The Body Keeps the Score

Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

By: Bessel van der Kolk M.D.

Narrated by: Sean Pratt

Number one New York Times best seller

“Essential reading for anyone interested in understanding and treating traumatic stress and the scope of its impact on society.” (Alexander McFarlane, director of the Centre for Traumatic Stress Studies)

A pioneering researcher transforms our understanding of trauma and offers a bold new paradigm for healing in this New York Times best seller.

Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, has spent more than three decades working with survivors. In The Body Keeps the Score, he uses recent scientific advances to show how trauma literally reshapes both body and brain, compromising sufferers’ capacities for pleasure, engagement, self-control, and trust. He explores innovative treatments - from neurofeedback and meditation to sports, drama, and yoga - that offer new paths to recovery by activating the brain’s natural neuroplasticity. Based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists, The Body Keeps the Score exposes the tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal - and offers new hope for reclaiming lives.

Cover image: © 2020 Succession H. Matisse / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York Courtesy of the Archives Henri Matisse, All rights reserved.

©2014 Bessel van der Kolk (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Written for therapists but learned a ton

This book was a recommendation to me from a health professional. Although it was dense with research for the first 11 chapters, it was a good foundation to build on for future chapters. The narrator did a good job keeping pace and tone consistent to keep interest. I wouldn’t have made it through the book without audible. Start at Chapters 12/13 for those who want specific, evidence based interventions.

Eye opening

Wow. Never has an intro to a review been more appropriate. This book opened my mind and delivered an understanding of myself and everyone around me in a manner I had not considered before. Bottom line for me: everything matters. The body doesn’t forget anything, no matter what our brain tries to do to help us cope with life. Truly worthwhile listen for me. My gratitude to the author and his years of researching that brought this work to light.

Incredible

I am close to finishing this book and I have already recommended it to everyone I know. There are no negative words which I could use to describe this book. From the writing, to the consistency, organization, level of comprehension, detailed examples/stories, knowledge and much more, this book is the most put together piece of writing that I have ever had the pleasure of reading/listening to in my life. Not only that, but the information given about Trauma has been life changing for me. This is a book I'm going to be coming back to many times.

Great addition to audible!

I've long loved this work by Bessel van der Kolk, now I am really glad to own it in audio format - the narrator is great and I really hope it makes this read accessible to more open minds!

So healing!!

This book brought me so much healing. Knowledge is power, and he brings the knowledge to those of us who are uneducated and makes it make sense.

I spent my whole life - 50+ years as an emotionally stunted 12 year old in an adult body wondering what was wrong with me with no real memories. Then I was triggered into an angry adult all of a sudden and I didn’t know why.

I now understand why and this book has helped me to heal a lot of the angry adult and the 12 year-old emotional child, as well as putting into practice some of the healing things that he talks about doing so I really feel like I can continue healing.

Thank you so much for this book!

Awakening

Touched me to my core and taught me more than any book I’ve ever read.

LIFE CHANGING!

EVERY human should listen to this book. it certainly changed my life. thank you.

Superb,

Bought the book but loved the Audible! Amazing read. very Healing. deeply understanding the mind body connection.

Unbelievably informative

Goes into the very core of trauma and every aspect of society it touches. Discusses healing methods and gives hope that lives can be changed and healed from traumatic events.

An eye opening perspective to trauma and wellbeing

Every mental health professional and student focused on wellbeing should read this book, It allows further understanding of humanities experience with trauma beyond the pathological perspective, encouraging us to see its effects as the natural reaction to a body which wishes to protect itself from damaging experiences in the past