Trauma therapy should incorporate bodybased techniques from "summary" of The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
Trauma therapy should incorporate body-based techniques because trauma is not just a mental and emotional experience; it is stored in the body as well. Traditional talk therapy may not be enough to fully address the impact of trauma on a person's overall well-being. By incorporating techniques that target the body, such as yoga, mindfulness, or somatic experiencing, therapists can help clients access and process traumatic memories that may be stored in their physical sensations. The body is a powerful source of information when it comes to understanding and healing trauma. Traumatic experiences can cause a dysregulation in the body's stress response system, leading to symptoms such as hypervigilance, dissociation, and chronic pain. By incorporating body-based techniques into therapy, clients can learn to regulate their nervous system, release pent-up energy from traumatic experiences, and develop a greater sense of safety and embodiment. Body-based techniques can also help clients develop a greater sense of self-awareness and connection to their bodies. Many trauma survivors have learned to disconnect from their bodies as a way to cope with overwhelming experiences. Through techniques such as body scanning, grounding exercises, and movement therapy, clients can learn to reconnect with their physical sensations and develop a greater sense of agency and control over their bodies. Incorporating body-based techniques into trauma therapy can also help clients process and release trauma that may be stored in their bodies. Traumatic memories are often stored in implicit memory, which is nonverbal and sensory-based. Traditional talk therapy may not be able to access these memories, but body-based techniques can help clients access and release stored trauma through movement, breathwork, and mindful awareness.- Trauma therapy should incorporate body-based techniques because trauma is a complex and multi-dimensional experience that affects not just the mind, but the body as well. By addressing the physical aspects of trauma, therapists can help clients heal on a deeper level and develop a greater sense of safety, connection, and agency in their lives.
