Reflections on the physical and biological dimension of the person in psychotherapy and in PNEI-oriented clinical practice

This paper proposes a reflection on integrating the physical and biological dimensions in PNEI-oriented psychotherapy. Starting from the paradox of a growing theoretical attention to the body in comparison with its marginality in clinical practice, the authors invite us to consider the human being as a unitary organism, in which mind and body constitute an interdependent system. Along the path from Freud through Ferenczi and Reich to contemporary neurosciences, a circular and relational paradigm is outlined, capable of connecting psychic and biological processes. The PNEI perspective is proposed as a framework to overcome the fragmentation of psychotherapeutic models and to promote an integrated vision of health and care. Significant and necessary modifications to both the basic theoretical assumptions and the techniques of intervention and care are derived from this and are discussed.