than one way.
UtEB has a lot of case examples which describes the process in much greater detail than I could do in this compact review. It also goes into detail on what happens in each step of the process and the substeps. It’s a terrific book and I enjoyed every moment of reading it. You get to immerse into the specific scientific nerdy stuff in the first part of the book – and then you get to enjoy the practicality of the process in the second part of the book. It is important for me to note that UtEB is not a popular science book and it’s not the easiest book to read in its entirety but nevertheless, it’s worthwhile the read.
September 2, 2016
This book was very interesting, to me. It uses scientific changes in the brain to make permanent changes in people's thinking. It's hard for me to explain but I like the concept of doing something that is more than just talking about a problem & really be able to permanently help people see things differently. Of course reading one book isn't going to do this, but at least the option is out there.
March 11, 2013
This is a clear and concise review of the really important advances being made in the field of memory, and their clinical implications. The ways in which the brain 'unlocks' memories and then reconsolidates them, either as they were or modified, has huge implications for clinical practice. This is an important book, read it if you work with people to facilitate change.
May 19, 2017
This was a great read on a process that helps with dissolving implicit emotional learnings from the limbic system of the brain. All based on a process known as memory reconsolidation. I hope that the technique will grow and spread so we, as therapists, can start helping our clients change their emotional realities instead of having them constantly battle different emotional learnings.
June 10, 2023
It took me almost two weeks to complete this book, a much needed when you are going through deep depression and grief.
This book provides clear instructions on how to identify and work with emotionally charged memories, offering step-by-step techniques for facilitating memory reconsolidation. There is another on similar topics, which I have liked and found it useful, The book name is "In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness" by Peter A. Levine.
This book instills a deep appreciation for the resiliency and adaptive capacity of the human brain, igniting a renewed sense of optimism for those who may have felt stuck or defeated by their emotional struggles. A book that is gonna help you a lot, especially if have too much of emotions, and finding it hard to balance.
This book provides clear instructions on how to identify and work with emotionally charged memories, offering step-by-step techniques for facilitating memory reconsolidation. There is another on similar topics, which I have liked and found it useful, The book name is "In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness" by Peter A. Levine.
This book instills a deep appreciation for the resiliency and adaptive capacity of the human brain, igniting a renewed sense of optimism for those who may have felt stuck or defeated by their emotional struggles. A book that is gonna help you a lot, especially if have too much of emotions, and finding it hard to balance.
April 1, 2024
Though this is a scholarly work intended for psychotherapy clinicians, the language was perfectly accessible to a layperson like myself. This book was recommended to me by a clinician when I was undergoing a therapeutic ketamine treatment program, and it was an excellent companion to work I was already doing. Reading this book was equivalent to 5 years' worth of therapy and much cheaper.
Now as a writer, I cannot emphasize the impact this work has had on my understanding of human psychology and how we learn and unlearn through emotional experiences. I mean, the therapeutic reconsolidation process is a clear-cut step-by-step formula for developing character arcs! Cannot recommend it enough, not just to therapy clinicians and clients, but also to creatives who want to portray psychologically realistic characters.
Now as a writer, I cannot emphasize the impact this work has had on my understanding of human psychology and how we learn and unlearn through emotional experiences. I mean, the therapeutic reconsolidation process is a clear-cut step-by-step formula for developing character arcs! Cannot recommend it enough, not just to therapy clinicians and clients, but also to creatives who want to portray psychologically realistic characters.
January 10, 2019
I seriously can't believe how far you've brought us in psychology. I cured my bpd accidentally, during a breakdown my husband talked me through, and reconciled the core issue. I felt a BURST in my brain and this book explained everything that happened to me. I was even on Zoloft which I found out plays a part in memory reconciliation vids on Youtube. The Science of Evil also helped me identify how messed up I was and put me on this path. Thank you so much. I can't overestimate how thankful I am. I thank God literally everyday for being fixed. Thank you Jesus, Bruce Ecker, Jordan Peterson, Simon Baron-Cohen, and my husband. Thank you, I hope this can help others like it's helped me. You're life changing, great people.
October 17, 2020
4.5/5
I saw a quote about this book that said it is revolutionary if even half of it is true and I agree with this statement. As a therapist, it seems like I have been circulating around the key concept of the book without quite being able to put my finger on it. This book was so illuminating that I started incorporating elements even before finishing the book because it just clicked with what I was already trying to do. The book at times was hard to follow theoretically but the examples really helped highlight the concepts. I also like how the book does not seem competitive and saw the process of how memory reconsolidation plays a role in other experiential forms of therapy.
Depending how using the material goes, I can see myself coming back to provide a fuller review.
I saw a quote about this book that said it is revolutionary if even half of it is true and I agree with this statement. As a therapist, it seems like I have been circulating around the key concept of the book without quite being able to put my finger on it. This book was so illuminating that I started incorporating elements even before finishing the book because it just clicked with what I was already trying to do. The book at times was hard to follow theoretically but the examples really helped highlight the concepts. I also like how the book does not seem competitive and saw the process of how memory reconsolidation plays a role in other experiential forms of therapy.
Depending how using the material goes, I can see myself coming back to provide a fuller review.
March 6, 2024
A must read for therapists or anyone interested in deep healing and personal growth. The authors present very complex research and ideas in a relatively simple, yet compelling, manner. I now have a better understanding of the tools and techniques needed for memory reconsolidation, the process required for immediate, long lasting trauma healing and unwanted symptom relief.
Most importantly after reading this book I feel deeply moved and inspired. This wisdom will have a massive impact on me - both personally and professionally!
Most importantly after reading this book I feel deeply moved and inspired. This wisdom will have a massive impact on me - both personally and professionally!
December 23, 2023
The content in the book is excellent, I just found it difficult to keep my attention. Big fan of Ecker’s work on memory reconsolidation and love the way it is transforming the field of counseling. I’ve found various online trainings on this subject to be more beneficial than reading the book.
Want to read
November 6, 2019
March 11, 2024
Great book for therapists in re-thinking what makes for lasting change.
January 19, 2024
Dense and very full of good information. Very helpful.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews