The Habenula Unveiled
Breakthrough Neuroscience for Trauma, Motivation, and Addiction in Clinical Practice
- Speaker:
- Kyra Bobinet, MD-MPH
- Duration:
- 1 Hour 31 Minutes
- Format:
- Audio and Video
- Copyright:
-
Feb 24, 2026
- Product Code:
- POS150685
- Media Type:
- Digital Seminar
Description
When clients feel trapped in cycles of shame, relapse, or emotional shutdown, the key may lie in one of the brain’s smallest – but most powerful – structures: the habenula.
In this engaging 60-minute session, Dr. Kyra Bobinet, physician, behavioral neuroscientist, and award-winning author of Well-Designed Life, reveals how new discoveries about the habenula are transforming trauma and addiction treatment.
You’ll learn how to:
- Decode the habenula’s role in mood, motivation, self-talk, and addiction
- Understand how trauma rewires habenular pathways, fueling hopelessness and dysregulation
- Apply practical, neuroscience-informed techniques to restore motivation and balance in clients
- Recognize key limitations and ethical considerations in applying this emerging research
Walk away with science-backed tools to help clients move from defeat to drive – and insight into one of the most exciting frontiers in applied neuroscience.
Credit
Handouts/Brochure
| File type | File name | Number of pages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual - The Habenula Unveiled (9.6 MB) | 56 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| Transcript - The Habenula Unveiled (138.5 KB) | 25 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| Manual - The Habenula Unveiled - French (9.6 MB) | 56 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| Transcript - The Habenula Unveiled - French (138.5 KB) | 25 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| Manual - The Habenula Unveiled - Italian (9.6 MB) | 56 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| Transcript - The Habenula Unveiled - Italian (138.5 KB) | 25 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| Manual - The Habenula Unveiled - German (9.6 MB) | 56 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| Transcript - The Habenula Unveiled - German (138.5 KB) | 25 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| Manual - The Habenula Unveiled - Spanish (9.6 MB) | 56 Pages | Available after Purchase | |
| Transcript - The Habenula Unveiled - Spanish (138.5 KB) | 25 Pages | Available after Purchase |
Speaker
Kyra Bobinet, MD-MPH Related seminars and products
Kyra Bobinet, MD-MPH is a physician-entrepreneur, pioneering innovator, and leading voice in behavioral neuroscience, renowned for translating complex brain science into practical strategies that drive sustainable health change. As the CEO and founder of Fresh Tri, Dr. Bobinet reimagines well-being by shifting from outdated, performative models to brain-aligned, compassionate approaches that are measurable and effective. She is the inventor of the Iterative Mindset Method™, a groundbreaking, evidence-based framework rooted in neuroplasticity and the science of the habenula – the brain’s master controller of motivation, mood, and behavior. A bestselling author of Well Designed Life and Unstoppable Brain, Dr. Bobinet empowers audiences to break free from the shame of failed attempts and embrace the power of iteration. Her teachings and research deliver paradigm-shifting insights, blending authoritative science with stories, metaphor, and humor. She leaves colleagues and the public alike feeling seen, equipped, and inspired to transform challenges into iterative growth – learning that failure is not a verdict, but an invitation to try again. Dr. Bobinet’s mission is clear: to relieve suffering at scale by freeing people to work with, not against, their brains. Dr. Bobinet received her MPH from Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health from which she received the 2015 Health Innovator Award and her MD from UCSF School of Medicine from which she received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Award and the Dean’s Prize for Biomedical Research.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Kyra Bobinet is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Fresh Tri and maintains an employment relationship with the Stanford School of Medicine. She receives royalties as a published author and a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. Dr. Bobinet has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Kyra Bobinet has no relevant non-financial relationships.
Additional Info
Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)Access never expires for this product.
Questions?
Visit our FAQ page at www.pesi.com/faq or contact us at www.pesi.com/info
Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Describe the habenula’s role in behavioral and emotional regulation, including its impact on motivation, mood, self-talk, addiction, sleep, and hedonic eating.
- Explain how trauma alters habenular function and contributes to mood disorders and addiction vulnerability.
- Apply at least two neuroscience-informed interventions that engage habenula-related pathways to support trauma and addiction recovery, while acknowledging current research limitations and potential risks.
Outline
Revealing the Habenula: The Brain’s Motivation and Mood Gatekeeper
- Overview of habenular anatomy and neurobiology
- Role in regulating motivation, mood, decision-making, and aversive learning
- Influence on negative self-cognitions, sleep, hedonic eating, and addiction
- Why the habenula matters for the future of mental health treatment
Trauma and the Habenula: Pathways to Dysregulation and Vulnerability
- How chronic stress and trauma sensitize the habenula
- Links between habenular dysfunction, mood disorders, hypervigilance, and self-blame
- The intersection of trauma, addiction, and co-occurring mental health challenges
Clinical Application: Interventions to Modulate the Habenula
- Translating neuroscience into clinical practice
- Behavioral and somatic strategies (e.g., behavioral activation, cognitive restructuring, sleep hygiene, motivational interviewing for negative self-talk)
- Emerging neuromodulation research and its early implications
- Practical techniques and case-based examples for trauma and addiction recovery
Limitations and Clinical Considerations
- Current gaps in habenular research and translational challenges
- Clarifying where evidence supports (and does not yet support) intervention use
- Risk factors, limitations, and ethical guidelines for responsible clinical application
Target Audience
- Counselors
- Social Workers
- Psychologists
- Psychiatrists
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Addiction Counselors
- Other Mental Health Professionals
Reviews
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