In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk investigates the experience of PTSD and Trauma in our lives. He discusses how we might have emotional reactions that seem to come out of nowhere and how this relates to the irrational survival part of our brain. Dr van der Kolk outlines the findings from his studies...

In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores the importance of "meeting yourself". Dr van der Kolk explains how trauma lives inside our body and how we need to meet our body sensations. He provides us with tools and techniques to help overcome our overwhelming feelings, using breath and awareness. We also learn about...

In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk investigates therapy strategies for sexual trauma. Dr van der Kolk examines how sexual assault is continually lived out in the body and offers approaches for therapists and patients to help rediscover their bodies. He gives examples that may help recognise when clients are moving forward in therapy....

In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk investigates breathing in response to trauma in the body. Dr van der Kolk explains how ‘the body keeps the score’, and shows us how we can move our way out of the effects of trauma.

In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk examines what it feels like to be a traumatised person. Dr van der Kolk identifies the causes of trauma and shows us how to help overcome feelings of helplessness associated with trauma. When you’ve been traumatised your body becomes stuck in fear and terror. Dr van der...

In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk investigates the relationship between sexual abuse and drug abuse. The Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Study by Vincent Felitti showed a massive correlation with having been abused as a child and becoming a drug abuser. Dr van der Kolk discusses these research findings, offering insights and understanding into...

In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk provides us with a refreshing and insightful investigation into trauma. We learn about the adaptations that arise from trauma, including ‘multiple-self’s’ and ‘managers’. Once triggered, these adaptations no longer work and that’s when we can develop behaviours such as self-harm and substance abuse. Dr van der Kolk...

In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk discusses the importance of restoring connection in trauma survivors. Trauma can make us feel isolated, alone and like no one understands us. Dr van der Kolk offers advise that can help us feel reconnected after we have gone through a traumatic experience. When you’ve been traumatised you...

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...

In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk investigates the lonely and isolating experience of trauma. Humans are social creatures, our brains are wired to be social and thus it is vital for us to connect with others, especially when we are suffering from trauma. Dr van der Kolk explains the importance of going to...

In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk investigates how the body and the mind process trauma. Dr van der Kolk discusses why memories of our past trauma keep returning and explains the effects this has on our brain. He offers techniques and skills to help elevate ourselves from these painful memories. Dr van der...

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...

In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk investigates treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Traumatic experiences change the way our brain functions and how we see the world. Research shows that when we are traumatised our central nervous system is set to cope with our past traumatic event rather than what is happening in...

In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk explores the relationship between trauma and shame. Dr van der Kolk explains how most people who are traumatised experience shame. He identifies the different causes of shame and discusses our tendency to want to avoid our feelings. Dr van der Kolk describes the importance of separating our...

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.

In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk investigates the effects of childhood trauma. Dr van der Kolk explains how trauma most commonly happens to children, often associated with abuse, neglect or feeling unsafe. He discusses how traumatised children are often misdiagnosed with other conditions and offers solutions for taking ownership of our childhood trauma....

In this session, Dr Bessel van der Kolk reviews the findings of his extensive PTSD research, exploring the most important and effective treatments. Dr van der Kolk shows us how trauma relates to our survival system, explaining how and why the survival part of our brain can hijack our "rational self" after we have experienced...

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...

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...