The Impact of Mirror Neurons and Embodied Simulation on the Therapeutic Relationship

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorEvanuk, Kylee
dc.date.accessioned2025-06-06T00:30:03Z
dc.date.available2025-06-06T00:30:03Z
dc.date.issued2025-05
dc.description.abstractThis capstone explores how mirror neurons and embodied simulation impact therapeutic relationships in counselling practice. The mirror neuron system is a key brain mechanism that aides in understanding the actions and emotional intentions of others during social interactions. It facilitates embodied simulation, which is a cognitive process that enables individuals to grasp others' actions, emotions, intentions, and sensations by internally simulating these experiences within their own bodies, as if they were performing the same actions or experiencing the same emotions themselves. This process underpins processes such as forming interpersonal connections, empathetic attunement, and language comprehension. Counselors knowledgeable about mirror neuron functioning and the resonance of embodied simulation experienced with clients may become more effective in aiding emotional regulation and the processing of challenging subject matter. The aim of this capstone is to allow practicing counsellors and professionals in helping fields to gain a new perspective on how understanding the impacts of neuroscience, particularly mirror neurons and embodied simulation processes, can deepen therapeutic relationships. Such understanding may foster an embodied connection with clients that goes beyond conscious reasoning, thereby enhancing the practitioner's ability to address a diverse range of client needs.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11803/3541
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisher.institutionCity University of Seattle (CityU)
dc.rightsAttribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 United States
dc.rightsopenAccess
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/
dc.subjectmirror neurons
dc.subjectembodied simulation
dc.subjectmirror neuron system
dc.titleThe Impact of Mirror Neurons and Embodied Simulation on the Therapeutic Relationship
dc.typeCapstone
thesis.degree.disciplineCounselling
thesis.degree.grantorCity University of Seattle (CityU)
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Counselling
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
KyleeEvanukCapstone.pdf
Size:
295.78 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
Collections
CityU Scholarly Work (Open Access)