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Neuropsychotherapy and Trauma InterventionsOriginally trained as a neuroscientist, Dr. Jennifer Sweeton is a Stanford-educated clinical and forensic psychologist specializing in trauma treatment and the neuroscience of mental health. -
PTSD Relief TherapyInternationally-renowned PTSD researcher and clinician, founder of the Boston Trauma Centre and professor of Psychiatry at Boston University Medical School. -
CBT for DepressionDr. Nina Josefowitz has over thirty years’ experience as a CBT therapist and teacher and is the author of CBT Made Simple. -
Embodied DBTEmbodied DBT Specialist Dr Eboni Webb integrates DBT and Sensorimotor Psychotherapy strategies to address traumatised clients -
Emotional Freedom TechniquesDr Peta Stapleton is a clinical psychologist and leading researcher renowned for her evidence-based work on Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). -
Complex Borderline Personality DisorderDr Daniel Fox is a renowned psychologist who specialises in treatment of personality disorders -
Depression and Bipolar DisorderDr Chris Aiken is a renowned psychiatrist, professor and author who specialises in the treatment of Mood Disorders -
Psychopathy TherapyForensic psychologist Dr Tarra Bates-Duford provides a comprehensive study of psychopathy -
CBT TrainingDr. Nina Josefowitz has over thirty years’ experience as a CBT therapist and teacher and is the author of CBT Made Simple.
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DBT TrainingDBT Specialist Dr Eboni Webb offers DBT Tools and strategies to address complex clients -
Narcissist TherapyDaniel J. Fox, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist in Texas, international speaker, and multiple-award winning author. He has been specializing in the treatment and assessment of individuals with personality disorders for over 20 years. -
EMDR TrainingClinical psychologist, international speaker & best-selling author introduces EMDR therapy skills for working with PTSD and trauma. -
Sibling Issues in TherapyProfessor Avidan Milevsky incorporates the latest research and clinical work in family dynamics to examine multiple angles of integrating sibling issues in therapy -
NLP TrainingInternationally acclaimed mind coach, hypnotherapist and bestselling author whose work centres on the principles of neuro linguistic programming (NLP) -
EMDR Training 2Clinical psychologist, international speaker & best-selling author introduces EMDR therapy skills for working with PTSD and trauma. -
Anxiety and Worry TherapyDr Jennifer Abel provides proven therapeutic techniques to help your clients work through the spiral of anxiety and successfully face their fears -
Divided Brain ClinicPsychiatrist Iain McGilchrist describes the real differences between the left and right halves of the human brain. It's not simply "emotion on the right, reason on the left," but something far more complex and interesting. -
Sensorimotor PsychotherapyInternationally-renowned psychotherapist, 40 years’ experience integrating the mind and body, offers relief and a new way of living in our body. -
Hypnosis For Pain Relief TrainingWorld-renowned clinical psychologist and professor with over 30 years' experience using hypnosis for pain control offers a step-by-step guide to using hypnosis to enhance your clinical practice. -
Advanced Trauma Therapy TrainingWorld-renowned trauma clinical psychologist and clinician with over 30 years’ experience helping survivors to accept and love their wounded selves. -
Childhood Sexual AbuseForensic Psychologist Dr Tarra Bates-Duford offers expert therapy approaches for treating survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) -
Anxiety Relief TreatmentClinical psychologist, researcher and expert in behavioural treatment for phobias, provides dynamic treatment and relief from anxiety. -
ACT Therapy TrainingLearn the advantages and benefits of implementing Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) into your clinical practice with Dr John Boorman, UK clinical psychologist and ACT Therapy Specialist. -
Divorcing: Parents & KidsInternationally-acclaimed clinical psychologist, professor at Harvard University, McLean Hospital and clinician with over 30 years’ experience working with high-conflict couples. -
Brain SkoolBrain Skool is a collection of sessions from internationally-renowned specialists investigating the function and processing of their favourite brain regions. -
Depression Relief TherapyDoctor of counselling psychology offers understanding and relief from depression with a variety of skills and a wealth of treatment experience. -
Conflict in RelationshipsInternationally-acclaimed clinical psychologist, professor at Harvard University, McLean Hospital and clinician with over 30 years’ experience working with high-conflict couples.
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Emotional RegulationClinical psychologist with over 20 years’ experience helping people manage out of control emotions, irrationality, feelings of hopelessness and distress.
Childhood Trauma
SESSION 5 OF 19
Duration 9mins 54secs
TAKE THE QUIZ:
In this powerful session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk examines the profound and often misunderstood effects of childhood trauma. He explains how trauma frequently occurs in early life through abuse, neglect, or persistent feelings of unsafety, and why traumatised children are often misdiagnosed with other conditions. Dr van der Kolk explores the fear-driven brain and introduces practical ways to take ownership of childhood trauma while supporting the wounded child within. He addresses self-loathing and chronic self-blame, offering pathways to shift these patterns. Through body-based awareness and relational healing, this session shows how reconnection—with the body and with others—can become a foundation for lasting recovery and resilience.
ALL SESSIONS IN THIS MODULE: PTSD Relief Therapy
01
The Experience of PTSD
In this compelling session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores how PTSD and trauma shape our emotional and bodily responses. Drawing on research and cultural insights, he reveals pathways to healing, highlighting lessons from therapy and personal stories—including guidance from Nelson Mandela that illuminate recovery and resilience.
02
The Body & The Breath
In this transformative session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores how trauma lives in the body and affects breathing. He offers practical tools to regulate the body, understand the survival brain’s responses, and reclaim ownership of ourselves through mindful breath and movement, helping to move beyond trauma’s grip.
03
Accepting Your Trauma
In this illuminating session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores the adaptations our minds create in response to trauma, such as ‘multiple selves’ and ‘managers.’ He provides tools to understand and accept our wounded selves, promoting self-acceptance, responsibility, and the healing power of owning our trauma.
04
Finding a Therapist
In this insightful session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores the isolating effects of trauma and the human need for connection. He highlights the importance of therapy, guiding viewers on how to choose the right psychologist and what questions to ask to ensure effective, supportive treatment.
05
Childhood Trauma « you are here
In this revealing session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores the lasting impact of childhood trauma. He explains how abuse, neglect, and chronic fear shape the developing brain, and shares compassionate approaches for healing the wounded inner child, reducing self-blame, and restoring connection.
06
Trauma Is…
In this illuminating session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk reviews key findings from his PTSD research, revealing how trauma disrupts the brain’s survival system. He explains why the survival brain can override rational thinking, leading to shutdown, hyperreactivity, and challenges in everyday life.
07
The Nature of Trauma
In this powerful session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores the lived experience of trauma. He explains how trauma leaves the body trapped in fear and helplessness, and shares effective ways to re-regulate the body, refocus the mind, and restore a sense of safety.
08
Trauma and Your Identity
In this moving session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores how trauma disrupts our sense of connection. He explains why survivors often feel isolated and shares powerful ways to restore connection, highlighting theatre as a transformative tool for healing, identity rebuilding, and moving forward after trauma.
09
Processing Trauma
In this enlightening session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores how trauma is processed by both the body and mind. He explains why traumatic memories resurface and shares practical techniques—including EMDR and body-based practices—to widen the window of tolerance and restore calm and safety.
010
Meeting Yourself
In this profound session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores the healing power of “meeting yourself.” He explains how trauma lives in the body and shares practical tools—using breath and awareness—to face overwhelming sensations, activate natural calming systems, and reclaim ownership of trauma.
011
Sexual Assault: Drug & Alcohol Abuse
In this powerful session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores the deep connection between childhood sexual abuse and substance use. Drawing on the ACE Study, he reveals how trauma lives in the body and why drugs or alcohol are often used to soothe overwhelming internal sensations.
012
Sexual Assault: Understanding and Healing
In this insightful session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores therapeutic strategies for healing sexual trauma. He explains how trauma is lived out in the body and shares practical approaches to help clients rebuild bodily awareness, tolerate physical sensations, and recognise meaningful progress in therapy.
013
Sexual Assault: Pathways To Recovery
In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk investigates two cases of sexual assault. One case is of a 14-year-old boy who is assaulted by his teacher and the other is of a 3-year-old girl who is being molested by her dad. Dr van der Kolk examines the issue of shame in these cases of...
014
Dealing with Shame
In this reflective session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores the powerful link between trauma and shame. He explains why shame is so common after trauma and shares practical techniques for cultivating self-compassion, mindfulness, and a healthier separation between our past and present selves.
015
Domestic Violence Pt. 1
In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk investigates domestic violence. Dr van der Kolk explains how domestic violence is an extraordinarily complex issue that is extremely common. Approximately one third of all couples at some point in their relationship engage in some form of domestic violence. Dr van der Kolk discusses how this issue...
016
Domestic Violence Pt. 2
In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk further investigates the complex issue of domestic violence. Dr van der Kolk explains how after someone has left a domestically abusive relationship they may feel the triggers of PTSD.
017
Combat PTSD 1
In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk investigates service PTSD. Dr van der Kolk provides us with a typical case of a combat solider who has returned from war and cannot emotionally connect with people, and is living in an atmosphere of fear. Dr van der Kolk examines how the trauma of war impacts...
018
Combat PTSD 2
In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk further investigates combat PTSD. He examines different therapies to help clients work through combat trauma. He evaluates the effectiveness of Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) on treating PTSD and shares insights from his research studies. He focusses on neurofeedback explaining how it can be used to...
019
Therapies for PTSD
In this informative session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores effective treatments for PTSD. He explains how trauma reshapes brain function and keeps the nervous system locked in the past, and shows how new experiences and technologies can rewire the brain for safety, focus, and relief from chronic fear.
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