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The Body Keeps the Score

Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma

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The Body Keeps the Score

By: Bessel van der Kolk
Narrated by: Sean Pratt
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

THE NEW YORK TIMES AND AUDIBLE BESTSELLER

The effects of trauma can be devastating for sufferers, their families and future generations. Here one of the world's experts on traumatic stress offers a bold new paradigm for treatment, moving away from standard talking and drug therapies and towards an alternative approach that heals mind, brain and body.

This inspiring and timeless audiobook is read by Sean Pratt.

©2019 Bessel van der Kolk (P)2019 Penguin Audio Mental Health Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Spirituality Health Meditation Human Brain Substance abuse

Critic Reviews

Fascinating, hard to put down, and filled with powerful case histories. . . . the most important series of breakthroughs in mental health in the last thirty years (Norman Doidge, author of The Brain That Changes Itself)
Dr. van der Kolk's masterpiece combines the boundless curiosity of the scientist, the erudition of the scholar, and the passion of the truth teller (Judith Herman, M.D., author of Trauma and Recovery)
A masterpiece of powerful understanding and brave heartedness, one of the most intelligent and helpful works on trauma I have ever read. . . a brilliant synthesis of clinical cases, neuroscience, powerful tools and caring humanity, offering a whole new level of healing (Jack Kornfied, author of A Path With Heart)
All stars
Most relevant  
this is possibly the most important book i have listened to on audible, fantasticly delivered crucial information for anyone diagnosed with ptsd or interacting with those who have suffered trauma

possibly life changing

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An amazing book, and the first you should read if you want to explore trauma.
It’s accessible, thorough & provides much professional food for thought & personal self-reflection

Brilliant & Important

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I now understand why I do what I do.Often I had a good cry whilst reading the book.Grear book!

Amazing

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Highly recommend The Body Keeps the Score. I had already read the book but the audio version was just as good, if not better. I listen on my daily walks and loved revisiting what I think is the ‘Bible’ of integrated trauma therapy. The narrators voice I found calm, soothing and educational (what I would imagine if read by Bressel van der Kolk himself) This should be read by every educators, therapist, health care professionals and support workers. Such a wealth of highly research practical information.

Everyone should read this book!

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This book has truly been eye opening! Not only for my own trauma but for understanding why others may act the way they do. It will certainly change my approach in life.
I did find it at times quite overwhelming for myself when connecting it to my experiences. I’ve also taken so much from this book, on what I need to focus on and it has also highlighted where things have stemmed from.
I was actually a little sad when it was over, I guess we all hope for the answer we need, but that’s up to us to find and I now have some avenues and points on which to focus on.

An eye opening and rewarding book

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I will listen to this book again & again.
Packed with excellent information & discussions on PTSD.

A most welcome book on PTSD

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This is one of the most interesting books I have ever listened to. I have had the (paper) book for years but all that tiny writing(!) meant that I never got more than a few pages at a time. This narrator’s is very engaging and I couldn’t stop listening.

SO interesting!

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Great audio book for those who are wanting to be more trauma-informed and provide holistic measures that create a safe space for people who have suffered trauma. Bessel provides helpful, real-life examples to explain how trauma impacts the brain and behaviours. I relate to his ideas of carefully balancing medical intervention with effective, evidence-based trauma support methods to humanise individual experiences; not relying on pills or one-size-fits-all approaches. I’m all the better for listening to this book and plan to read again. I join with him in his frustration re the DSM 5 and the lack of implementation around trauma-related disorders. When are we going to prioritise people instead of money! Thank you, Bessel.

Very informative

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I loved that there were many different approaches to healing trauma and just generally improving the lives of people in this book. This book was well worth reading as it helped me to better understand myself as well as every single person in my life. As a person who comes from a small country that is grappling with a generation of traumatised children who’ve now become adults without any treatment, I felt this book opened my eyes to alternative therapies that could alleviate suffering and give us a better outlook on the future of our nation. I know many people who are currently working on providing support in these areas and will recommend this book to each of them.

I highly recommend this book to everyone

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Although the material that is covered is similar to other books that deal with trauma, the depth of personal insight and exploration, and the willingness in humility to acknowledge the many flaws in the system add significant weight to all that the author presents. There are numerous places where the presented material and stories shared are harrowing and awful, but that should be expected given the topics covered.

Compelling

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