What is Dual‑Brain Psychology?

Dr. Fredric Schiffer, a Harvard Medical School assistant professor and research associate at McLean Hospital, proposes that our minds consist of two distinct voices—each rooted in one hemisphere of the brain.

 One hemisphere often houses a more mature, resilient voice, while the other carries an emotionally wounded, immature part shaped by early trauma.

The goal of Dual‑Brain Psychology therapy is to shift dominance from the wounded side to the healthier side, encouraging the mature half to act as a co‑therapist and guide healing.

How does it work?

Dr. Schiffer uses simple yet powerful techniques to stimulate one hemisphere at a time:

• Lateral visual-field stimulation: Patients use sunglasses or even junk mail to block the view to one side, thereby activating the opposite hemisphere. Within seconds, cravings, anxiety, or depressive feelings shift dramatically depending on the side stimulated.

• Direct dialogue: The therapist may address the wounded side like a wounded child—“We need you to help”—encouraging its participation and cooperation .

• Photobiomodulation: Near‑infrared light therapy through the forehead targets one hemisphere, showing promise for opioid addiction treatment. A clinical trial, supported by NIH, is currently underway.

Evidence & Applications

• Books and research: Schiffer’s 1998 landmark Of Two Minds, revised in 2021, detailed his clinical methods and reported success with anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction—even psychosis and cardiac trauma.

• Journal articles: His work on cerebral laterality and personality, hemisphere-stimulation, and photobiomodulation has been published in peer-reviewed journals like Frontiers in Psychology.

• Clinical outcomes: Techniques tested over 30+ years at Harvard and McLean have led to lasting transformations in patients, especially those with unrecognized early trauma.

Who can benefit?

Dual‑Brain Psychology has shown promise in treating:

• Anxiety & depression: By engaging the mature hemisphere, patients can break free from emotional paralysis.

• Addiction & cravings: Simple hemisphere shifts can eliminate urges for drugs, alcohol, gambling.

• PTSD and trauma: Addressing covert or overt childhood wounds through this dual-mind approach sparks true healing.

A groundbreaking, accessible approach

Dr. Schiffer’s methods are drug-free, pragmatic, and teachable—making them accessible not only to therapists, but also to laypersons through his books Of Two Minds and Good‑bye Anxiety, Depression, Addiction & PTSD.

He trains clinicians via his institute to use hemisphere-stimulation tools in practice, tailoring them to individual patients’ needs .

Why it matters

Dual‑Brain Psychology rewrites the trauma recovery narrative. Instead of suppressing symptoms, it seeks to balance and unify the two minds—transforming fractured internal voices into a single, healed self.

It bridges neuroscience and psychotherapy, providing fresh insight into why certain problems resist traditional treatments and how a simple shift in brain dominance can unlock healing.

Learn more & explore

• Watch the video above for a detailed walkthrough of Dr. Schiffer’s approach.

• Visit dualbrainpsychology.com to explore clinical articles, techniques, and training options.

• Read Schiffer’s books:

  • Of Two Minds (1998, 2nd ed. 2021), explores theory and first-hand case studies.

  • Good‑bye Anxiety, Depression, Addiction & PTSD dives into new tools, stories, and photobiomodulation.

In summary, Dual‑Brain Psychology offers a practical, neuroscience-informed path to healing by activating the brain’s healthier, mature hemisphere to partner with its wounded counterpart. It’s an empowering, easy-to-learn method with real-world success across a wide range of mental health challenges.