As a therapist it is not uncommon for someone to ask me if I have recommendations for resources to provide more insight or perspective on a given topic. In this case when I refer to the word resource, I mean books. I decided it might be helpful to do this next series on a variety of books regarding a variation of topics. I will provide an overview of the book. I’m also going to discuss how a given resource could be helpful to clinicians and non-clinicians. All of the resources that I will cover in this, and future posts are ones I read of my own volition. I am not receiving any form of compensation from the authors nor their publishing companies.

Trauma is a complicated topic, both in treatment and in personal experience. What makes an event traumatic is not the specific incident, it’s the individual’s reaction to the incident. Two people could experience the same event and it is possible that only one person experiences it as traumatic. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, is a resource that gives an in-depth overview of what trauma is and how it impacts the human body. It also discusses non-medicinal body-based interventions that have been known to help individuals who have a history of trauma.

The book is broken into five parts. The first section discussed Van der Kolk’s experiences working with war veterans, his initial experiences working with trauma earlier on in his career. He also goes through the workings of the mind through neuroscience and what a trauma brain looks like.

In the second section Van der Kolk provides a detailed history lesson on trauma research, specifically how a trauma survivors functioning is greatly impacted if their trauma goes untreated. Detailed descriptions of the effects on the brain and central nervous system of a trauma survivor allows the reader a deeper comprehension of how trauma can stunt one’s ability to manage day to day life stressors. Dissociation, anger outbursts or re-living the event are just a few examples of behavioral responses that are discussed in this section of the book.

In the third section of the book, it takes a look at trauma and this stunts development in children. This section, as do the other ones, provide case examples of individual’s stories of their trauma and how it created dysfunction in their daily living. It’s important to mention that the examples Van der Kolb shares are graphic and detailed, meaning it’s not for the faint of heart. In short, read with caution as some of the stories could be triggering.

In the fourth section the book discusses memory. Van der Kolk goes into the brain’s capacity for creating memories, specifically how this process gets altered when one experiences trauma. Along with traumatic memory he discusses the heaviness that comes with remembering what happened and how this could be a re-traumatization. Especially in the case of individuals who have repressed traumatic memories. 

Once the reader has gone through the case examples, the research and information regarding the impact trauma has on the human body, comes section five. This section is the exploration of the interventions that are body focused to help those who have experienced trauma on the road to recovery. Interventions such as yoga, EMDR, neurofeedback and theater were a few examples that were explored in section five, providing insight on what the intervention is, it’s structure and how it specifically supports those who are learning to heal from trauma. Many of these interventions are more than just talk therapy, which is beneficial given that for some talking about the traumatic event could be triggering.

The Body Keeps the Score is an informative and engaging read. It provides insight and perspective that trauma is far more complex in regard to its impact on the individual as well as the treatment of it.

Benefits for the non-clinician

Individuals who have experienced or have someone they know experienced trauma could gain understanding of the physical impact when one is triggered. It also provides an overview of treatments for those who want help but are unsure of where to start.

Benefits for the clinician

Whether you are a therapist, doctor, psychiatrist or any other individual in the caregiving or mental health field this book is a helpful read. You may not work with trauma survivors; however, you can never predict who has experienced trauma and who hasn’t. As professionals, having a basic understanding of how some trauma survivors can present and the most effective ways to intervene is useful in working with clients.

I appreciate you taking the time to read this post, as I’m just trying to offer a few words of wisdom in a complex world. I hope you found it helpful. Life is hard and I am here to help. I offer individual, family, parent support and clinical supervision services to help your life journey. If you would like to set up a time to chat my contact information is below.

Jennifer Bailey, LCSW & RDT

jbaileytherapyservices@gmail.com

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