What is Somatic Coaching

In this book, Dr. Bessel van der Kolk uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma reshapes both the body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores various treatments, including neurofeedback, meditation, sports, drama, and yoga, which activate the brain’s natural neuroplasticity to aid in recovery. The book emphasizes the power of relationships in both causing and healing trauma and offers hope through descriptions of novel approaches to treatment. It is based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists in the field.

This book provides hands-on resources for both new and seasoned school coaches. It offers a model for transformational coaching that can be implemented as professional development in schools or districts, focusing on systems change and addressing equity issues. The book includes practical tools such as rubrics, cheat sheets, and coaching sentence stems, and it covers topics like creating a coaching vision, building trust, listening well, and developing a work plan. Although it addresses the needs of adult learners, the model maintains a student-centered focus.