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Clin Soc Work J (2010) 38:240241
DOI 10.1007/s10615-010-0273-6
BOOK REVIEW
Bonnie Badenoch: Being a Brain-Wise Therapist: A Practical Guide to Interpersonal Neurobiology
W.W. Norton & Co., New York, 2008, 348 pages, $29.95
Dennis Miehls
Published online: 27 April 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010
In this text, Bonnie Badenoch has made an important contribution to the ever-expanding literature that demonstrates the increasing relevance of neurobiology ndings on clinical practice with a range of vulnerable populations. Synthesizing aspects of child development theory, contemporary attachment theory, trauma theory, cognitive neuroscience, and clinical theory, the book focuses on the adaptive functions of positive early relationships for the achievement of key developmental capacities. A major strength of the book is the authors ability to weave concepts of neurobiology into the clinical treatment relationship and she artfully demonstrates the application of complex theory into her clinical practice with adults, children, teens and couple systems. I write this review as many of my colleagues from the American Association of Psychoanalysis in Social Work have engaged in a rich and sophisticated discussion through the organizations liste-serve about the practice implications of contemporary neuroscience. Listeserve moderator Joel Kanter (2009) initiated dialogue about this subject area when he queried, how learning about neuroscience changed, or even transformed, my practice? (Retrieved from AAPSCW listeserve, 3/11/09). The many responses to his question illustrate the impact of neuroscience on social work practice. Ms. Badenochs sophisticated, but practical, text is an excellent example of how neurobiology can fundamentally alter ones clinical practice.
The book is divided into three sections: (1) Theoretical Foundations, (2) Practical Matters, and (3) Working with Couples, Teens and Children. Each section provides substantive content that is highly readable, yet sophisticated.
This is a major strength of this text: Badenoch discusses complex topics...