Trauma: Dr Bessel Van Der Kolk

"Neuroscience research shows that the only way we can change the way we feel is by becoming aware of our inner experience and learning to befriend what is going on inside us"

Dr Bessel van der Kolk is a titan in the world of trauma research. He’s the author of the seminal best-selling book about trauma - The Body Keeps the Score - which has been published in 38 languages and read by millions of people around the world.

As the title of his book implies, trauma leaves imprints within our bodies and brains that can lead to physical and mental health problems.

Bessel has studied numerous ways that help us heal – and he splits them into three categories: Top Down, bottom up – and medicinal.

Top down processing involves things like traditional talking therapies.

Bottom up focusses on somatic, body based interventions.- as feeling safe within our own bodies is key.

Medicinal treatment is where SSRI anti-depressant medication comes in.

In this episode:

• How common trauma is
• Bessel’s frustration with the 'over medicalisation' of trauma
• We are social creatures, the importance of our place in social systems
• The role of our parental relationships
• The British boarding school phenomenon
• How trauma drives people to great achievements
• Trauma is pre-verbal
• The benefit of being triggered and leaning into that
• The importance of mindfulness
• Somatic therapies including yoga, QiGong and team sports
• Shadow work/ internal family systems
• Psychedelic therapy
• Advice if you want to address your own trauma & how to avoid passing it down generation to generation

CAUTION: This conversation contains themes of an adult nature and references to sexual assault.

Bessel's website: https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/

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