The Neurobiology of Trauma – What’s Going On In the Brain When Someone Experiences Trauma?
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with Bessel van der Kolk, MD;
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with Bessel van der Kolk, MD; Pat Ogden, PhD; Ruth Lanius, MD; PhD Dan Siegel, MD; and Ruth Buczynski, PhD
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Love it ! Thanks for all you do !
Brilliant, as always thank you! Very excited about the rest of the series!
Very interesting training, I am learning every time more on how neuroscience research helps informing our interventions.
Experts are clear and concise in their presentations, with a lot of clinical examples that I found very useful.
Can you comment about Complex PTSD events. I work with targets of workplace bullying. These people have been exposed often to severe abuse, ostracism, exclusion, and verbal abuse, usually over long periods of time. The severely damaged person becomes ruminative, rigid in thinking, never feels safe and can’t make sense about what happened. How could someone treat them that way and why didn’t the organization intervene. They are very difficult to treat because of the rigidity and focus on achieving justice. This presentation really resonates with explaining the why of this.
The way that trauma adversely impacts the entire body and how powerful mindfulness therapy can be for trauma treatment and recovery. The role of inflammation and its relationship with stress and trauma and how mindfulness can prevent it or help reduce inflammation that can help recovery. I am new to mindfulness therapy and this session helped increase my curiosity about mindfulness as a therapeutic tool to help my clients. Looking forward to learning more. Great work!
I learned a lot about the importance of the client and clinician relationship as it relates to the facilitation of individual sessions.
Thank you so much for this hour is insightful information.
I am a teacher of special education and I will integrate mindfulness in the classroom with my students
I will use this with myself, my family, and my yoga and meditation students.
Thank you so much for this webinar. This was very informative for a short webinar, and I have taken notes to enable me to research further, Particularly vertical and left-right integration as I feel this will be the most apt for my client work.
First for Myself. Then for My Clients. This may sound weird: I had “accepted” the possibility of future illness at an earlier age because of childhood trauma, adult stress and resultant shortened telomeres. The idea of restoring my telomeres through presence and integration is invaluable. Gives me a real blast of Hope. I’m happy to be able to continue using the “Triune Brain” concept with confidence. Social Engagement + Observation of Sensations improves Integration and reduces Shame associated with Threat Responses. I could go on…. Thank you! My clients will love this information. Victor Jones, LCSW
First, thank you for providing this resource. My biggest takeaway from today’s session is a confirmation that I am in the providing space that I want to be by currently integrating neurophysiology as a basis for understanding the process of integration and thought and behavior output.
The message I communicate the most when working with clients is that understanding just a little about how we work as humans helps ease the guilt and shame about something being “wrong” which creates more stress and dysregulation and imbalance. It was nice to hear that echoed back today.
Wow, what an amazing session. I have read some of the speaker’s books and this session gives so much insight into the nature of traumatic experiences and how we, as therapists, can help people integrate those fragmented pieces into the present selves. Fantastic clarity on the brain functioning during and after trauma. As a future Hypnotherapist, my biggest take away from today’s webinar is how important it is to give our clients understanding of their issues, the cause the root and the reason of their struggles and how we can guide them to heal their minds and bodies. Science has gone so much further and it is so great to be able to have access to there resources. Thank you Bessel, Pat, Ruth, Ruth Buczynski and Dan for this lecture!!! Can’t wait to hear more!!! With love, Kateryna Semeniuk
I’m not a therapist, I am a teacher, but also a victim of Parental Alienation, who is now lobbying to get this abuse recognised in the UK so that victims can access support. Having an understanding of how trauma, especially childhood trauma affects victims is crucial, so my arguments are informed and have credibility. I’ve experienced the trauma, but it doesn’t mean that I necessarily understand it. Thank you for making them free.
I really found the concept of hypo-arousal as a response in trauma so useful, I want to examine this more particularly in relation to how some clients find that they are triggered at times into a sense of overwhelming fatigue and a desire to sleep (regardless of whether they have been awake for hours etc) thank you.
I found it interesting to know my problems developing relationships with others was connected to my PTSD. I also get a lot of inflammation. I practice mindfulness and it does help. I became a coach to help myself and others overcome the trauma. I’m considering going gold so I can keep the golden information.
Great presentation
I’m not a service provider, I’m someone living with trauma. I think from my research and awareness I have CPTSD but providers have said I am too complex to really know. I’m is Adelaide Australia.
Who here is skilled in what you are teaching and how can I get in contact with them? I am seeking assistance to heal and live a healthy life.
I am concerned my children have been impacted on a biological level from my trauma as the eldest has ADHD (and almost diagnosed with Autism) and my youngest has ADHD and high functioning Autism. Both exhibit many of the symptoms you have described.
I’d like to find someone who can help us. I want to stop the cycle.Any guidance is welcome. Thank you.
I have purchased a Gold subscription.
If it is possible to be directed to a professional who specialises in treating clients with trauma issues I would appreciate it.
Thank you for you cumulative works and especially for sharing it.
Please know, Without the free share sessions, I would not have bought the subscription.
Hi Ren, Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, we do not offer referrals, nor do we release any information about the practitioners who’ve participated in any of our trainings.
I can, however, recommend that you check out the database through Psychology Today.
Through this site, you’re able to search for therapists and support groups based on location, and filter through the results based on a variety of factors – specialties, approaches, and methods.
I am sorry I can’t be of further assistance, but I do hope this is a step in the right direction and helpful in finding the resources you need.
Dear Team.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful enlightened research in simply everyday terms that’s is easy to understand. What you have presented has furthered my understanding of how the brain works. Some years ago I did some CPD with educational psychologist Eric Jensen. The information you have presented builds on that knowledge previously gained.
Being trauma informed is a big thing here for teachers and other professions and is currently gaining momentum. Particularly in management of returned Veterans, Indigenous people and those who have suffered sexual abuse and harassment. I am looking forward to the next sessions.after which I will decide how I am going to use this information. I would like to contribute to the gold subscription and will do so when it’s affordable for me. I can not thank you all enough for making these sessions free and join you in my passion to educate and in furthering the understanding of our marvellous brains.
Sending heart felt thanks and best wishes. Lynda Hagar. JD. B.Ed.
I am a retired teacher and grandmother, active as a singer in several community choirs and a board member for two of them. I have some background in Biology, Psychology and Special Education. I share information about events like your seminars with one of my choir directors who is a music therapist in senior care centers, and other people who direct anti-racism activities and groups. But I have another story to tell and understand what I saw happen after watching today’s first session, May 3, 2021:
A couple of days ago, we took our fluffy, longhaired cat to a groomer to be trimmed for warm weather, and the poor cat was traumatized. Now I understand what was happening in his brain during his reaction. The groomer had said he only grooms one cat per day, and please arrive on time at 8:30am. The sign on his window said VIP Pets, Dog Groomer. Having had the cat groomed there successfully last year (at not cost, which is odd to me looking back) we didn’t pay attention to what should have been a red flag: his primary practice was with dogs. He did not take any time at all to get to know that cat, put him at ease, or establish a relationship with him. He put him on a table and immediately started shaving his back, and said to come back in an hour. We went outside and sat in the car but could not see inside. After several minutes he came out and said he was doing his best but that the cat was going wild; we could see scratches on his arms. He had put a helmet on the cat as groomers often to do prevent bites. Long story short looking back, I believe that cat went into freeze mode as soon as the groomer started shaving him, then into fight mode. When the groomer brought the cat back to the car he tossed him into the back seat and said something about Grandpa (referring to the cat being older, about eleven years old). The cat had evidence of having been shaved much too close to his skin, was trembling and shaking all the way home, couldn’t stand up properly, and immediately hid, and did not want to eat for several hours. We went to take him for a ride the next day and he was trembling again when we put him in the car. I recognized that that cat was fearful of having another bad experience since a car ride the day before had led to that incompetent grooming experience. Fortunately with lots of loving, petting and hugging from his owner, he is much improved 72 hours later. This experience was hard on me and his owner because we failed to anticipate that this groomer was a poor choice. I will certainly be more alert to whether or not a caregiver of any kind is sincerely interested in the person or animal for whom they are going to provide care.
In my years of teaching in a community college I certainly heard stories of trauma from students, ranging from war refugees to young adults who were severely abused as children. I learned that the best thing to do is to listen when someone needs to talk and give advice only if asked, and to offer support and encouraging words where I can. I taught voice classes, and over the 36 or so years I taught, I would sometimes have singers break down and cry in class when they began to sing.
You can’t imagine how hard this pandemic has been on the worlds of group singing, music therapy and music performance in general, for people for whom singing, or otherwise making music in groups or listening to live music is a major expressive and social outlet. Some of us who are financially and situationally able have taken to Zoom to practice together for the same reasons there are so many webinars happening now. We are the ones fortunate enough to be on the better side of the digital divide.
I am financially unable to sign up for your Gold Membership; but I will endeavor to spread the word to relevant parties, and to attend as many meetings as I can this week. Thank you for all you do. I had heard of Dr. Siegel from my friend Kathy Brous, author of Don’t Try This Alone, and was eager to learn more.
As always, an exceptionally informative session. Will be able to use its content for self-development as well as in the facilitating of one on one sessions or workshop breakout activities.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the first session of the Neurobiology of Trauma. I never realised how important that when all the different brain parts are disconnected, or are imbalanced during trauma, then the body is also impaired.
I experienced a “freeze” when I was 9 when an overwhelming level of depression and anxiety occurred in my family. I was emotionally abandoned and I protected myself by shutting down. This affected my school work. I was depressed and angry but I didn’t understand it. I also felt disconnected because I was ambidextrous and I didn’t know whether I was right or left handed. All this led to dissociation and an inability to learn beyond a certain level. Instead of studying at home I used to dissociate by falling asleep. I then felt frustrated and unhappy because unconsciously I wanted to learn. My teenage years and early 20s were very insecure and “frozen” until I went to therapy for several years which was life saving. Years later when I started counselling training and subsequently psychotherapy training, plus more personal therapy throughout the courses and supervision it all enhanced my personal learning and enabled me to feel integrated and autonomous. Thankfully I have never experienced depression again and my life is fulfilled and happy.
Ruth, thank you for your invaluable courses. By the way, I love the vibrant colours in your vase of flowers!
Warmest wishes
Pauline
Hello, I really enjoyed watching this first session and found it to be highly informative, engaging and was able to digest it well, too. I am a second-year Masters in Therapeutic Arts Practice student in Australia with an interest in a trauma-informed response to healing through expressive arts therapy and mindfulness with children and young people. It is up-lifting and inspiring to know ‘any person can make a difference to a child’s epigenetics’, sense of self and life. Thank you.
I am interested in the connection between second language learning (ESL in my case/ and language learners attachment/trauma.
I teach ESL to wildly diverse classes of new immigrants and refugees who have suffered or are suffering trauma anx chronic stress.
I have become aware of ESL learning affecting /repairing attachment and loving attachment to the learner’s Self and new English speaking self. I am an experienced adult teacher and experienced corporate/contacts/estates lawyer and hold a professional ESL licence with 3 years teaching experience. I studied several romance languages, have an MA in English literature and poetry and applied linguistics.
Catherine G. Uffen MA JD
catherine.uffen@,gmail.com
Hi. I signed up for the gold subscription in Dec I believe or possibly Jan or Feb. I signed up for several pts then the whole. I wasnt able to log on to them because I was afraid to do it alone as I had years of foster care separated from family almost completely that I am trying to regain and integrate and heal what happened inside. This free opportunity felt like there are likely others tuned in and I felt I would have some virtual company. I believe that the whole package you speak of here I paid for and probably the extra parts are included there in when I purchased it before. But I’m not sure. This process is working. I will tune in tomorrow possibly at a dif time but plan to try to catch all three days and think I can then feel safe to go look at what I stored in Dec (and some after) dif programs from your groupiI paid for. Please let me know if that’s true. I am Nancy Delaney at nancyfosterchild@ yahoo.com
Thank you so much for your time and the presentation – it was excellent – if possible to leave any side notes up a fraction longer – for others who read slowly. Otherwise, it is so helpful and well explained. Bless you, all for this service to a community that can use it to help those who need it. RMP Dorset UK
I am an ordained pastor and I have really seen the impact that simple presence can have on people experiencing trauma … being present with people in a deeply grounded and centred way when they are experiencing or post-experiencing trauma helps them in turn to come to a presence within themselves and now I understand (from the epigenetics section, but also how it cascaded from the previous segments) WHY this works from a genetic/neurobiological perspective.
For many years I worked as a volunteer on call spiritual care provider with our hospitals locally, and in many of the encounters I had with patients or family members, the shift from stress/anxiety to calm occurred through bringing that grounded presence with me into the interaction and then having that presence effectively be received and transferred into the lived reality of the person who was suffering.
I will continue to focus therefore on ensuring that I am fully present with clients and grounded, and draw them more into thoughts/memories and storytelling that places them in situations where they were able to be present and then draw them forward from those moments to the current moment.
I enjoyed the “freebie” very much today and will sign in again tomorrow for more 🙂 thank you.
Janaki Bandara
Ordained minister, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.
I am not a professional, just an adoptive mother of a 20 year old. I was his 5th placement at 18 months. I am curious about how my son’s additional diagnosis of hydrocephalus (VP shunt) might also play into his disorganized attachment from trauma. Trauma seemed very latent in his life until about age 15.
In my experience, some clients are not ready to hear how their adverse early life experiences may have contributed to their experience of trauma (e.g., they feel defensive or ambivalent about a neglectful/abusive upbringing). I look forward to the attachment module for some ideas on how/when/whether to bring this up to help de-shame and foster hope in clients who have experienced trauma.
excellent Thank you for saying this so clearly. Deshaming and making safe the intoduction of the trauma into the counselling relationship tc
I will be putting the “softening self-blame by using understanding of neurobiology” support people in shifting response to past trauma and so my clients can begin to reform the self with the goal of integrating trauma.
Thank You!
Thank you so much for making this available for us to watch. I am a student of counselling and this information not only helps me understand clients better, it also gives an insight to self.
Thank You to the presenters. Learning and understanding the relationship between brain and truama. Importance of Mindfulness training and social engagement.
I’ve been pursuing these ideas for a long time and listening to this makes me realize that this is what I want to do with my life–to help people integrate, through movement and practice, particularly martial arts. I don’t know what that journey will look like, but this is the most important thing for me right now. Thank you so much.
Are you aware of the research on the blue zone Seventh-day Adventists in southern California regarding ACEs? The population is one of the longest lived in the world, but research found that the majority had experienced one or more ACEs, but their lifestyle provided profound protective effects.
I want to sign up for gold subscription, however, I really want some ideas/recommendations for treatment.
Thankyou for making this freely available. I’m watching for my own benefit, and am very grateful for access to such helpful ideas.
I believe it is key essential to understand what trauma does with the brain, and thus the body. Hence I’ll be using this information to put together an informational session for clients to better understand the relation between trauma and physical discomfort.
I just love the work of Bessel and Dan! They are key inspirational figures in my development! Thank you both! But also all the other experts; thank you for you relentless work on trauma and understanding it better!
I enjoyed the first program and look forward to the rest of them. A couple of comments: When I read the initial information about the webinar series, I appreciated that I would have 3 opportunities each day to watch that particular day’s event. However, I didn’t know how long each daily program was going to be, so it would have been nice to be informed that each is approximately an hour. Knowing that would have made it easier to arrange my day, and decide which session — 11 am, 2 pm, or 6 pm — was most convenient. Secondly, I appreciated that with very technical information, the speakers were aware of the need to present it in as digestible form as possible.
I found this really interesting. Enjoyed the graphics and the repetition-to help learn the material to a point where we can actually use it in our practice. I have been running mindfulness retreats and used mindfulness in my work without fully appreciating the reasons why it is so effective with some people. I have studied children who demonstrate disorganised attachment behaviours after spending years in an orphanage and then moving to an adoptive family and so found the discussion on attachment difficulties especially interesting and i’m looking forward to learning more. So that was also very helpful. Thank you.
This was such an excellent UNDERSTANDABLE explanation of very complex systems and concepts. That information, alone is a powerful gift for myself and those I interact with.
I’ve always enjoyed the integrity and compassion from Ruth and her speakers.
It gives me great hope that all those suffering from Trauma and its effects can live
a better life, by society and close family and friends understanding, that it is not their fault.
I have worked a lot with trauma through the body mind and emotions and connecting the Heart and mind by making people aware of what connects them = neck =will.
Now there is so much more information available ,that health professionals have the choice ,to learn about, thus allowing a
greater choice , more tools in their kit, to keep people alive and vibrant ,happier and more fulfilled, as opposed to being marginalised or shut away from society as a whole.
Today’s session has confirmed to be that I was always on the right track and I am most grateful for that.
Deirdre
Working as a school nurse my aim is prevention. This provides significant evidence for the work we do in safeguarding children where they are living in traumatic homes and being impacted by ACE’s in their longterm health potential. I really want to use the sensorimotor descriptions to share with teaching staff where children suddenly exploded in classroom environments, typically a punishable behaviour further adding to their difficulties. I want to use a trauma informed approach to share what is physically happening to the child to appeal for a more sensitve reponse and environment. Excellent session thank you !
Excellent training. I’m working with Adolescents who live in the foster care community. I’m looking for practical tools to assist caregivers in identifying the difference between trauma and poor behaviors and appropriate trauma-informed ways of administering consequences versus second/third chances.
I am an Early Head Start Home Visitor working with at risk populations in a rural setting. My training is early childhood development and education, not in psychology. I appreciate having the opportunity to learn from professionals to get quality information. This will help me with awareness of why clients have certain reactions and recognize signs to offer referrals to licensed therapy. Thank you for making this content free so that non-therapists can gain tools to have positive impacts with families.
This opened my eyes to the potentially infinite number of stimuli that may trigger or dysregulate traumatized folks.
Much broader response possibilities demand total therapeutic presence, empathy and safety-encouraging interactions.
Excellent. As someone who works with often traumatised clients, and as someone who is on a low wage, it is great to have access to this. What I wish more MH practitioners of all kinds knew is that these ‘symptoms ‘, or rather reactions, are understandable, human responses.
Wondering about the connection between these brain functions and ailments such as dementia and alzheimer’ disease. there are some striking parallels in the incoherence in time processing and memory creation and retention.
Well worth the time.
Appreciate the overview of the 3 networks, ACEs conections, mindfulness, and more info on brain function and integration. I use lots of this in the Grief Recovery work I do.
Hi Margie,
I appreciate how succinct your comment is, summarizing the most important highlights of this morning’s presentation. I am interested in hearing about your work in Grief Recovery. I, too, specialize in grief recovery, specifically after pet loss. I’d be interested in communicating with you about your work with clients, and how this information might be useful to you and your clients in your work.
Thank you for your comment.
I have a PhD in criminal justice which first brought me to this information. I no longer work in that field, but do have two step children who have been impacted by trauma. This has been helpful for me as I support them and work with their treatment teams. Thank you.
Wonderful information so helpful personally to understand the brain and how it works
I really enjoyed day 1 of this webinar. It was helpful to learn more about the brain itself and ways that trauma is stored in the brain, as well as the various ways trauma can present itself. It is helpful for me to know these things so I can better empathize with my client. Some clients find it helpful to have a visual of what is happening in their brain, so now I feel that I have more tools and knowledge to help them with that visual, to normalize how they are feeling, and help them through their healing journey.
I am a teacher and I will increase how much Mindfulness I do with my class. I will also try again to educate my colleagues in understanding the deep effects trauma can have on our pupils. We do operate a Restorative approach to behaviour and discipline but it needs deepening. Thank You !