“In order to change, people need to become aware of their sensations…”Personal growth is intertwined with our interactions and experiences with others. Leaders can facilitate change by encouraging self-awareness and nurturing positive interpersonal dynamics.

The Role of Relationships

“Trauma results in a fundamental reorganization of the way the mind and brain manage perceptions.”Trauma reshapes our cognitive framework, affecting how we perceive and interact with the world. Recognising this helps in understanding behaviours in oneself and others. Leaders should approach their team members with empathy, knowing that past traumas might influence their reactions.

Understanding Trauma

“Social support is not the same as merely being in the presence of others…”Merely being surrounded by people doesn't ensure emotional well-being; genuine connections do. Leaders should foster meaningful interactions, ensuring everyone feels heard and valued, enhancing overall team cohesion and performance.

Adapting to Stress

“Mindfulness not only makes it possible to survey our internal landscape…”Being present and self-aware are crucial for personal well-being and effective leadership. Encouraging mindfulness can help individuals respond rather than react, leading to better decision-making and interactions.

Presence and Mindfulness

The book delves into the ways that trauma can affect the body and mind, and how it can be treated.1. The Nature of Trauma: Dr. van der Kolk begins by explaining what trauma is and how it can shape an individual's brain, body, and perception of the world.2. Brain Changes: Trauma can alter the brain's structure and function. The author delves into how different areas, like the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, are impacted by traumatic experiences.3. Survival Mechanisms: Traumatized individuals may exhibit behaviors such as dissociation or freezing as a way to cope with threatening situations.

Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

“As long as you keep secrets and suppress information, you are fundamentally at war with yourself…”Denial or suppression of one's feelings or experiences creates internal conflict. For holistic well-being and effective leadership, it's crucial to acknowledge and address both mental and physical responses to experiences. Internal alignment leads to authentic and effective external interactions.

The Mind-Body Connection

“Neuroplasticity is an intrinsic property of the human brain…”The brain's ability to reorganize itself means individuals can learn and adapt throughout life. Leaders can foster a growth mindset, emphasizing continuous learning and adaptation, benefiting both personal and organizational growth.

Neuroplasticity and Change

“Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health…”Safety and trust form the foundation for mental health and productive relationships. Leaders must prioritise creating a safe space where team members feel valued and understood, leading to better collaboration and innovation.

The Importance of Safety

“Children are biologically programmed to grow best in the care of a committed caregiver.”Our early years shape our adult responses. Leaders should recognize that early nurturing—or lack thereof—can deeply impact a person's ability to trust and collaborate. Creating a supportive environment can help individuals thrive.

Impact of Childhood Experiences

“Being able to move and breathe freely – the way you did when you were a child – can profoundly enhance your sense of vitality…”Resilience is about reclaiming one's inherent vitality and capacity for growth. Leaders can cultivate resilience by fostering environments where experimentation and learning from failures are encouraged.

Resilience and Growth

4. Developmental Trauma: The book also covers the impact of trauma on children and how early traumatic experiences can shape the developing brain and influence adulthood.5. Paths to Recovery: Dr. van der Kolk outlines various therapeutic approaches that can be effective in treating trauma. This includes talk therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), neurofeedback, yoga, and more.6. The Social Aspect: emphasizes the importance of community and social connection in healing trauma.

The Impact of Trauma

The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

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Understand yourself and those around you.

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Trauma: The Journey to Healing

Every decision of self sabotage and self neglect has an impact. The body keeps the score.

THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER - OVER 3 MILLION COPIES SOLD 'Dr. van der Kolk's masterpiece combines the boundless curiosity of the scientist, the erudition of the scholar, and the passion of the truth teller' Judith Herman, author of Trauma and Recovery The effects of trauma can be devastating for sufferers, their families and future generations. Here one of the world's experts on traumatic stress offers a bold new paradigm for treatment, moving away from standard talking and drug therapies and towards an alternative approach that heals mind, brain and body. 'Fascinating, hard to put down, and filled with powerful case histories. . . . the most important series of breakthroughs in mental health in the last thirty years' Norman Doidge, author of The Brain that Changes Itself 'An astonishing and important book. The trauma Bible. I cannot recommend it enough for anyone struggling with...well...anything' Tara Westover

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#1 New York Times bestseller “Essential reading for anyone interested in understanding and treating traumatic stress and the scope of its impact on society.” —Alexander McFarlane, Director of the Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies A pioneering researcher transforms our understanding of trauma and offers a bold new paradigm for healing in this New York Times bestseller   Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, has spent over three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments—from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga—that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity. Based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists, The Body Keeps the Score exposes the tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal—and offers new hope for reclaiming lives.

Bessel A. Van der Kolk is an accomplished writer whose work has resonated with readers around the world. Bessel A. Van der Kolk has published several books that explore a range of topics, from fiction to nonfiction, and has received critical acclaim for the ability to weave compelling narratives. Bessel A. Van der Kolk's writing style is known for its depth and authenticity, and has earned quite a loyal following of readers.