Working with Attention

Abstract

Attention is one of our primary gateways to the world. How we use this built-in capacity makes a difference in the quality of life. Many clients have difficulties with their attention. They may be unable to control it, or perhaps they overcontrol it. A number of psychological problems have been interpreted in terms of how attention is affected. Aging and Alzheimer’s Disorder, ADHD, Autism, Borderline Personality Disorder, Neglect, and Schizophrenia all have distinct disruptions of normal attention. Alterations in attention occur in typical psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and addictions. Psychotherapy requires that patients turn their attention to feelings, thoughts, and behaviors, but those who suffer from these problems have difficulties doing so. Training attention will not only help clients with their psychological problems, it will also make it easier for them to engage fully in the therapy process itself. There are additional benefits in working with attention. As clients begin to gain some control over their attention, their brain structures and functions change. Cognitive retraining can improve attention. Hypnotic methods depend on attention as part of the process. And the great meditation traditions work directly with attention. Chapter 15 provides current neuroscience models of the brain systems involved in attention. It also offers therapeutic techniques to stimulate the brain for improved attentional abilities. By making attention training part of treatments, treatment progresses more smoothly and clients benefit in specific and nonspecific ways.