Sensory Integration Theory in Psychotherapy: A Case Study

AbstractAs emotional beings in a physical body, human consciousness and perception are bombarded with information from within and without. Information comes from the body ’s sensory systems, which helps a human know if a situation is safe or not safe, pleasurable or painful, with which to engage or to avoid. As situations become common, the body lessens the response in deference to new situations. The push and pull of neural focus impacts perception, behavior, and emotions. This paper uses sensory integration theory to examine a psychotherapeutic case study and make connections to perceptions and worldview that stem from the body responses to the environment. Sensory systems are explained in the context of the lived experience of an adult and his reflection o n childhood. This case study sheds light on the maladaptive behaviors that may arise from misperceptions and suggests a therapeutic approach that uses the connection of mind and body to build rapport, work through client resistance, and ultimately bring subconscious body processes that impact percep tion into consciousness.
Source: Clinical Social Work Journal - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research