Webb Therapy Uncategorized The ‘Triune Brain’ theory by Neuroscientist Paul MacLean — an evolutionary perspective

The ‘Triune Brain’ theory by Neuroscientist Paul MacLean — an evolutionary perspective

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The Concept of the "Triune Brain"

In the 1960s, American neuroscientist Paul MacLean formulated the ‘Triune Brain’ model, which is based on the division of the human brain into three distinct regions. MacLean’s model suggests the human brain is organized into a hierarchy, which itself is based on an evolutionary view of brain development. The three regions are as follows:

  1. Reptilian or Primal Brain (Basal Ganglia)
  2. Paleomammalian or Emotional Brain (Limbic System)
  3. Neomammalian or Rational Brain (Neocortex)

At the most basic level, the brainstem (Primal Brain) helps us identify familiar and unfamiliar things. Familiar things are usually seen as safe and preferable, while unfamiliar things are treated with suspicion until we have assessed them and the context in which they appear. For this reason, designers, advertisers, and anyone else involved in selling products tend to use familiarity as a means of evoking pleasant emotions.

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Welcome to Webb TherapyWelcome to Webb Therapy

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Webb Therapy offers a casual, comfortable, and confidential space for therapeutic conversation, supporting people who are experiencing challenges and want to talk about them. Based in Surry Hills, Webb Therapy provides a warm, integrative counselling service.

The practice is led by Mitch Webb, who has extensive experience working with substance use, addiction, depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, and the processes of treatment and recovery.

He also has experience working with:

  • Gay men, men who have sex with men (MSM), and men exploring or questioning their sexuality, including those attracted to other men
  • Individuals experiencing suicidal ideation or intent
  • Individuals experiencing interpersonal challenges
  • Individuals experiencing existential challenges, including questions around meaning, purpose, identity, and direction

Mission & Goals
Webb Therapy is dedicated to offering a safe space for you to share your inner experience and learn how to navigate psychological and emotional pain, elevate self‑awareness, and build sustainable positive change – whether it’s improving relationships, setting meaningful goals, or ending patterns that no longer serve you.

Facebook Presence: Webb Therapy
The Facebook page encapsulates Webb Therapy’s core ethos: “Unlearn. Learn. Accept. Embrace. Change. Grow. Increase Self‑awareness,” reinforcing its person‑centred, self‑development focus.

Please Phone 0488 555 731 to schedule a booking.
Price: $120.00 for a 60 minute session. Please enquire if you are a low income earner or receiving Centrelink benefit.

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Honesty and CompassionHonesty and Compassion

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The phrase “Say what you mean, but don’t say it mean” is all about the balance between honesty and kindness in communication.

Here’s what it means:

  • “Say what you mean”:
    Be clear and truthful. Express your real thoughts and feelings. Don’t beat around the bush or pretend to agree when you don’t.
  • “But don’t say it mean”:
    Speak with kindness and respect. Even when you’re being honest or giving criticism, there’s no need to be rude, hurtful, or aggressive.

Why it matters:

This phrase promotes healthy communication. It’s a reminder that:

  • You can be honest without being harsh.
  • Tone and delivery matter just as much as the words.
  • Empathy and respect should guide your conversations—even when it’s hard.
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Are you feeling Restless, Irritable, and Discontent?Are you feeling Restless, Irritable, and Discontent?

| Mitchell WebbMitchell Webb| 0 Comment|

I would infer that you may be depleted in some area of your life. Generally, when I am having any of these experiences I can recognise that my basic needs, and possibly even transformative, needs are not met. My basic needs are food and water, adequate sleep, shelter and safety, social connection (belonging), and esteem needs (e.g., self-respect, self-worth, self-competence, mastery and achievement, integrity, sense of freedom and independence etc.). Perhaps only when all my deficiency needs are met, and I’m experiencing dissatisfaction with my growth needs, do I feel Restless, Irritable, and Discontent in this area of my life – however I assume some would argue that if I am feeling that way when attending to my growth needs, then I may have slipped back to Esteem Needs. You can look up Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs for a visual representation if you like, using a search engine. Below is a GIF that I created to educate people on how we can buffer ourselves to vulnerabilities. It’s very telling to go into the body when we haven’t eat for a while, may be we’re running on caffeine, and you can feel the restlessness in the body. We have to fuel up when we’re hungry to buffer ourselves from becoming irritable and restless. If you’re feeling discontent with life, I would suggest a social activity, play time with friends, working on a project of some kind, or getting involved in your community.

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