Taking Care of Trauma

We will be reading and discussing: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk

This book teaching exercises to physically release trauma that gets stored and stuck in our tissues and to reset our nervous systems. We will do some light exercises together mixed in with discussion.

This book explains how trauma physically reshapes the brain and body, affecting memory, emotion, and relationships, and explores innovative treatments like EMDR, yoga, and neurofeedback for healing beyond traditional talk therapy. Published in 2014, the book argues that trauma is stored in the nervous system and requires body-based approaches to help survivors reclaim their lives.
Key concepts

• Trauma's physical impact:
  Traumatic stress alters the brain's limbic area and brain stem, affecting survival instincts, concentration, and the ability to feel safe in one's own body.
• Beyond talk therapy:
  The book emphasizes that talk therapy alone is often insufficient because trauma is stored non-verbally in the body.
• Healing modalities:
  It introduces various therapies that help rewire the brain and body, including:
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
• Trauma-sensitive yoga
• Neurofeedback
• Meditation, drama, and sports
• Hope for recovery:
  Van der Kolk uses scientific research and case studies to show how these methods help people regain control and fully engage in the present.

Author

• Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.: A leading psychiatrist and researcher in the field of post-traumatic stress (PTSD) since the 1970s, known for his work on the neurobiology of trauma.