Comments and Reflections on The Body Keeps the Score by B. van der Kolk

In chapter 19, van der Kolk returns to an earlier discussion on the intersection between trauma and neuroscience with the application of neurofeedback to heal the dysfunctional brain-wave patterns caused by traumatic stress or PTSD. Neurofeedback, according to van der Kolk, "nudges the brain to make more of some frequencies and less of others, creating new patterns that enhance its natural complexity and its bias toward self-regulation" (p. 315). The stick figure drawing he presented in the reading showed significant change after the neurofeedback process, as well as the story of the woman who was once a homeless runaway to an articulate young woman.  van der Kolk presented his point well in showing the efficacy of the practice, yet I am puzzled to understand why the practice is not used more frequently (or at least not readily available under insurance coverage). I am especially curious to understand the connection between improved creativity, music, and enhanced focus, atte...

van der Kolk writes, "Just as we need to revisit traumatic memories in order to integrate them, we need to revisit the parts of ourselves that developed the defensive habits that helped us to survive" (p. 281). With those defensive habits, coping takes its toll, not just on the mind but on the body. Yet, as we have learned in this class, as well as throughout this book, what the brain does to protect, flee, and fight is "normal" and, in fact, part of God's design. Imagine if none of those preservation habits were present when we faced trauma. Imagine what our brains and bodies would do then. I fear all would be lost.  I agree with van der Kolk in the importance of not only healing the mind from trauma, but also working with the body to heal from our defensive habits. It goes back to the "I do not know what I do not know." We cannot shame others (or ourselves for that matter) when defensive habits become destructive habits. In the midst of our trauma re...

I appreciated van der Kolk's thorough overview of EMDR since it has felt like a modal of practice that feels like we have been introduced to the practice multiple times this semester (or, maybe it is just me since I studied it as a comparison practice in my CBT/DBT class, as well). Yet, EMDR also seems a bit mysterious and abstract to me. What EMDR offers is change and a clearing of the mind for the trauma survivor through a re-wiring and healing of the brain. It seems fascinating to me, yet so foreign since I have not yet had the opportunity to see it practiced in person in direct practice. Therefore, I found van der Kolk's process of discovering EMDR, embracing the practice of it, as well as his description of processing trauma with Kathy incredibly helpful. van der Kolk's use of yoga practice was also helpful. Again, I am seeing how important it is to engage the entire body in the practice of trauma healing. When trauma makes it difficult to engage the cognitive level of...