Interconnection between the brain hemispheres

The right brain explores, the left brain explains. When we play, we move into the right hemisphere. There we have great opportunities to access what is moving within and between us. The right hemisphere is important both for creating a sense of self and for building relationships. It helps us to open up to others in order to be known by others, and is closely linked to feelings of attachment. It is especially in the right hemisphere that mirror neurons are activated to understand and empathize with other people.

If therapy gets stuck in the left hemisphere, it becomes a conversation with questions and answers. The conversation locks up, because we are constantly expected to figure out the next answer. But when the conversation moves towards a story, using metaphors, stories we create, pictures we draw, dolls and figures we use to tell our story and express what is happening within us and between us, and role-playing where we get to try out new roles, then we are in the right hemisphere, where we get in touch on a deeper level with our feelings and body memories, our longings and our dreams. Feelings and memories that have not been put into words are stored in the right hemisphere, and it is not until the right hemisphere is engaged that we gain access to what hurts, what is confusing, what hurts and disturbs. In play, we get away from the stuck and judgmental. In play, we can find the joy and curiosity that opens our minds to the new that is waiting to come in. Hope is born there. There is something waiting. And it’s actually not that far away. It is possible to bring something new into life. We explore in the right hemisphere, but we then go into the left hemisphere and summarize. It is in the left hemisphere that our life story is formed into words. The right hemisphere is here and now, while the left hemisphere thinks backwards and forwards. When we can put into words what we think and feel, we can also create meaning. When we create meaning, a positive feeling arises. It is in the connection between the right and left hemispheres that the healing process of therapy takes place.

I think that play is a language rather than a method, a language that can be used in many different forms of therapy, including family therapy. Play is the first language of children. When we say “Show me!”, instead of asking questions to which we expect verbal answers, we invite play. Play allows us to make both the inner and outer world visible and concrete. It helps us to reflect on and recreate it together. Both the outer and inner worlds can be explored at a leisurely pace, where we have time to feel, understand and create new meaning. Play always needs to end in safety and joy. We do this by exploring what each of us would need, and imagining someone meeting those needs. In play, we explore the difficult past, and reinforce the new story – where safety and joy are found.

Play space can be created

– in the conversation – by engaging in playful exploration

– in stories and fairy tales

– in metaphors

– in the imaginary world – in the imagination, through visualization

– in drawing

– in sandbox, with figures and symbols

– with hand puppets

– in sculptures and role play

– with living chairs

– in motion

– in creating with materials of different kinds – with pictures, colors, clay, music.