Does it ever feel like change is impossible? Are you frustrated because you keep making the same mistakes over and over again? This pattern, while it can be exhausting, often has less to do with willpower or motivation and far more to do with understanding the intricacies of neuroplasticity.
There’s a good chance you’re contemplating therapy therapy because you want to change something. Whether you don’t like a certain habit, want to end a relationship, or feel stuck in some rut, the idea of change can feel both exciting and terrifying.
Unfortunately, all change can be a complicated progress. Even when you really want to stop (or start) doing something, you may struggle to put your desire into motion. At times, it might even seem like you’re regressing altogether. The good news is that understanding how your brain works can help you understand where you’re going next.
What is Neuroplasticity?
Neuroplasticity refers to how the brain adapts, reorganizes, and changes over time. Scientists once believed that the brain was relatively fixed. However, modern neuroscience has shown us that the brain is powerfully flexible. It can continue to evolve throughout life. This is good news if you feel “stuck” in your patterns- you’re always capable of growing and healing.
The more you practice new ways of acting or thinking, the more habitual they become.
Understanding Your Brain’s Ability and Functional Plasticity
Why does change often take so much time? Why does breaking cycles sometimes feel impossible, even when you know what you need to be doing differently? Why do you find yourself “giving into” old thought patterns or unwanted behaviors?
It’s important to understand that your brain regions are complex and highly invested in your survival. Every time you repeat a specific behavior (or even think in a certain way), your brain neurons fire their sensory inputs together, strengthening the connection between them. This can be summed as, neurons that fire together, wire together.
For example, let’s say you’ve spent years thinking that you’re just not good enough. No matter how successful you are- or how much others validate you- this nagging belief pulls at you. That’s because this particular message is entrenched in deep neural pathways.
Changing those pathways and replacing that belief with a different way of thinking- requires repetition and time. In other words, the more you practice new ways of acting or thinking, the more habitual they become.
Understanding the Brain Function Behind Nonlinear Progress
If you’re like some clients, you may resonate with being a logical thinker or an intellectualizer. You probably have good insight into yourself, and you might function well in everyday life.
Progress in therapy, at times, can feel frustrating. You might feel like, one day, you’re making important connections and making strides, only to suddenly face a period of stagnation or experience a debilitating setback. This is common. Progress doesn’t move on a straightforward path because the brain doesn’t change in just one clear direction.
Change may sometimes feel painstakingly slow or challenging because:
Your old neural pathways are strong: The longer a neural pathway has been in place, the more strength it has. Some actions or thought processes date back to childhood (which is often seen in cases of complex trauma). The process of synaptic plasticity, which is how your brain creates new pathways, unquestionably takes more effort and time.
The human brain prefers efficiency: Your brain cells prefer established neutral pathways instead of expending energy to develop new ones. This is why unfavorable habits may be challenging to break and preferred habits feel difficult to implement. The brain is comfortable with what it knows, even if you want something different for yourself.
The nervous system aims to protect: When you encounter stress, your brain often reverts to older neural connections to cope. That’s why many people resonate with the idea of “regressing” or even “relapsing” when they’re having a hard time. It’s important to remember that this is not indicative of failure. It’s simply your brain trying to preserve energy.
How to Harness Neuroplasticity to Enact Change
Although the concept of neuroplasticity is empowering, things sometimes do move slowly. Remember that you don’t have to do it alone- reaching out for help and allowing yourself to be vulnerable with your feelings can make such a difference in this journey. Here are some other ways to feel supported as you move:
Trust consistency: Your neural networks thrive when things are consistent and predictable. The more you can put even small changes into motion, the more your brain adapts to the new information.
Practice mindfulness: Mindfulness exercises root you to the present moment. Harnessing this awareness shows you whenpatternstters, feelings, or body sensations emerge. Giving yourself this space supports embodiment and allows you to consciously choose new ways to respond.
Practice self-compassion: Your brain continues to respond to how you perceive yourself in times of stress. If you’re critical and harsh, you’re reinforcing those neuronal connections. If you can consistently react with self-kindness and love, your brain integrates that kind of feedback.
Online therapy provides a convenient way to strengthen your mental well-being. Engaging in reflective practices like note-taking during sessions can enhance your personal growth and resilience.
Therapy for Strengthening Your Well-Being in Washington
Your brain’s plasticity reminds us that change is always possible, no matter how dire things feel or how long you’ve been struggling. Every effort you make can help rewire your brain- even if progress feels slow or nonexistent. Patience, consistency, and self-compassion all matter and play a role in the neuroplasticity process.
In my practice, I specialize in treating intellectualizers, overthinkers, and clients who resonate with feeling “resistant to change.” I offer support for anxiety, trauma, depression, and complex life transitions. If you feel stuck in unwanted patterns or insecure about yourself, I am here to offer compassion and guidance.
I provide online therapy for adults throughout Washington State. Contact me today to learn more and to schedule an initial consultation.
