Cognitive Change Improves the Therapeutic Process

Cognitive change is possible by strengthening the brain. Personal change is possible by examining the past to heal the present and create a positive future.

Improved cognitive functioning supports the therapeutic process, helping the healing to move forward.

Learn about Symbol Relations and the Therapeutic Process

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Clients who are engaged in the Arrowsmith Program Symbol Relations cognitive exercise are changing their brain’s capacity for reasoning, gaining insight, and making sense of their world. The outcomes of cognitive exercise enables a person to change their brain and change their future.

This has great implications for all kinds of learning in the present, as well as opportunities for healing the past.

Learn how improving cognitive capacities
can help the therapeutic process

Impact of a Symbol Relations difficulty

Symbol Relations, mental health and therapy

Enhancing Symbol Relations

Professional Observations of Cognitive Change

Concept of human intelligence with human brain on blue background

What is Neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity: the ability of the brain to change, both in structure and function.

The Arrowsmith Program uses neuroplastic principles to fundamentally improve the quality of life of individuals – at any age, and from any starting point.

What is Symbol Relations?

Symbol Relations is a higher-order cognitive function that is responsible for understanding and connecting ideas. It is involved in tasks that enable an individual to reason using logic, and to connect and process complex relationships and concepts simultaneously. It is essential for insight.

Learn more about Symbol Relations cognitive function.

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Evidence-Based Results

Research shows that participants engaging in the Arrowsmith Program experience:

Improved cognitive and academic performance

Increased independent and self-directed learning

Increased emotional and social well-being

Independence in activities and daily living

Reduction in feelings of depression, anxiety, aggression

A shift to a
growth mindset

Increased sense of
locus of control

Increase in attention, listening well, staying focused

Research Reports

Research on the effects of improving the Symbol Relations cognitive function show a range of positive outcomes, including changes in the brain, gains in cognitive abilities, academic learning, and social emotional well-being.

Arrowsmith Symbol Relations Cognitive Program Outcomes - Teen Challenge QLD Addiction Treatment Program

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Arrowsmith Symbol Relations Cognitive Program Outcomes

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Dr. Norman Doidge, research psychiatrist and author of "The Brain that Changes Itself," has had clients experience cognitive change in the Arrowsmith Program and states:

Once they were liberated from the cognitive deficits, they could go back and deal with other garden-variety psychotherapeutic issues and make progress at times much more quickly.

From "The Woman Who Changed Her Brain," 3^rd Edition p. 239

Dr. Sheila M. Furey, MD, a psychiatrist in practice for 20 years, began using the Arrowsmith Program with her clients in 2018 and observes:

One of the most wonderful things about this exercise (Symbol Relations) is that it creates the capacity to talk about events, not simply react to flashbacks. They (patients) can recognize that they are not in the past and they can build links to the future.

Sheila M. Furey, MD

Barbara Arrowsmith-Young is the Founder and Director of the Arrowsmith Program, and author of “The Woman Who Changed Her Brain”:

Increasing the functionality of the Symbol Relations cognitive function enables the individual to understand and make sense of themselves, of others and their world. These individuals experience an increased ability to learn and understand social and emotional behaviors that were once lost to them.

Barbara Arrowsmith-Young

Testimonials

“It's definitely helped me be able to process internal information and put it out there in a way that people seem to understand a lot better.“

Corelle, Teen Challenge QLD Participant

“After doing the program I found that I was starting to open up a lot more and when my therapist would try to tell me different techniques to help me with different issues, I was able to follow it a lot better and actually put it into practice, which was something I would never usually do before. “

Dave, Teen Challenge QLD Participant

I think I am becoming more patient. I thought I had done some brain damage with drugs, but my brain still works very good! I have also noticed my brain is more attentive in all aspects of life in the past 7 weeks of doing this program.

Tony

I've noticed I have an improved ability to speak clearly and also an improvement in my anxiety levels. I have really seen an improvement in my ability to think clearly and recall information.

Ann

I have felt a dramatic change in my decision-making.

Tom

I was able to manage my negative emotions through the Arrowsmith Program by keeping a clear head, keeping a positive outlook and persevering through the program.

Janet

I’ve noticed changes in my comprehension, thinking and ability to do tasks.

Mike

Her stress level is much lower, and she laughs a lot now. When she does get too stressed over something, she's able to address the issue easier.

Melissa's Parent

I have noticed I understand things more logically now when I am doing something. I am also improving a lot in other areas such as emotional and general intelligence.

Susan

In the Media

Cognitive Change Improves the Therapeutic Process

Learn about Symbol Relations and the Therapeutic Process

Learn how improving cognitive capacities
can help the therapeutic process

Impact of a Symbol Relations difficulty

Symbol Relations, mental health and therapy

Enhancing Symbol Relations

Professional Observations of Cognitive Change

What is Neuroplasticity?

What is Symbol Relations?

Evidence-Based Results

Research Reports

Arrowsmith Symbol Relations Cognitive Program Outcomes - Teen Challenge QLD Addiction Treatment Program

Arrowsmith Symbol Relations Cognitive Program Outcomes

Barbara Arrowsmith-Young, Arrowsmith Program Founder and Director discusses research:

Dr. Norman Doidge, research psychiatrist and author of "The Brain that Changes Itself," has had clients experience cognitive change in the Arrowsmith Program and states:

Dr. Sheila M. Furey, MD, a psychiatrist in practice for 20 years, began using the Arrowsmith Program with her clients in 2018 and observes:

Barbara Arrowsmith-Young is the Founder and Director of the Arrowsmith Program, and author of “The Woman Who Changed Her Brain”:

Watch Barbara's Presentation: Symbol Relations and the Therapeutic Process

Testimonials

Tony

Ann

Tom

Janet

Mike

Melissa's Parent

Susan

In the Media

Huffington Post Article: How My Learning Disability Affected My Mental Health

TEDx Talk – Barbara Arrowsmith-Young

Barbara Arrowsmith-Young speaks about Learning Disabilities and Mental Health

Want to learn more about how the Arrowsmith Program benefits the therapeutic process?

Cognitive Change Improves the Therapeutic Process

Learn about Symbol Relations and the Therapeutic Process

Learn how improving cognitive capacities can help the therapeutic process

Impact of a Symbol Relations difficulty

Symbol Relations, mental health and therapy

Enhancing Symbol Relations

Professional Observations of Cognitive Change

What is Neuroplasticity?

What is Symbol Relations?

Evidence-Based Results

Research Reports

Arrowsmith Symbol Relations Cognitive Program Outcomes - Teen Challenge QLD Addiction Treatment Program

Arrowsmith Symbol Relations Cognitive Program Outcomes

Barbara Arrowsmith-Young, Arrowsmith Program Founder and Director discusses research:

Dr. Norman Doidge, research psychiatrist and author of "The Brain that Changes Itself," has had clients experience cognitive change in the Arrowsmith Program and states:

Dr. Sheila M. Furey, MD, a psychiatrist in practice for 20 years, began using the Arrowsmith Program with her clients in 2018 and observes:

Barbara Arrowsmith-Young is the Founder and Director of the Arrowsmith Program, and author of “The Woman Who Changed Her Brain”:

Watch Barbara's Presentation: Symbol Relations and the Therapeutic Process

Testimonials

Tony

Ann

Tom

Janet

Mike

Melissa's Parent

Susan

In the Media

Huffington Post Article: How My Learning Disability Affected My Mental Health

TEDx Talk – Barbara Arrowsmith-Young

Barbara Arrowsmith-Young speaks about Learning Disabilities and Mental Health

Want to learn more about how the Arrowsmith Program benefits the therapeutic process?

Learn how improving cognitive capacities
can help the therapeutic process