The Body Keeps the Score: A Journey Through Trauma and Healing

Writer: Katherine Ames

Trauma—just hearing the word can transport us to moments of pain, confusion, or vulnerability. For some, it’s a blurry memory of a scolding or a careless comment; for others, it’s a deep, enduring wound that shapes their lives. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, a renowned psychiatrist and trauma expert, has dedicated his career to understanding these experiences and offering hope for healing. His groundbreaking book, The Body Keeps the Score, is a testament to his decades of research, clinical practice, and his unwavering persute to helping those in need (which has allowed him to provide such profound insights into the ways trauma affects the brain, body, and mind).

Dr. van der Kolk uses a variety of innovative techniques to help patients process and heal from trauma. One of his key approaches is body-based therapies, such as yoga and mindfulness. These practices help individuals reconnect with their bodies, which often become sources of discomfort or detachment after trauma. By building physical awareness and self-regulation, patients can begin to feel safe within their own skin again—a crucial step toward recovery. Mindfulness is a technique I try to incorporate daily. It’s not as easy as one may think. Being able to sit with one’s own thoughts and feelings without judgement or criticism requires practice, but the benefits are definitely worth it.

Another technique he supports is neurofeedback, a method that uses real-time brain activity

monitoring to help patients retrain their neural pathways (while I was reading this chapter I

envisioned a gaming set up but instead of a controller, the patient is using their minds to control what’s happening on the screen, very sci-fi). Trauma often disrupts the brain’s natural rhythms, leading to heightened states of arousal or numbing. Neurofeedback gives the patient the ability to regain control over their mental states, promoting balance and resilience. This approach bolsters Dr. van der Kolk’s belief in the brain’s remarkable capacity for healing and adaptation.

Dr. van der Kolk also integrates creative and expressive therapies, such as theater and art, into his treatment plans. These modalities provide individuals with safe spaces to explore and

express their emotions. Sometimes words are not the answer but rather the need to move is.

By engaging in these activities, individuals can process their experiences in ways that feel less threatening and more empowering, paving the way for deeper healing. I personally feel

connected with this topic in the book as it was through obtaining my degree in theatre that I

realized my true calling. Psychology .

In his work, Dr. van der Kolk has been a vocal advocate for addressing the devastating impact

of child abuse. He emphasizes that early trauma can fundamentally alter brain development,

leading to lifelong challenges in emotional regulation, relationships, and physical health. He

argues, and provides significant data to support his belief, that society must prioritize prevention and intervention, recognizing the profound and lasting effects of neglect and abuse on young minds. His insights serve as a call to action for creating environments where children can feel safe, valued, and supported.

Reading The Body Keeps the Score has been a thought altering, transformative experience for me. Dr. van der Kolk’s compassionate and evidence-based approach resonates deeply with my own beliefs about the importance of healing and self-discovery. His work inspires me to contribute to the journey of recovery, as I hope to do within the psychology field as a therapist. I share in his hope for a future where trauma no longer defines us, and I am recommitted to being part of the healing process.