The fact that "practice" changes the brain is a great example of long-term potentiation with accompanying neuronal changes that facilitate neural pathway strengthening. Psychotherapy directed at maturational communcation works in much the same way--the brain slowly rewires over time through the repetition of themes and interactions with a competent therapist.
http://discovermagazine.com/2010/apr/16-the-brain-athletes-are-geniuses
http://discovermagazine.com/2010/apr/16-the-brain-athletes-are-geniuses