Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

Trauma Masterclass: Understanding and Repairing Our Hidden Wounds

61 snips

Nov 3, 2025

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Lindsay Gibson shares insights on the impact of inconsistent parenting, while Dr. Bessel van der Kolk delves into how trauma shapes our inner lives. Dr. Mariel Buqué explores intergenerational trauma's transmission through family dynamics. Elizabeth Ferreira discusses complex PTSD and offers somatic techniques for healing. Stephanie Foo emphasizes the power of relational repair, and Dr. Peter Levine highlights body-centered approaches. Finally, Dr. Gabor Maté critiques how our toxic culture fosters trauma, framing illness as a potential path to authenticity.

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INSIGHT

Trauma Becomes Who You Are Unless Repaired

Early abuse gets internalized because the brain's self-image forms from treatment by caregivers.
Changing that requires corrective experiences, not only rational reassurance.

ADVICE

Use Careful, Supported Interventions

Consider well-supervised therapeutic tools like MDMA-assisted therapy for deep developmental trauma.
Use neurofeedback and corrective relational experiences to calm systems before other work.

INSIGHT

Trauma Travels Through Generations

Trauma often runs through family trees via stories, behaviors, and even prenatal influences.
Understanding intergenerational patterns reframes personal symptoms as inherited responses.

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Today we’re revisiting some of our favorite episodes to explore one of the most salient topics in psychology today: trauma. We begin by tracing its developmental roots with Dr. Lindsay Gibson and Dr. Bessel van Der Kolk, before looking at how it can be passed down through family systems with Dr. Mariel Buqué, associate somatic therapist Elizabeth Ferreira, and author Stephanie Foo. Dr. Jacob Ham and Dr. Peter Levine then share new perspectives on healing, emphasizing the importance of getting out of the head and into the body. Finally, Dr. Gabor Maté discusses the cultural context of trauma, arguing that it's a symptom of a toxic culture.

Key Topics:

02:15: Dr. Lindsay Gibson on The Last Impact of Inconsistent Parenting and Lack of Attunement

23:16: Dr. Bessel van Der Kolk on Internalizing Abuse

39:34: Dr. Mariel Buqué on Intergenerational Trauma

58:54: Elizabeth Ferreira on Intergenerational Trauma, Complex PTSD, and Somatic Techniques

1:23:23: Stephanie Foo on Healing from Complex PTSD through Relationships

1:47:15: Dr. Jacob Ham on the Limits of Conceptualizing when treating Complex Trauma

2:06:52: Dr. Peter Levine on Somatic Experiencing and Moving Trauma Through Your Body

2:20:55: Dr. Gabor Maté and our Toxic Culture

2:43:55: Recap

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