The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Discover how trauma reshapes the mind and body — and how healing can happen.

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk is widely considered a modern classic in the field of mental health and trauma recovery. Drawing on over three decades of experience as a psychiatrist, van der Kolk delivers a powerful and compassionate guide to understanding how trauma changes the brain, body, and behaviour — often in ways we don’t realise.

Rather than focusing only on what’s wrong with people, this book shifts the conversation to what happened to them. Using science, case studies, and real-life examples, van der Kolk explains how traumatic experiences become embedded in the nervous system. He shows how they can shape everything from our relationships and emotions to how safe we feel in our own skin.

But this isn’t just a book about problems — it’s about healing. Van der Kolk explores a wide range of treatment options beyond traditional talk therapy, including yoga, neurofeedback, EMDR, theatre, and body-focused techniques. These methods help trauma survivors reconnect with their bodies, regulate their emotions, and finally begin to feel safe again. Every chapter is filled with compassion and hope, empowering readers to reclaim control of their lives.

Whether you’ve experienced trauma yourself or want to better understand someone who has, The Body Keeps the Score offers deep insight and actionable steps. It invites us to rethink how we treat mental health — not just in clinics, but in schools, communities, and families.

💡 Key Takeaways

This book teaches that trauma is not just a psychological issue but a physical one too. The body stores trauma in muscles, breathing patterns, and even posture.

Van der Kolk explains how this affects the brain’s ability to regulate emotions and form healthy relationships.

He introduces proven treatments that focus on reconnecting the body and mind. These include techniques that restore a sense of safety, calm the nervous system, and help people feel whole again.

The core message is clear: healing is not only possible, but deeply human.

🎯 Who This Book Is For

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the past or trapped by emotional pain you can’t explain, this book will make you feel seen. It’s ideal for anyone recovering from trauma — including PTSD, childhood abuse, neglect, or long-term stress.

It’s also an essential read for therapists, social workers, teachers, and healthcare professionals who support others through their healing journeys.

Even if you’ve never experienced trauma firsthand, this book will transform the way you see it in others. It’s insightful, empathetic, and backed by decades of clinical experience.