S5 E13: Dr. Bessell Van Der Kolk on The Body Keeps The Score

Beyond Theory

In this episode of the Beyond Theory podcast, host Dominic Lawson engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, renowned trauma expert and author of "The Body Keeps the Score." The conversation delves into the pervasive and complex nature of trauma, its far-reaching impacts on mental and physical health, and the urgent need for a more trauma-informed society.

Dr. van der Kolk emphasizes that trauma affects individuals from all walks of life, not just veterans and military personnel. He reveals that a significant portion of those who enlist in the military do so as a means to escape childhood trauma and adversity. The discussion highlights the profound long-term effects of early childhood trauma, citing a groundbreaking study that links it to increased risks for leading causes of death and reduced life expectancy.

The episode underscores the critical importance of early intervention and equipping children with emotional regulation skills from a young age. Dr. van der Kolk stresses the need for educators to be well-versed in trauma and to cultivate a sense of safety and calmness in their students. He also explores the concept of delayed trauma memories, explaining how the body and primitive brain store these imprints even if the cognitive mind has moved on.

Delving into recent events, the conversation touches on the January 6th Capitol riots, noting that many involved had significant trauma and dysfunction in their backgrounds. Dr. van der Kolk explains how hurt people often perpetuate cycles of harm by imitating abusive behaviors.

The episode also explores promising treatment approaches for trauma, including neurofeedback and carefully guided psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. However, Dr. van der Kolk cautions that psychedelics should only be used in safe, controlled therapeutic settings.

Throughout the discussion, Dr. van der Kolk emphasizes the need for a shift in treatment focus from solely treating individuals in isolation to addressing relational systems and fostering a sense of safety and connection among people. He underscores that humans are interdependent social creatures and that healing must occur within the context of relationships.

Key Takeaways:

1. Trauma is pervasive and complex, affecting individuals from all backgrounds, not just veterans. Many enlist in the military to escape childhood trauma.

2. Early childhood trauma has profound long-term impacts on mental and physical health, increasing risks for leading causes of death and reducing life expectancy.

3. Early intervention and teaching children emotional regulation skills is crucial. Educators need trauma-informed training to foster safety and calmness in students.

4. Trauma memories can be delayed, resurfacing years later when a person feels safe. The body and primitive brain store these imprints even if the cognitive mind has moved on.

5. Many January 6th Capitol participants had significant trauma and dysfunction in their backgrounds. Hurt people often perpetuate cycles of harm by imitating abusive behaviors.

6. Neurofeedback and carefully guided psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy show promise for treating trauma, but psychedelics should only be used in safe therapeutic settings.

7. Trauma treatment should focus on relational systems and helping people feel safe with each other, not just treating individuals in isolation. Humans are interdependent social creatures.

8. A trauma-informed approach is needed in mental health care, education, justice, and societal well-being to break cycles of harm and foster resilience and healing.

This thought-provoking episode illuminates the urgent need for a more trauma-informed approach to mental health care, education, justice, and societal well-being. By understanding the complexities of trauma and investing in early intervention and innovative treatments, we can work towards breaking cycles of harm and fostering resilience and healing for individuals and communities affected by trauma.

Neurofeedback and The Sacred Path To Emotional Regulation (themeadows.com)

Beyond Theory, powered by Meadows Behavioral Healthcare, is produced and hosted by me, Dominic Lawson. You can discover more at BeyondTheoryPodcast.com.

Special thanks to MBH Senior Fellow Dr. Bessel van der Kolk. To learn more about his work, go to www.meadowsbh.com/senior-fellows/

Sources to create this episode include the Veterans Administration, ABC News, The New York Times, WQED Pittsburgh, and Ted.com.

Finally, thank you for listening, and I hope you join us next week for another episode of Beyond Theory.