A review by brittanykroeckel
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk

5.0

I cannot believe I put reading this off for as long as I have. This was one of my required reads for my Trauma Counseling course this summer and we only had time to read a few chapters but I took this opportunity to read it cover to cover. This book, along with my course, was my first in-depth exposure to understanding trauma on a personal and professional level.

This is a staple in the learning of trauma not only within it psychosocial manifestations, but physical ailments as well. It concretely explains how trauma is a complete experience within the mind, body, and soul. There is much more than meets the eye.

I am appreciative of van der Kolk’s use of anecdotes with clients from various backgrounds and traumatic experiences to give us a well-rounded view of trauma. I am also uplifted in the fact that he not only describe trauma, how it externally and internally exerts itself, but also showing interventions and approaches in treating clients with trauma histories. Loved this book and will recommend to anyone and everyone.