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Healing Trauma: Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 23 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders- many as a direct result of trauma. As a young stress researcher at the University of California at Berkeley, Peter A. Levine found that all animals, including humans, are born with a natural ability to rebound from these distressing situations. Now on Healing Trauma, you can join this respected therapist and teacher to learn how to address these and other symptoms at their source-your body-and return to the natural trauma-free state that you were meant to live in. Featuring more than six hours of guided instruction to engage your body's built-in healing process.
46 pages, Audio CD
First published January 1, 1999
About the author
Peter A. Levine
54 books719 followersPeter A.Levine, Ph.D. is the originator and developer of Somatic Experiencing® and the Director of The Somatic Experiencing Trauma Institute. He holds doctorate degrees in Medical Biophysics and in Psychology. During his thirty five-year study of stress and trauma, Dr. Levine has contributed to a variety of scientific and popular publications.
Dr. Levine was a stress consultant for NASA during the development of the Space Shuttle, and has taught at treatment centers, hospitals and pain clinics throughout the world, as well as at the Hopi Guidance Center in Arizona. Peter served on the World, Psychologists for Social Responsibility, presidents’ initiative on responding to large scale disasters and ethno-political warfare. His best selling book, Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma, is published in 20 languages.
Peter A. Levine received his Ph.D. in medical biophysics from the University of California at Berkeley, and also holds a doctorate in psychology from International University. He has worked in the field of stress and trauma for over 40 years and is the developer of “Somatic Experiencing.”
He teaches trainings in this work throughout the world. He has taught at various indigenous cultures including the Hopi Guidance center in Second Mesa Arizona. Peter has been stress consultant for NASA in the development of the first Space Shuttle. He was a member of the Institute of World Affairs Task Force with “Psychologists for Social Responsibility” and served on the APA initiative for response to large scale disaster and Ethno-political warfare. He is on the ‘distinguished faculty’ of Santa Barbara Graduate Institute.
Peter is the author of the best selling book Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma, (published in twenty languages) as well as four audio learning series for Sounds True including the book CD, Healing Trauma, a Pioneering Program in Restoring the Wisdom of Our Bodies; and Sexual Healing, Transforming the Sacred Wound. He is the co-author of Trauma through a Child’s Eyes, Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing, and Trauma-Proofing Your Kids, A Parents Guide for Instilling Confidence, Joy and Resilience. Most recently, he has published In An Unspoken Voice, How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness.
Description courtesy of Trauma Healing.
http://www.somaticexperiencingnyc.com...
Dr. Levine was a stress consultant for NASA during the development of the Space Shuttle, and has taught at treatment centers, hospitals and pain clinics throughout the world, as well as at the Hopi Guidance Center in Arizona. Peter served on the World, Psychologists for Social Responsibility, presidents’ initiative on responding to large scale disasters and ethno-political warfare. His best selling book, Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma, is published in 20 languages.
Peter A. Levine received his Ph.D. in medical biophysics from the University of California at Berkeley, and also holds a doctorate in psychology from International University. He has worked in the field of stress and trauma for over 40 years and is the developer of “Somatic Experiencing.”
He teaches trainings in this work throughout the world. He has taught at various indigenous cultures including the Hopi Guidance center in Second Mesa Arizona. Peter has been stress consultant for NASA in the development of the first Space Shuttle. He was a member of the Institute of World Affairs Task Force with “Psychologists for Social Responsibility” and served on the APA initiative for response to large scale disaster and Ethno-political warfare. He is on the ‘distinguished faculty’ of Santa Barbara Graduate Institute.
Peter is the author of the best selling book Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma, (published in twenty languages) as well as four audio learning series for Sounds True including the book CD, Healing Trauma, a Pioneering Program in Restoring the Wisdom of Our Bodies; and Sexual Healing, Transforming the Sacred Wound. He is the co-author of Trauma through a Child’s Eyes, Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing, and Trauma-Proofing Your Kids, A Parents Guide for Instilling Confidence, Joy and Resilience. Most recently, he has published In An Unspoken Voice, How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness.
Description courtesy of Trauma Healing.
http://www.somaticexperiencingnyc.com...
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May 24, 2015
Healing Trauma: Restoring the Wisdom of Your Body is a brief introduction to Dr. Peter Levine's research, theory and clinical work in assisting recovery from PTSD symptoms.
Somatic Experiencing is the clinical modality based on Dr. Levine's theory and research.
Somatic Experiencing differs from conventional talk therapy. Rather than linguistically interpreting the trauma and reframing the event in a more adaptive way (cognitive restructuring and narrative integration).
Somatic Experiencing facilitates a "direct" experience of the trauma symptoms as body sensations via (a) systematic imaginal exposure coupled with (b) mindful awareness of emotionally significant body sensations, and (c) guided modulation and long term retraining of dysregulated body states.
In other words, rather than sitting around and talking about the trama, the client lays down on a massage table and re-creates the trumatic event in their imagination while being guided to "feel their feelings in their body" and "discharge" (i.e. down regulate) the feelings via "pendulating" (i.e. alternating between focusing awareness on the intense dysregulated body sensations and neutral body sensations).
To all you psychotherapist out there, if this sounds a whole lot like systematic desensitization via imaginal exposure coupled with somatically oriented mindfull awareness and grounding techniques, than I think you're dead on.
I'd say the major differences are that Somatic Experiencing clinicians use touch, posture and proximity in a way that is more closely related to physical therapy or bodywork.
Somatic Experiencing is based on the assumption that trauma symptoms are the result of a chronic dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) brought on by chronic or acute traumatic exposure.
According to Dr. Levine's research, mammals automatically regulate ANS survival responses by spontaneously "discharging" excess energy via involuntary movements such as shaking and deep spontaneous breaths after exposure to a survival challenge. Humans inhibit this discharge process due to enculturation and rational thinking processes.
In other words; we humans inhibit our natural emotional regulation because we're all up in our heads and generally freaked out by our own vulnerability and mortality and because we're scared to show our vulnerability (e.g. trembling and crying) after a threatening event because we're afraid other people will think we can't keep our shit together. So we bottle up all of our trauma feelings and over time we get all fucked up by it.
Somatic Experiencing attempts to restore our inherent mammalian capacity to self-regulate by retraining the individual to more skillfully release the energy stored in the body, during and after a traumatic event.
In other words, Somatic Experiencing trains you to (a) get out of your head and into your body, and (b) barf out all the toxic, pent-up trauma energy, and eventually (c) retrain your nervous system so that you don't bottle that shit up anymore.
Warning: it's important to note that Somatic Experiencing lacks sufficient randomized control trials to validate its efficacy compared to other "gold standard" trauma treatments such as Prolonged Exposure.
Additionally, there are few to no exclusively distinct features of the Somatic Experiencing model that are not otherwise represented in other empirically validated therapies for trauma.
If your curious, I recommend this program as a primer on the theory and model. But before you drink the cool aid. Remember that there are other, more thoroughly researched, evidence based trauma treatments that should be considered as a primary course of treatment for PTSD.
If you buy this program, be forwarded, it leaves the stratosphere (in the bad way) in some of the final chapters. What began as clinically sound(ish), theoretically plausible(ish) assertions morph into new age(ish) theoretical hokum faster than you can say "angle-dust".
I love the somatically oriented approach. But the field needs an update hella bad. For a much more sound overview of the current state of the art in trauma treatment, read Dr. Basil Van Der Kolk's The Body Keeps Score. It's fruity enough to slake your thirst for rainbow skittle flavored cool aid, while remaining substantial enough to satiate your hunger for meat and potatoes.
In the end Somatic Experiencing is redeemable because it's (a) big hearted and (b) an effective trauma treatment for a lot of people (myself included). But the science really needs to step into this century.
Somatic Experiencing is the clinical modality based on Dr. Levine's theory and research.
Somatic Experiencing differs from conventional talk therapy. Rather than linguistically interpreting the trauma and reframing the event in a more adaptive way (cognitive restructuring and narrative integration).
Somatic Experiencing facilitates a "direct" experience of the trauma symptoms as body sensations via (a) systematic imaginal exposure coupled with (b) mindful awareness of emotionally significant body sensations, and (c) guided modulation and long term retraining of dysregulated body states.
In other words, rather than sitting around and talking about the trama, the client lays down on a massage table and re-creates the trumatic event in their imagination while being guided to "feel their feelings in their body" and "discharge" (i.e. down regulate) the feelings via "pendulating" (i.e. alternating between focusing awareness on the intense dysregulated body sensations and neutral body sensations).
To all you psychotherapist out there, if this sounds a whole lot like systematic desensitization via imaginal exposure coupled with somatically oriented mindfull awareness and grounding techniques, than I think you're dead on.
I'd say the major differences are that Somatic Experiencing clinicians use touch, posture and proximity in a way that is more closely related to physical therapy or bodywork.
Somatic Experiencing is based on the assumption that trauma symptoms are the result of a chronic dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) brought on by chronic or acute traumatic exposure.
According to Dr. Levine's research, mammals automatically regulate ANS survival responses by spontaneously "discharging" excess energy via involuntary movements such as shaking and deep spontaneous breaths after exposure to a survival challenge. Humans inhibit this discharge process due to enculturation and rational thinking processes.
In other words; we humans inhibit our natural emotional regulation because we're all up in our heads and generally freaked out by our own vulnerability and mortality and because we're scared to show our vulnerability (e.g. trembling and crying) after a threatening event because we're afraid other people will think we can't keep our shit together. So we bottle up all of our trauma feelings and over time we get all fucked up by it.
Somatic Experiencing attempts to restore our inherent mammalian capacity to self-regulate by retraining the individual to more skillfully release the energy stored in the body, during and after a traumatic event.
In other words, Somatic Experiencing trains you to (a) get out of your head and into your body, and (b) barf out all the toxic, pent-up trauma energy, and eventually (c) retrain your nervous system so that you don't bottle that shit up anymore.
Warning: it's important to note that Somatic Experiencing lacks sufficient randomized control trials to validate its efficacy compared to other "gold standard" trauma treatments such as Prolonged Exposure.
Additionally, there are few to no exclusively distinct features of the Somatic Experiencing model that are not otherwise represented in other empirically validated therapies for trauma.
If your curious, I recommend this program as a primer on the theory and model. But before you drink the cool aid. Remember that there are other, more thoroughly researched, evidence based trauma treatments that should be considered as a primary course of treatment for PTSD.
If you buy this program, be forwarded, it leaves the stratosphere (in the bad way) in some of the final chapters. What began as clinically sound(ish), theoretically plausible(ish) assertions morph into new age(ish) theoretical hokum faster than you can say "angle-dust".
I love the somatically oriented approach. But the field needs an update hella bad. For a much more sound overview of the current state of the art in trauma treatment, read Dr. Basil Van Der Kolk's The Body Keeps Score. It's fruity enough to slake your thirst for rainbow skittle flavored cool aid, while remaining substantial enough to satiate your hunger for meat and potatoes.
In the end Somatic Experiencing is redeemable because it's (a) big hearted and (b) an effective trauma treatment for a lot of people (myself included). But the science really needs to step into this century.
April 5, 2022
You have to be cautious when approaching a significantly alternative philosophy: some can be pretty far out, and even detrimental. An open mind is a good thing, as long as you take care about what you’re letting in! I had all my radar on for this book, which begins with a quote from the Gnostic Gospels and the four noble truths of Buddha:
Suffering is part of being human
Find out why you suffer
Suffering can be transformed and healed
After finding the cause of suffering, you must find the right path (assuming that the suffering is caused from the wrong path?)
Nonetheless, Levine’s principles are sound, if surprising at times, and I have a lot of good takeaway from this book. The first half builds a foundation for understanding the affects of trauma, which author defines as: “debilitating symptoms many people suffer from after perceived life-threatening or overwhelming experiences.” He notes that all trauma is stressful, but not all stress is traumatic – you have to perceive a significant threat to your well-being. Thus, trauma is subjective – especially for children, who can be traumatized by seemingly common everyday events or a series of minor mishaps.
He bases his treatment on the theory that trauma causes a loss of connection to ourselves, as we attempt to detach from overwhelming feelings and to others, as we feel alienated due to our unique experiences or avoid certain people or circumstances that might trigger traumatic memories.
Levine heavily relies on the animal kingdom as both the illustration and the justification of his theories, because while animals are often threatened, they are seldom traumatized. When animals and humans feel threatened, our bodies generate a lot of energy and adrenaline to help us deal with the threat. I was familiar with this as the “fight or flight” response, though Levine adds a third option: “freeze” which is the ability to go numb or even play dead when neither fight or flight seem feasible.
The main difference between us and animals is that they are able to discharge that energy once they get the "all clear" signal from their brain - they quite literally “shake it off.” As humans, we either don’t know how to go back to normalcy once we reach safety, or we brace ourselves against the intensity of our own response, stifling the release we need.
This lack of discharge can leave us with ongoing mental and physical effects, including dissociation, hypervigilance, flashbacks, anxiety, phobias, diminished emotional responses, inability to commit, chronic fatigue, and more. If the trauma is never addressed, victims can experience a compulsion to repeat the initial trauma through putting themselves accidentally or consciously in the same scenario again and again. Alternately, trauma survivors will begin to avoid any situations that might remind them of the past, becoming more and more isolated.
Levine’s case was compelling, and I was very interested to proceed to the second part of the book, which details a series of exercises to help you reestablish your bodies natural responses to trauma. It was this second section that really stretched my mind – in fact, I just about put the book away when I read about talking to my hand (literally). However, I can’t deny that I would like to experience more connectedness and freedom in my life, so I pressed on. I found that once you take the exercises as a whole, they start to make a sensible pattern. The book comes with a CD to walk through the exercises.
Suffering is part of being human
Find out why you suffer
Suffering can be transformed and healed
After finding the cause of suffering, you must find the right path (assuming that the suffering is caused from the wrong path?)
Nonetheless, Levine’s principles are sound, if surprising at times, and I have a lot of good takeaway from this book. The first half builds a foundation for understanding the affects of trauma, which author defines as: “debilitating symptoms many people suffer from after perceived life-threatening or overwhelming experiences.” He notes that all trauma is stressful, but not all stress is traumatic – you have to perceive a significant threat to your well-being. Thus, trauma is subjective – especially for children, who can be traumatized by seemingly common everyday events or a series of minor mishaps.
He bases his treatment on the theory that trauma causes a loss of connection to ourselves, as we attempt to detach from overwhelming feelings and to others, as we feel alienated due to our unique experiences or avoid certain people or circumstances that might trigger traumatic memories.
Levine heavily relies on the animal kingdom as both the illustration and the justification of his theories, because while animals are often threatened, they are seldom traumatized. When animals and humans feel threatened, our bodies generate a lot of energy and adrenaline to help us deal with the threat. I was familiar with this as the “fight or flight” response, though Levine adds a third option: “freeze” which is the ability to go numb or even play dead when neither fight or flight seem feasible.
The main difference between us and animals is that they are able to discharge that energy once they get the "all clear" signal from their brain - they quite literally “shake it off.” As humans, we either don’t know how to go back to normalcy once we reach safety, or we brace ourselves against the intensity of our own response, stifling the release we need.
This lack of discharge can leave us with ongoing mental and physical effects, including dissociation, hypervigilance, flashbacks, anxiety, phobias, diminished emotional responses, inability to commit, chronic fatigue, and more. If the trauma is never addressed, victims can experience a compulsion to repeat the initial trauma through putting themselves accidentally or consciously in the same scenario again and again. Alternately, trauma survivors will begin to avoid any situations that might remind them of the past, becoming more and more isolated.
Levine’s case was compelling, and I was very interested to proceed to the second part of the book, which details a series of exercises to help you reestablish your bodies natural responses to trauma. It was this second section that really stretched my mind – in fact, I just about put the book away when I read about talking to my hand (literally). However, I can’t deny that I would like to experience more connectedness and freedom in my life, so I pressed on. I found that once you take the exercises as a whole, they start to make a sensible pattern. The book comes with a CD to walk through the exercises.
February 7, 2017
I would not recommend this short book as an introduction to Dr Levine's work. If you read and enjoyed his work "Waking the Tiger" this book is a how-to with that process. The first time I listened to the audio I felt very hypnotized. I very easily sensed my feelings in my body because I was already on board with the idea, I meditate with regularity and practice body conscious exercises like running, hiking and yoga. It may take a little longer for you if the idea is new to you.
I fully expected to have a less intense experience the second time I used the CD. Was surprised to have a more intense reaction. I felt my face grimacing, my stomach lurching, the room spinning. I felt seasick. Unlike talk therapy it's not a head trip. I don't get addicted to hearing myself blah blah blah about my life. I sense these issues trapped in my tissues are finally dissipating. Although it may take a couple more rounds of work.
I fully expected to have a less intense experience the second time I used the CD. Was surprised to have a more intense reaction. I felt my face grimacing, my stomach lurching, the room spinning. I felt seasick. Unlike talk therapy it's not a head trip. I don't get addicted to hearing myself blah blah blah about my life. I sense these issues trapped in my tissues are finally dissipating. Although it may take a couple more rounds of work.
May 28, 2016
This book help me heal from childhood and recent abuse and trauma.
May 1, 2012
This book is much more readable than Peter Levine's other, for the lay person anyway. I like the way it talks about healing trauma in terms that a person can hear it without feeling it's the end of the world to get past trauma. Not to mention all the little things that can actually traumatize that we don't even realize can have an impact, especially for little children.
June 23, 2021
I find the idea of somatic therapy really convincing. We're bodies. We can't just talk our way out of trauma, because trauma is a bodily experience.
But I'm also put off by Levine's confidence that this type of treatment always works. Why is it that so many books presenting alternative remedies have to claim a 100% success rate? Why can't we just be excited that something seems to be working for a lot of people?
This book is probably a valuable tool folks with trauma, because it walks you through specific exercises that could be really helpful. Take the exercises and ignore Levine's boosterism.
But I'm also put off by Levine's confidence that this type of treatment always works. Why is it that so many books presenting alternative remedies have to claim a 100% success rate? Why can't we just be excited that something seems to be working for a lot of people?
This book is probably a valuable tool folks with trauma, because it walks you through specific exercises that could be really helpful. Take the exercises and ignore Levine's boosterism.
March 17, 2019
Practical somatic interventions to be used at home to restore connection with the body. Good starting point for psychoeducation of trauma survivors. Easily accessible to people without a psychological studies background. Would recommend to anyone who experiences out-of-body numbing.
September 19, 2021
Гарне відчуття, коли інтуїтивно усі ці роки застосовував частину із запропонованих і перевірених багатьма людьми із травматизацією методів. Гарне відчуття співучасті у зціленні, досвіду невидимої спільноти, яка бореться за право жити сповна.
Це дуже лаконічна книга про те, як можна допомогти собі, а згодом іншим. Книга про надію і світло у темряві.
Це дуже лаконічна книга про те, як можна допомогти собі, а згодом іншим. Книга про надію і світло у темряві.
December 30, 2022
The end section on preventing trauma should go at the beginning, because it actually gave more context to the exercises. The Kindle version lacks the audio tracks that seem important. The sexual trauma healing chapter was full of disproven Freudian theories and was, quite frankly, gross.
December 16, 2022
Good reference for trauma patients. It's very slow and careful in its approach which is nice. It mostly tries to help the reader feel the residue sensations in their bodies to let go of them. Reminded me of the sensitivity of Sanft aus der Angst: Elf praxiserprobte Schritte in ein Leben ohne Angst. Recommend!
November 1, 2020
Honestly the first review that pops up nailed all my thoughts exactly. This book is heavy on theory and very light on research (to be fair, this book was published in 2005 and somatic experiencing has grown a lot). Much of what he espouses are components of other therapies that have robust research bases, such as Prolonged Exposure. That being said, this could be very helpful to someone who wants to feel more connected to their body and or cannot (or does not want to) go to therapy for some reason. I also very much appreciate the value he places on cultural sensitivity.
April 27, 2017
I read this book after seeing it referenced in a book by Bessel Van Der Kolk. The author clearly has expertise in the field of trauma but a lot of his ideas were a little too Freudian for my personal framework for clinical practice. Overall I wasn't a fan of the book.
May 10, 2022
Fascinating workshop-like presentation of the importance if allowing the reactions and built up energy in the body as a result of trauma to complete the cycle and discharge from the body to enable healing.
I heard this concept discussed once before (of course finding a trauma therapist with this type of training in your area isn't simple) and was incredibly intrigued.
Levine's work was recommended on Curt Thompson's podcast and I was so interested to learn more. The content is presented as a teaching (not really a book being read) and is full of exercises to complete with another person.
The section on trauma in kids and providing "trauma first aid" even for things like falls etc that our world easily dismisses, rushes to brush off and move on was so helpful. We all need to understand this more.
I heard this concept discussed once before (of course finding a trauma therapist with this type of training in your area isn't simple) and was incredibly intrigued.
Levine's work was recommended on Curt Thompson's podcast and I was so interested to learn more. The content is presented as a teaching (not really a book being read) and is full of exercises to complete with another person.
The section on trauma in kids and providing "trauma first aid" even for things like falls etc that our world easily dismisses, rushes to brush off and move on was so helpful. We all need to understand this more.
August 17, 2021
great book! love the length of it. the contents of the book made a lot of sense to me and confirmed some of what I learned on my own about trauma. glad this is the first book I decided to read on the topic. definitely will be looking more into Levine's work.
November 4, 2021
I appreciated the biological framing of trauma and that releasing that unexpressed reset energy is the path to healing.
As I move through my own healing, my brain/thoughts were stuck, regularly telling me that something was wrong with me psychologically. There is nothing wrong with me, I just have unexpressed energy in my body and it has effectively made me very reactive to even slightly traumatic events. That is a huge reframing that I needed so desperately, and it gives me a better path to focus on in my healing.
This book is not a self help book, it’s a primer to understand what trauma is and where it gets stuck, helping the reader ultimately seek out a therapist specializing in trauma.
This healing shit is hard y’all, intellectualizing it has been my enemy. Reconnect to your instincts!
As I move through my own healing, my brain/thoughts were stuck, regularly telling me that something was wrong with me psychologically. There is nothing wrong with me, I just have unexpressed energy in my body and it has effectively made me very reactive to even slightly traumatic events. That is a huge reframing that I needed so desperately, and it gives me a better path to focus on in my healing.
This book is not a self help book, it’s a primer to understand what trauma is and where it gets stuck, helping the reader ultimately seek out a therapist specializing in trauma.
This healing shit is hard y’all, intellectualizing it has been my enemy. Reconnect to your instincts!
March 20, 2021
Five stars for the simple, concise explanation of trauma and how it impacts a person's physical body, not just someone's mental health. Five stars as well for the introduction that the book provides to Somatic Experiencing and trauma-related therapy. What I would really like the book to state more clearly is that while all the exercises in the second half of the book are/will eventually be super helpful for trauma survivors, those who have severe cases of PTSD should not attempt these exercises on their own or for long periods of time, since they will run a high risk of re-traumatizing themselves that way. It's not stated clearly enough in this book in my opinion, although other materials by Peter Levine, the creator of Somatic Experiencing therapy, and other Somatic Experiencing materials and practitioners are more clear. I'm very glad that I have a very good Somatic Experiencing therapist who made that clear to me.
August 19, 2015
This reads like a cliffs' notes version of Peter Levine's other works. I found the book interesting and helpful until the end of the practical exercises. The sections after felt like filler.
Levine's work is really interesting, especially since it deals more with body work vs intellect. Much of the time, trauma isn't bound in logic so thinking your way through it in order to process it doesn't work. Processing trauma through body exercises is another strategy and it seems to be effective.
This book can be bought with or without the CD for the exercises.
Levine's work is really interesting, especially since it deals more with body work vs intellect. Much of the time, trauma isn't bound in logic so thinking your way through it in order to process it doesn't work. Processing trauma through body exercises is another strategy and it seems to be effective.
This book can be bought with or without the CD for the exercises.
July 17, 2008
"If you bring forth that which is within you, then that which is within you will be your salvation...
If you do not bring forth that which is within you, then what is within you will destroy you" - The Gnostic Gospels
done reading...have not come to exercising it yet. i think this book is helpful in terms of information about trauma - its level of helpfulness though will depend upon the result/s i get when i finally come round to doing the exercises.
If you do not bring forth that which is within you, then what is within you will destroy you" - The Gnostic Gospels
done reading...have not come to exercising it yet. i think this book is helpful in terms of information about trauma - its level of helpfulness though will depend upon the result/s i get when i finally come round to doing the exercises.
January 13, 2016
This is a very informative book that I found useful (and working as a psychologist I'm always looking for books that might help me with helping others). It has many examples and exercises you can use on your own, and I also like how he compares our reactions to those of other animals. There are also some great case studies in the book, that demonstrates eloquently what he means when he explains the theory behind the treatment. An essential book for all trauma therapists!
August 11, 2014
An excellent, practical book that also comes with a CD with exercises to help the listener develop a deeper awareness of the body's "felt sense". Written with clarity, compassion, and well-grounded faith in the human being's innate capacity to triumph over trauma.
July 3, 2015
I've just started doing the course of exercises, and it's been influencing me greatly so far. I don't know what the final result will be, but, generally, the the author says many true things which I can personally relate to. I am very hopeful about the result)
November 16, 2015
This book and CD are amazing. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I read. It made me appreciate that my difficulties stem not from being a lazy or bad person but from having a body trying to protect me, and a body with stuck energy. The exercises work. Truly life changing.
December 11, 2017
I thought this was going to be similar to "trauma release exercises". There were some good exercises here but they seemed more like mindfulness (which is good) than training my body to let go of stress
Want to read
March 6, 2016A "somatic experiencing" book. I've had a couple of sessions of this bodywork modality, and might want to read a book about it at some point.
December 16, 2020
i-didn-t-know-books-could-do-this , this the guided visualisations. Quite glad I listened to the audio version and quite glad this was the first book in this vast topic that I read.
April 28, 2020
Events that so profoundly shatter our sense of safety grip our bodies. Trauma symptoms appear on a tier of time, first come acute hyperarousal symptoms like a pounding heart or rapid breath lock our bodies, while relational troubles and addictive behaviors and chronic pain bear down further from the trauma if it is not resolved. Trauma expert and clinician Peter Levine advocates that while we protective protection from trauma cannot be sought, it is not something that has to haunt us viscerally in perpetuity as what he calls a “life sentence”. Animals who emerge from a life-threatening encounter and literally physically shake off the generated stress and fear. While humans have a neocortex for higher level and rational thought absent in animals, we do share in common “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous systems that fire up potent survival energy as a defense mechanism. After danger has passed, like animals, we human need to discharge all the energy related to the traumatic experience. Levine has spent his career helping people discharge this energy and loosen trauma’s hold on the psyche and the body. Whether generated from a physical life-threatening danger, emotional abuse or neglect, sexual assault, or spiritual, Levine’s bodywork exercises can lessen trauma’s sting by releasing stress energy and promoting people’s agency and control of their own body and boundaries. His Twelve-Phase Healing Trauma Program is presented both in clean font and a guide audio CD. Where appropriate, photos illustrating the sequence of movements in each exercise is presented. The exercises flow logically to keep readers safe and in control as much as possible. Grounding exercises come first, followed by slowly deliberately encountering your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations. Readers draw strength by learning to sit with and experiencing the distressing symptoms and trusting them to run their course. Once grounding and tolerance have strengthened, readers can practice the discharging the distressing energy by visualization and spine straightening. The final exercises move readers toward more mindfulness presence and engaging in social connection with others. Neglecting to scroll past book chapters can sometimes be a great loss of useful information. An incredible gem for couples and families is at the end of the book and is not even designated as a book chapter. Several pages walk readers through to hold space and support a loved one who is in the middle and after a traumatic event. Nuances between partners or friends and children are presented. This guide is not meant to be in place of therapy with a licensed professional, but it is a loving labor to mitigate harm for a loved one who has been disconnected from their birthright of connection and safety.***
*** for more books recommended for relationships, please visit my website, www.thecouplessyllabus.com ***
*** for more books recommended for relationships, please visit my website, www.thecouplessyllabus.com ***
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June 13, 2020This is an extremely promising book. I was a little worried by some of the rhetoric, which seemed ... odd at first. After some research online and checking Levine's credentials it seems he isn't a quack, but this book is very, very aimed at the lay person. Personally I would have preferred him to use a few scientific terms rather than claiming things like 'trauma is caused by stuck energy in the body' which almost made me put the book down. It seems more like it's something closely linked to the nervous system. From my other reading I suspect it's talking about training the trauma response out of its aggressively unhelpful overreaction for those still suffering the effects of trauma, which isn't exactly an unusual idea.
Anyway, Levine talks briefly about different types of trauma and how common it is, and how even "minor" things can be traumatising. This is great because a lot of people don't realise that.
The second half talks through 12 steps to heal trauma. I have not done all of these exercises yet and in any case I'm not about to start talking about that on here, however they seem solid. The grounding techniques he talks about initially are very helpful variations on classic techniques.
The only issue I have with this book (beyond its kind of insulting simplicity in the explanation department) is the audio tracks it suggests you download from a website. I thought it was going to be audio to guide you through the exercises, but it's literally just someone reading out the text of the exercises. But not in a way where you can follow them in real time. Great if you like to listen to audiobooks I guess? Also helpful if you have to return the book to the library before you can go through all of the steps. Which I have to.
Anyway, it's possibly worth a read if you're looking to heal, or even looking for reassurance that you've been traumatised somehow. Not all trauma is wars and violence and I think it would be helpful for more people to realise that.
Anyway, Levine talks briefly about different types of trauma and how common it is, and how even "minor" things can be traumatising. This is great because a lot of people don't realise that.
The second half talks through 12 steps to heal trauma. I have not done all of these exercises yet and in any case I'm not about to start talking about that on here, however they seem solid. The grounding techniques he talks about initially are very helpful variations on classic techniques.
The only issue I have with this book (beyond its kind of insulting simplicity in the explanation department) is the audio tracks it suggests you download from a website. I thought it was going to be audio to guide you through the exercises, but it's literally just someone reading out the text of the exercises. But not in a way where you can follow them in real time. Great if you like to listen to audiobooks I guess? Also helpful if you have to return the book to the library before you can go through all of the steps. Which I have to.
Anyway, it's possibly worth a read if you're looking to heal, or even looking for reassurance that you've been traumatised somehow. Not all trauma is wars and violence and I think it would be helpful for more people to realise that.
September 1, 2018
Favorite quotes:
“I have come to the conclusion that human beings are born with an innate capacity to triumph over trauma. I believe not only that trauma is curable, but that the healing process can be a catalyst for profound awakening—a portal opening to emotional and genuine spiritual transformation."
"As we move from fixity to flow, we begin to experience a sense of coherency. We begin to feel reconnected to life. We feel more peaceful, at home with others, the world, and ourselves. We are no longer trapped by events in our past, some of which we may not even remember."
"In virtually every spiritual tradition, suffering is seen as a doorway to awakening." ... "The transformative power of suffering finds perhaps its clearest expression in the Four Noble Truths espoused by the Buddha. Though suffering and trauma are not identical, the Buddha’s insight into the nature of suffering can provide a powerful mirror for examining the effects of trauma in your life.”
"For someone who's been traumatized, that feeling of balance and wholeness is such a surprise, it can cause an 'identity crisis.' We don't recognize ourselves because we're no longer filled with shame and fear and collapse."
"Healing from trauma can be that final instinctive push, that inner shaking and trembling, 'the kick,' that can awaken us and lead us on a journey home."
“I have come to the conclusion that human beings are born with an innate capacity to triumph over trauma. I believe not only that trauma is curable, but that the healing process can be a catalyst for profound awakening—a portal opening to emotional and genuine spiritual transformation."
"As we move from fixity to flow, we begin to experience a sense of coherency. We begin to feel reconnected to life. We feel more peaceful, at home with others, the world, and ourselves. We are no longer trapped by events in our past, some of which we may not even remember."
"In virtually every spiritual tradition, suffering is seen as a doorway to awakening." ... "The transformative power of suffering finds perhaps its clearest expression in the Four Noble Truths espoused by the Buddha. Though suffering and trauma are not identical, the Buddha’s insight into the nature of suffering can provide a powerful mirror for examining the effects of trauma in your life.”
"For someone who's been traumatized, that feeling of balance and wholeness is such a surprise, it can cause an 'identity crisis.' We don't recognize ourselves because we're no longer filled with shame and fear and collapse."
"Healing from trauma can be that final instinctive push, that inner shaking and trembling, 'the kick,' that can awaken us and lead us on a journey home."
April 7, 2019
I have spent a lifetime as a martial artist and a career as a Judge in Native American communities. I have researched and heard testimony in trauma throughout my career and always look for additional resources. Levine borrows from the worlds I have lived in, the animal kingdom, Buddhism, and other cultures as he formulates his questionable theories and creates a series of exercises and therapeutic responses to trauma. He does so here without so much as a single reference to scientific methods that might justify his reliance. He overemphasizes the significance of our animal brains; over-empowers the childlike misperceptions of buddhism, and focuses on addressing paralyzing effects of trauma. If you are paralyzed by trauma, maybe this will help, maybe it won’t. Certainly, there is no reference material describing why Mr. Levine should recommend it. If you have lived in traumatic circumstances and function well, this book will annoy you.
October 8, 2020
This book was very easy to read and explains how to work with traumatized people plainly. Dr. Levine is a seminal research on the topic so I was expecting the book to bogged down with theory and therapeutic techniques but it was the complete opposite. It presented how trauma occurs and how the body responds to it over time. The guided step processes really should be coupled with the CD for full effect. The one draw back is that I wished there was a chapter on how to work with traumatized adults. The chapter on how to work with traumatized children was helpful but should at a minimum had some information about the next developmental stage. Other than that I really enjoyed the simplicity and practical information used. I also appreciated that Dr. Levine acknowledge spiritual practices that could be used in the healing process. It was smart and provides a broader range of support for the healing process.
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