The treatment of trauma can be some of the most complex work practitioners face.
And for years, this challenge was complicated by not having a clear picture of the impact that trauma has on the brain.
But scientific advances within just the past few years have opened the eyes of practitioners to what actually happens in the brain of someone who has experienced trauma.
And according to Bessel van der Kolk, MD, there are three major ways that the brain changes in response to trauma.
To find out what they are (and their impact on the body), take a look at the video below – it’s just 3 minutes.
Bessel is one of the world’s leading experts in trauma and PTSD. Because of his research, we have a deeper understanding of how trauma impacts both body and brain.
And this is crucial – it can help us target our interventions more effectively.
So now, we’d like to hear from you . . .
When it comes to the treatment of trauma, what do you want to know most? Please leave your comment below.
barb FL says
I was denied a bedpan 4 days in rehab after knee replaced. Also had untreated drug reaction with fibrillation resulting in PTSD. My brain is intellectually OK but colors/music/multitracking is gone. NBroawrdHealth says talk therapy is only option.
Gay Nyberg soon to be Student PTA ( Psychology ) says
I find this very interesting and useful information. Personally I m experiencing brain Trauma. I have SSCD which I have been working with since 201. After the fall which cause whiplash and a concussion, I saw a specialist on Brain Trauma, he sent me to a Head and neck specialist, who could not find anything other than degeneration. I experienced 3 concussions since. I have the overall achy feeling bad, constant Fight or fliggt, wired but tired feelings. All That Dr. Bassel van der Kolk said is what Im experiencing. What kind of specialist should I be seeing. Im seeing a wonderful psychologist. She has been wonderful and the most help.
jana fibromyalgia disabled (EMT, Search and Rescue) New Wilnington PA says
I am interested in the connection between fibro/pain/emotional processing parts of the brain and how PTSD might affect this disease.
michael bennett rwtired fort bragg ca says
I was a victum of ahome invasion in 2008 was in a coma six weeks recovering from brain swelling. Today and for the past seven years I sleep four hours and less each day. I have no memory of the incident at all I do not loock my door to my house where I sleep or remove the key from my car. I do not have a fear based mind. you might say I am fearless. This was my girl frends idea. evedently she thinks something is wrong with me. Because I guestion just about every thing she does. she dosen’t like rthe word why, and feels threatend by it.
Linda , licensed psychotherapist, USA says
how well do you think EMDR works for trauma treatment?
Steve Walsh retired Veterans employment counselor says
Jonice Webb’s, PHD, book Running on Empty clearly makes this case: Emotional deprivation is trauma.
Sandy Krzyzanowski, yoga instructor, yoga therapy student, Brooklyn Park, MN says
Can memory issues, both short term and long term, be a side effect of shock therapy. And is there anything you can do to recover that part of the brain? Is dementia from trauma inevitable and can it be reversed?
Lana Hooks, Writer, Decatur, GA says
How can I stop the thoughts of someone trying to harm me? When I walk anywhere I think I’m going to be harmed by males. I fought alot growing up and the I stopped. I was just tired. Fighting my family, peers, was just to much after a while. I stopped protecting myself. Even in college I was hit and pushed by males, and beat in my thirties. I walked away from it thank God, but I still think that someone is going to hit me or shove me when I’m walking. Or, I think someone is going to take something from me without asking. I was severely bullied growing up and into my adulthood. Also we lacked food in our home growing up so as an adult if someone eats my food without asking I get extremely upset. The crazy part about this is I will feed you if you are hungry. I won’t see a person go without but all I ask is that you ask if you want something from me. Just don’t assume that I won’t mind. I ask family, friends, anyone if I want something from them. And yes, I am in counseling. I just wanted more feedback on what other things I can do to help leave these memories where they should be – in the past. Thank you!
klinger-retired-canada says
Hi Lana,
I understand phobia from a lifetime of suffering. I’ve been able to reduce the suffering from the phobia in my life by a series of questions: 1) what purpose is served by this phobic strategy that my mind created? 2) what benefit do I get from the phobia? 3) is the phobia effective at helping? 4) is there a better solution to the problem?
While asking these questions EVERY TIME you feel phobic, NEVER TRY TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS! Let your unconscious mind provide the answers. Do not struggle. Relax and let go once you’ve asked the questions.
The mind holds onto the phobic strategy (that is ineffective and even counterproductive) because it hasn’t got another strategy. The phobic strategy is meant to make us feel happy and safe, but it’s actually a failure, because the phobia just makes us feel restricted and it ultimately reduces our quality of life.
We need to ask our unconscious brain to find a better strategy so we can feel happy & safe…and then let go.
Let me know if anyone finds this useful.
Bertha Reilly, Physical Therapist, oakland, CA says
I agree totally with putting the questions to the unconscious mind and letting them sit there without the conscious mind trying to answer.
Thanks for affirming for me this technique that helps with many problems.
Arlene Russell, LSCSW Midwest USA says
Simple, yet profound explanation of the effects of trauma. I notice in reading previous comments there is a wealth of information provided by other helpers, in addition to the webinars NICABM offers. Like others I want to know more about the midline of the brain and it’s role in body awareness.
Jeri Sutton-Shores, LPC, Colorado Springs, CO says
I would like more discussion about the “targeted intervention” material.
Antonia Caruso, Elementary School Counaellor, BC Canada says
I would be interested in techniques that are based upon the brain research for children 5-12 years old. I work with many students who are effected by the “Residential School” experiences of their parents, grand parents and Aboriginal community. Many of these students are in foster care multiple times.
Karen,CH, Mississippi says
The PTSD treatment that has helped me personally and professionally more than any other has been Holigraphic Memory Resolution, developed by Brent Baum over 15 years ago. HMR is a unique body-centered, client centered approach that facilitates the mapping & resolution of many memory-based pathologies and is the first plan I have found that combines somatic, energy, & color psychologies. It has been identified by leading addictionogists as one of the most powerful and effective relapse-prevention tools available today. For a greater explanation of HMR, go to healingdimensions.com
Paula Childcare Los Angeles says
I want to hear about the transgenerational impacts of slavery and ways to treat. I’d also like to hear about how to treat adopted children who were in the foster care system.
Thank u
P Newsome
AnnaMaria Life Coach The Netherlands says
Very well explained! How do we ensure that clients get the right treatment? It seems as if treating PTSD has become a bandwagon with lots of therapists jumping on with their own solutions.
Dr. Virginia Hurley, CMC, PCC , MCAC, NY says
I’s love to know more about the “blunting” process of body awareness. the concept of the mid-line of the brain providing us with body awareness, and the way trauma affects that is important and fascinating. Targeting interventions to this part of the brain’s change through trauma would be of interest to me.
Susan Taylor, School Psychologist says
Good information! Sign me up!
Mikka Barkman, NA Healer says
“German New Medicine” explains it all in a very precise way.
Lisa, LifeCoach, Sarnia Ontario Canada says
How this valuable info can best be applied to educating & helping people better cope with living with chronic illnesses that affect brain function (eg. Chronic Lyme, CFS, fibromyalgia, MS) . PTSD is often “stirred up” when dealing with brain issues ( both directly & indirectly) with the challenges & adaptations associated with chronic illness.
Sue,social worker, sydney australia says
How to we get non- believers in the family to accept this ! Those who see traumatised children as bad or their partners as over-sensitive….. they cause more pain and resist newinformation !
Michaelnguyen Chaplain and Veteran, Nashville Tn says
I have found this very useful. I am currently reading his book the Body Keeps The Score, because it is required reading for my training as a trauma release exercise/tension release exercise provider. This is a program designed by Doctor David Berceli. I also combine that with mindfulness since I am a Buddhist Monk or Chaplain in the Tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. I work mainly with Veterans and Furst Responders. It really help them to understand how there mind and body work together and also helps them with the other issues of moral injury.
Ruth Buczynski, PhD says
Here’s a link to Bessel’s book that Michaelnguyen is referring to.
Janina Tiner, LMFT Nashville, TN says
Silvermoon, in regards to your question, “How do you reconnect again with a great sense of self?”, I find invaluable the implementation of a therapeutic model developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz, Internal Family Systems (IFS). Integrating IFS and EMDR has created incredible long lasting healing for clients. I would like for Ruth and Bessel to speak about the use of Internal Family Systems as a treatment for trauma. IFS can be used as an intervention to treat all 3 of these presentations of trauma/PTSD.
Nicole Richon-Schoel LMHC. Gloucester MA says
I work with trauma victims, primarily with survivors of domestic violence. I am a therapist in private practice. Most of us in the field are convinced of the efficacy of EMDR. I have not yet had the opportunity to take the Francis Shapiro EMDR Institute training, and frankly find it quite expensive. I would recommended any suggestions that are evidenced based beyond CBT for working with this population.
Thank you
bruce z. kaplan m.d. says
is there a connection between trauma. particularly in regard to the three pathologies described by Dr.
Van der Kolk and the development of ADHD, where catastophizing and the blunting of self awareness
also occur.
Marion Houghton, LMFT, South Orange, NJ says
There are times when I get co-opted by the patient’s experience and find myself “drowning” with them. I’d like to know how to recover from this state.
Shirley Darling, Teacher/Volunteer Social Worker, California says
I want to know how to point refugees from war torn countries in an initial direction of healing. They have so many issues; where to begin?
Deborah Sue Pomeroy says
This is a wonderful understanding on how different parts of the brain are effected by trauma resulting on PTSD. Correlating how the body physically takes on the stress and the systemic effects at different stages like a ring on the tree might help stop and reverse the process through dealing with the core cause of trauma and the outlying effects on the body. This functional medicine approach pared with a functional psychology approach could be fascinating to peel the onion targeting specific layers to restore strengthen one by one on a solid foundation. The physical symptoms increase the stress and decrease the functioning leaving all systems on overdrive to long depleted and causing more havoc on top of the ongoing psychological ones, ultimately spiraling out of control …
Janet, family therapist, USA says
I need practical interventions. How to educate clients in what has happened to their brains and bodies and how we begin the journey together to repair.
thank you
Julie Taylor-Browne, Feldenkrais Teacher, Helston, UK says
What type of body work helps with PTSD and changing the brain again?
Joanie. Retired. Australia says
Identifying
Gai, CAM therapist, Australia says
I’d like to know how to treat survivors of drug facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) whose trauma is locked in their un/subconscious because they were in an altered state of consciousness when traumatised. Their trauma-directed responses come from their un/subconscious and there is no conscious access to the source of theim. How do you work with these un/subconscious traumatic memories? The survivor has dysfunctional reactions to events/people but no conscious understanding of them – other than having to join the dots themselves and PRESUME what is going on. Thanks.
Jennifer O'Connell Clinical Social Worker Australia says
Are there some specific programs or strategies for helping to re-train the brain in the areas affected by PTSD?
Tom Lucas, Mind Body Research, London, UK, says
Dear Ruth and Bessel
As ever, thank you, and I would like to learn more about coping with, and/or relieving, trauma of the non-life-threatening but nevertheless stressful kind – such as the loss-of-a-loved one, loss-of-a-loved way of life, early loss of a parent, or witnessing a fatal event – especially in the context of community- or self-health care algorithm.
Specifically, I need to learn more about the links between the mind and the spine, neck, and head, because I have seen some dramatic healing changes through the (mysterious?) medium of stroking certain so-called Governing and Conception Vessel meridian acu-points according to the Zen versions of shiatzu, together with ‘following the breath’ (a.k.a. mindful contemplation), which I can so far only explain via the polyvagal theories of our dear friend Stephen Porges.
Best wishes.
Judith, Nurse Canada says
I am interested to know what techniques that life coaches such as myself can use for clients who come to them with minor traumatic experiences that do not always require the services of a physician or psychiatrist. Helping such individuals allows me to monitor how they respond and refer if need be.
Laurie Schwartz, Somatic Psychotherapist New York City says
I am quite relieved and happy to hear Bessel. He is very grounded and clear and wise and aware of how trauma does effect the lives of people. His devotion to trauma healing has been apparent for many years.
If we want to help people with trauma who need relief and healing and support then each one of us as practitioners really needs to also face our own unresolved shadow dynamics. Frankly, I have been working with people and families with mental illness and drug addiction and war trauma for the past 20 years and what I have observed over and over again is that many practitioners who mean well and who have not really resolved their own trauma history or who have not really spent time with people that are in deep trauma are just not effective. So, what I would like to see more of is some interviews with people who are trained in trauma and who work with prisoners in the prison system and who also have worked in hospitals and rehabs. I would like to find a tribe of people who know what Bessel knows and Peter Levine and Pat Ogden and who can speak and be interviewed of how their training in trauma healing did assist them in helping the victims of trauma more specifically people who have been sexually abused, people who have been in the prison system and people who have also had children or siblings who have been in 2-5 different treatment centers for the resolution and recovery of alcoholism and drug addiction.
Also, I would like you to interview Bessel and Peter Levine and ask them both what would they do to change the way that people who suffer from dual-diagnosis. That is mental illness and drug addiction might be assisted in recovery and health. Most of these people do have PTSD that has gone untreated.
Thank you for your interest and devotion to trauma healing and to helping therapists get more educated.
I would also like us to address the problem of racism in our culture and how we avoid those conversations as well.
Anne, Holliston, MA. says
I agree with you Laurie!
Kandace, Texas says
Laurie this is great, totally agree! Hope this message gets a reply from the creators.
Elsa, writer, thinker, poet, Canada says
Excellent video! Thank you.
Yvonne, Australia says
When trauma has occurred at an early age and is imprinted upon the core perceptual parts of the brain, what strategies can be used to modify threat perception in the adult individual who’s early experiences have lead to a culmination of further traumatic experiences as a consequence?
Anon, piano technician, Kensington, MD says
This is a very positive explanation of what happens to the brain with PTSD. I would like to find a “trauma-informed” therapist in our area for our daughter who has PTSD. Thanks. This is such a powerful tool – I believe – that if used widely – has many implications for our society – in juvenile detention for instance, in mass incarceration – and in helping people like our daughter. Thanks.
Nic Walker, psychological coach, Trowbridge, UK says
Steve, there’s a relatively new therapy called Havening Techniques that specifically addresses trauma. Dr Ron Ruden and his brother Steven (New York based), have researched how traumatic memories become encoded in the brain and how to permanently remove them. It is simple and effective.
Carol, psychotherapist in clinical practice. Central London says
Hello Nic,
Yes, I have learnt that traumatic memories, indeed all memories are encoded in the higher centres of brain in the form of images and are accompanied by a chemical encodement, which is unique to that experience, especially if rumination over the event has been drawn out over time.
When we think about, or are in a similar situation to such a memory, nerve impulses go along the synaptic pathway and set off that encodement. It is a kind of ‘warning system’ – which is not always or no longer appropriate.
In trauma, that encodement, when it is activated, releases those associated chemicals which flood the mind and body, often setting off body symptoms – eg sweating, fear, headache, feelings of heaviness, dread, perhaps choking. These are just examples.
When we work with patients and help them to explore their somatic responses in a safe setting, and or practice EMDR or similar strategy, a kind of buffer is put in on the pathway and the nerve impulses no longer reach the encodement, therefore no longer setting off the chemical response and its related signs and feelings.
The memory images always remain behind that buffer. It is the emotional and physical symptoms (related to the old chemical response) which are no longer activated. No encoded memory is ever removed. The images of the experience remain permanently in the memory, it is the response to the image which is deactivated, and new more positive images can be laid down on the synaptic pathway as we learn and evolve.
jeanine hull, mediator says
Hi Steve. i live in Washington, DC and can tell you that there are wonderful EMDR practitioners in the area, as well as a good somatic experiencing therapist in silver spring. i am participating in coherence therapy via Skype–the best thing that has ever happened to me in my life! I would start with EMDR and see what that brings up for your daughter in terms of relief and identification of the problem, i.e., where it is stored in the body. You do have wonderful resources here that will help her. If i can help further, please call the Center for Transforming Conflict at 202 468 0155 and ask for me. (Trauma and conflict are tightly linked.)
Elaine, special education, Woodbury, NY says
One other comment…if the person who traumatized you is still in your life like a soon to be ex husband. Is there a tendency to engage in these negative behaviors in the same way he treated you? Like always lying to me so now I TRY but always unsuccessfully to lie to him…because I’m not a liar and the tone in my voice, body language and ability to communicate effectively all change with the drop of a hat. And within minutes the truth is revealed. This is such an annoying behavior and I have no idea why I feel the need to hide my personal life from him other than it’s none of his business. Can anyone give some insight?
Elaine, special education, Woodbury, NY says
How do you stop the never ending cycle of negative behaviors like lying? Having to repeat the story of your trauma over and over again to anyone who will listen? I personally believe if you don’t know what I’ve been through or why I say/do things then you don’t know me OR my struggles OR my accomplishments for having lived through such trauma. My therapist says I have severe PTSD…is that why I can’t change inappropriate and damaging behaviors?
Anon says
I have lived with CPTSD for nearly 40 years, with approximately 10 unsuccessful attempts at psychotherapy, starting 18 years ago. Only recently has therapy been successful for me, I believe, due to my starting meditation, then finding a body-oriented therapist (in my case, a Somatic Experiencing therapist). I would not wish PTSD on my worst enemy. While I can now start to see the gifts of having survived trauma (I never thought I could say that healing is possible), my heart breaks for those who do not, and those who feel hopeless. I would most like to know what concrete first steps that people can take, who suffer from PTSD. Since I know that everyone’s different, what worked for me may not work for others. I would love to see a day when trauma is well-understood, and effective help is readily available… and I do sincerely thank you for your work.
silvermoon, psychotherapist, UK says
I would really like for the last point in Bessel’s presentation to be extended. For example, how do you reconnect again with a greater sense of self, in Bessel’s words, how do we go about “unblunting” the experience of ourselves? How to “undampen” our response to excitement, connection, sexuality, etc, once the defensive response of dampening those responses gets established, sometimes for decades, as a result, e.g. developmental trauma and neglect? How do we go about facilitating this in clients who present with complex PTSD in the therapy room?
james Crowfoot says
I would like to know van der kolk’s succinct advice to both therapists and victims/survivors of trauma what each needs to do in order to heal, i.e. return more closely to normal brain functioning each of the three damaged brain processes that he just so succinctly described in this 3 minute video.
Heather Kyd says
Thanks for this explains so much . Very helpful. You always arex
Margaret Motheral, writer, whistleblower, Crestline, CA says
How do I feel pleasure and happiness again. I can’t function in normal routines. Scared of people. Won’t connect. My cat just died last week. She was with me through all the trauma. She was the only one who knew everything.
Lilian, Clinical Psychologist, Singapore says
Feedback from clients confirms what Bessel is saying:
1) Threat perceived everywhere since person is physiologically aroused, anyway, so overwhelmed by both internal and external triggers which would usually be ordinary events
2) Concentration- cannot focus, pay attention to everything, as preoccupied with what happening to self and hyper vigilance means person cannot be present
3) Blunting- as a way of dealing with painful emotions, dampening down feelings to a manageable level, leads to inability to feel anything.
Targeted interventions which help please
stella, Psychotherapist, Maharashtra,India says
How to be empowered as a partner of spouse who has suffered trauma – How to help spouse and self
GunMarie Engstrom, Sweden says
I want to know more about the third way point in the presentation.
Carole, writer, Montclair, NJ says
What is the most effective way to rewire the brain once it has experienced trauma? He describes how I have felt after 9/11.
Joyce Schmid, Somatic Experiencing/NARM Practitioner, Switzerland says
In my experience, the most effective way to deal with shock Trauma like 9/11 is with Somatic Experiencing. It’s a body-oriented process especially created to calm the effects of shock Trauma in your body and brain. Peter Levin (the founder of this trauma therapy) worked with people right after the 9/11 incident and the changes in his clients were literally visible throughout his work. I’m sure you can find a Somatic Experiencing practitioner near you. I wish you a good recovery.
Lilian, Clinical Psychologist, Singapore says
Tried and trusted techniques and tools for creating traumatised clients
Luis galdos, artist, illinois says
Hi I had a trauma accident, since then I have been trough anxiety but acupuncture seems to work but i wondererd what else i could try to overcome my trauma. I feel emotionally detached at times and i want to get back to being the way i was, especially since im an artist. Im 27 years old and i feel scared of going out alone, my brain seems to absorb more information im more sensitive and i get tense very easy.
klinger-retired-canada says
It sounds like your fear centre in your brain is constantly ‘switched on’ or ‘alerted’ or ‘aroused’ (awake & vigilant).
At this stage of traumatization, I think your best strategy is to distract yourself by listening to music or a comedy program as you are preparing to go out to do things.