Trauma Marks The Recovery of Body, Brain and Mind After Overwhelming Experiences

Traumatic experiences are profound and can determine a person’s life. They leave their mark on body, brain and mind. Trauma makes people afraid to feel what they feel and to know what they know. This leads to (emotional) suffering and makes it difficult to live in harmony with themselves and the people around them. During the webinar series, Prof. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (USA) will provide insight into what trauma is, what consequences it can have and what the possible paths to recovery are.

The webinar is based on the insights gained in recent years within neurobiology. This neurobiological knowledge has taught us a lot about the way in which brain function changes as a result of trauma, what the role of the nervous system is and why it is important to involve the body in the treatment. During the webinar, this complex matter is clearly explained, making it understandable and tangible why traumatic events feel to the person involved as if they are still happening every day.

Special attention will be paid during the webinar to the lifelong effects of early childhood trauma. Bessel van der Kolk will shed light on the importance of secure attachment for healthy development and on the influence of disturbed attachment on cognitive processes, emotion regulation, the development of the ‘self’ and interpersonal dynamics.

Neurobiology has not only taught us much about the damage caused by trauma, but has also given us new possibilities for recovery. Two methods in particular stand out: neurofeedback and psychedelic therapy with MDMA. The webinar will discuss both, including the latest research on these approaches.