The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

A powerful, widely respected book on trauma, healing, and the deep connection between body and mind.

In The Body Keeps the Score, psychiatrist and trauma expert Dr. Bessel van der Kolk explores how trauma can shape the brain, body, nervous system, relationships, and sense of self. Drawing from decades of clinical work and research, he helps explain why traumatic experiences can live beyond memory — and why healing often involves more than simply “moving on.”

The book examines how trauma affects pleasure, trust, emotional regulation, connection, and daily life, while also exploring paths toward recovery through the body’s capacity for change and repair.

A meaningful resource for readers seeking to better understand trauma, support a loved one, or approach healing with more compassion and knowledge.

Details
Author: Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
Topic: Trauma, psychology, healing, body-mind connection
A widely read resource on trauma and recovery
Explores the effects of trauma on the brain, body, nervous system, and relationships

Please Note
This book discusses trauma, abuse, violence, and recovery, and may be tender or difficult for some readers. It is intended as an educational resource and is not a substitute for professional mental health care.