Do psychotherapy and (computational) neuroscience need each other? An invitation to therapists.

This article examines the complex relationship between neuroscience—particularly computational neuroscience—and psychotherapy, emphasizing both its potential benefits and risks. It argues that while neuroscience can enrich psychotherapy by elucidating brain–mind mechanisms such as prediction errors, interoception, and learning processes, it should not be pursued with unrealistic expectations of quick breakthroughs or biomarkers for personalized treatment. The article highlights the importance of integrating therapists’ clinical wisdom with neuroscientific research to ensure relevance and cautions against neuroscience overshadowing the essential therapeutic process of learning through real-life social interactions. It calls for collaboration between therapists, patients, and neuroscientists to shape research that meaningfully addresses the therapeutic relationship and supports effective psychological change.