An illustrated introduction to the evolution and early development of the brain, emotions, and personality

Designed for psychologists, psychotherapists, and childcare professionals, this book is an accessible primer on developmental neuropsychology, combining easy-to-understand text with light-hearted illustrations. Covering topics such as the autonomic nervous system, neuroaffective development, the prefrontal cortex, and the zone of proximal development, The Neuroaffective Picture Book is a unique and useful tool for learning about emotions, social skills, and self-regulation. “The practice of psychotherapy is greatly enhanced by the understanding of developmental growth of babies, toddlers, and children. Marianne Bentzen is one of the truly original thinkers in this field. Bentzen brings these important concepts into an accessible, playful, and delightful form. This book is a gift not only to therapists, parents, and teachers, but it will also be engaging for those seeking to understand themselves through this important lens.”
—Peter A. Levine, PHD, author of Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma and Trauma-Proofing Your Kids: A Parents’ Guide to Instilling Confidence, Joy, and Resilience

“This little pearl of a book whispers to all your nonverbal experiences while adding significantly to your knowledge of developmental psychology and brain maturation. The lively and playful illustrations help professional therapists and clients alike get a ‘felt sense/gut feeling’ of the issues they are dealing with. A great book for everybody who works with other people; it is also a must for parents and expecting parents!”
—Diane Poole Heller, PHD, creator of the Dynamic Attachment Re-Patterning experience (DARe) workshop series and coauthor of Crash Course: A Self-Healing Guide to Auto Accident Trauma and Recovery