The term interpersonal neurobiology was coined by Daniel Siegel in the 1990s to bring together knowledge from several scientific fields that show how the brain, our consciousness and our relationships influence each other and develop in interaction with each other. It is sometimes referred to as the neuroscience of relationships.

Relationships develop the human mind and many of its abilities. Our relationships, especially when we are children but also during the rest of our lives, affect our nervous system and thus many of our body and brain functions. For the child, it is vital to have close relationships with safe adults who recognize the child and meet the child’s needs. The absence of safe adults can affect the development of the brain and nervous system, which in turn affects behaviour, social skills and the ability to recover from stressful and traumatic situations.

A key word in interpersonal neurobiology is integration. Integration is about linking parts into a whole. Interpersonal neurobiology wants to show that mental health is about integration between the mind, body, brain, nervous system and our relationships. Consciousness regulates information both between our brains and within our brains based on what we experience and what we have experienced in our relationships. Our brain, our consciousness and our relationships constantly influence each other. Our relationships create and reshape our brains and nervous systems throughout our lives.

Over the past thirty years, Siegel has brought together researchers to provide an opportunity for integration between the theories developed in these research areas.