The Body Keeps the Score

I recently read Bessel Van Der Kolk's extraordinary book 'The Body Keeps the Score'. Bessel is a dutch psychiatrist living in the USA who has researched and worked in the area of trauma for most of his professional career. This book is the culmination of more then 40 years working and researching the phenomenon of trauma. Bessel is currently the medical director of the Trauma Centre in Brookline, Massachusetts. 

Bessel's book is a great reflection on many issues which effect a person who has experienced significant trauma including in-depth information about the link between the brain and the body, hence the title of the book. He also highlights what are considered to be some of the most highly effective, evidence based treatments for individuals with trauma symptoms. This includes treatment modalities such as Brain Based Therapy, Mindfulness and EMDR. 

I highly recommend this book for anyone who has experienced trauma or for family/friends who have loved one's with a trauma based background. It is a book dense with great information but it does take time to absorb everything Bessel has to say so I would recommend taking you time. I found it helpful to put the book down for a while and then come back to it a few days later. 

The website for Bessel's Trauma Centre at JRI is: www.traumacenter.org