Heart Rate Variability in Mental Health and Psychotherapy

Abstract

Abstract This chapter explores the role of heart rate variability (HRV) in the phenomenology, scientific study, and treatment of mental disorders. To this end, the chapter starts with a review of the empirically determined association between HRV and mental health, followed by an introduction to the physiological underpinnings of HRV. Next, the main part focuses on the neurovisceral integration model as a theoretical explanation for the observed HRV–mental health association. Following this is an overview of various applications of HRV in psychotherapy research, diagnostics, and treatment with a special focus on HRV biofeedback. The chapter concludes with suggestions for future research that may enable more targeted use of HRV-related interventions in psychotherapy.