Trauma & Healing
Trauma-informed healing modalities, recovery frameworks, and resources for working through difficult experiences
148 resources
The Body Keeps the Score
Bessel van der Kolk, MD
Foundational book on trauma and healing. Explains how trauma affects the ability to connect with others, the nervous system, and memory.
On Trauma and Power
Jenn Turner
Embodied healing practices and power dynamics in trauma recovery.
EMDR Phases 1-8
Dr. Jamie Marich
Comprehensive EMDR demonstration with all phases.
Somatic Experiencing Demo
Peter Levine
SE therapy demonstration with veteran showing somatic techniques.
Somatic Experiencing Practices
Monica LeSage
TED Talk on SE practices for healing with body awareness.
Trauma and the 12 Steps
Integration of trauma-informed care with 12-step recovery principles.
Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse
Guilford
Professional clinical manual for treating trauma and substance abuse integration.
Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma
Peter A. Levine, PhD
Foundational text on Somatic Experiencing approach to trauma healing.
Trauma and Recovery
Judith Herman, MD
Seminal work introducing the three-stage model of trauma recovery.
Emotionally Focused Therapy for Trauma
Susan M. Johnson and T. Leanne Campbell
EFT application to trauma recovery with couples work.
In an Unspoken Voice
Peter A. Levine, PhD
Expanded exploration of Somatic Experiencing with theoretical foundations.
It Didn't Start With You
Mark Wolynn
Explores inherited family trauma and breaking cycles of pain across generations.
What Happened to You?
Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey
Shifts focus to 'What happened to you?' - trauma-informed approach to understanding behavior.
My Grandmother's Hands
Resmaa Menakem, MSW
Body-centered approach to racialized trauma with somatic practices.
Sacred Experiences Journal
Therapy Wisdom
Trauma-informed journal for psychedelic preparation and integration.
EMDR Gateway Videos
EMDR Gateway
Video library of EMDR techniques for complex PTSD.
EMDR Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing for trauma processing
SAMHSA
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration - leading U.S. behavioral health agency.
Amen Clinics
A group of outpatient clinics founded by Dr. Daniel Amen that uses SPECT brain imaging to help diagnose and treat mental health and behavioral disorders. They offer a unique approach combining neuroscience with psychiatry.
Sierra Tucson
A residential treatment center in Arizona specializing in addiction, trauma, and mental health disorders. They offer a comprehensive, integrative approach to recovery in a residential setting.
Silver Hill Hospital
A non-profit psychiatric hospital in New Canaan, CT, offering comprehensive treatment for psychiatric and substance use disorders. They have a reputation for high-quality care and offer a range of programs, including a ketamine treatment program.
Positive Psychology
Sean Achor
A resource focused on emotion. highly recommended for its valuable insights and content. by sean achor.
The Polyvagal Theory: The New Science of Safety and Trauma
Seth Porges
A resource focused on polyvagal nervous system. by seth porges.
Self Foot Massage
Bob & Brad
A resource focused on self-massage/emotion. recommended as a valuable resource. by bob & brad.
Spiritual Emergency: When Personal Transformation Becomes a Crisis
Stanislav Grof & Christina Grof
Foundational text distinguishing spiritual emergence from psychosis, offering guidance for supporting transformative crises (1989).
Can Psychedelics Trigger Psychosis?
Erica Zelfand
Clinical article examining the relationship between psychedelic use and psychotic episodes, including risk factors and harm reduction (2019).
How Trauma Affects the Brain
John Rigg
Neurological perspectives on trauma and brain function.
The Power of Now
Eckhart Tolle
Transformative guide to present moment awareness and reducing suffering through mindfulness.
Narcotics Anonymous Step Working Guides
Official NA guides for 12-step recovery program.
The Brain's Way of Healing
Norman Doidge, MD
Noninvasive neuroplastic healing approaches for brain recovery.
How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence
Michael Pollan's exploration of the history and science of psychedelics. This book chronicles the resurgence of research into substances like psilocybin and LSD for treating mental health conditions.
Gaia
Premium streaming dedicated to consciousness, yoga, meditation, spirituality, and personal transformation.
That Discomfort You’re Feeling Is Grief
An interview with grief expert David Kessler published in Harvard Business Review. It discusses collective grief, especially in the context of the pandemic, and the value of naming feelings to manage them.
Transcendental Meditation (TM)
The official website for the Transcendental Meditation technique. It provides information on the practice, its scientifically validated benefits for stress and anxiety, and how to find a certified TM teacher.
The Call To Courage
Brene Brown
A resource focused on emotion. highly recommended for its valuable insights and content. by brene brown.
Why You Feel Lost in Life: Dr. Gabor Maté on Trauma & How to Heal
Why Normal Is a Myth-Dr. Gabor Maté
Essentials: Breathing for Mental & Physical Health & Performance | Dr. Jack Feldman
Kati Morton | Identify, Understand, and Cope with PTSD and Emotional Stress | Talks at Google
The Gifts of Imperfection
Brene Brown
Guide to wholehearted living and embracing who you are.
Psychedelic Support
An online directory for finding licensed mental health professionals and integration coaches who specialize in psychedelic-assisted therapy and harm reduction. They also offer online courses and educational resources.
Healing After Trauma
Samra Zafar
Personal journey of overcoming adversity and integrating trauma.
Resilience and Trauma
Charles Hunt
How trauma can teach resilience as a learnable trait.
Relationships in Healing Trauma
Karen Treisman
How interpersonal connections are key to trauma recovery.
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose
A spiritual guide by Eckhart Tolle that builds on the concepts of 'The Power of Now'. It focuses on transcending our ego-based state of consciousness to achieve personal happiness and build a better world.
Vagus Nerve Massage For Stress & Anxiety Relief
Sukie Baxter
A resource focused on self-massage/emotion. recommended as a valuable resource. by sukie baxter.
My Therapy Session with Dr. Gabor Maté
Dr Gabor Maté on Psychedelics, Trauma and The Body (Part 5)
Joe Rogan Experience #1869 - Dr. Gabor Mate
Journalist Abigail Shrier on Gen Z's Anxiety Problem and Why Therapy May Not Be the Solution
Johann Hari on The Way Loneliness Impacts Mental Health | Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan: The Reason KETAMINE Helps With Depression
War Correspondent Ben Anderson on Receiving Ketamine Therapy | Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan Andrew Huberman talk Ketamine Therapy #shorts
Dr. Paul Conti: How to Improve Your Mental Health | Huberman Lab Guest Series
Ketamine: Benefits and Risks for Depression, PTSD & Neuroplasticity | Huberman Lab Podcast
How Ketamine Works & Its Potential for Depression Relief | Dr. Andrew Huberman
How Meditation Works & Science-Based Effective Meditations
The Science of Gratitude & How to Build a Gratitude Practice | Huberman Lab Essentials
Why Do I Feel So Anxious All The Time? Dr. Tracey Marks Explains Anxiety, the Brain & Mental Health
The Truth About Anxiety & ADHD: Life-Changing Tools From Renowned Psychiatrist Dr. Tracey Marks
Ketamine for depression - A Powerful but Tricky Solution
Science and spirituality: Jeff Lieberman at TEDxCambridge 2011
Solving Actual Problems (Instead of Just Coping Skills) - Break the Anxiety Cycle 26/30
Finding Purpose and Meaning to Overcome Anxiety - Break the Anxiety Cycle 29/30
Naturally Healing Trauma with Ketamine Therapy & Psychedelics
Busting mental health myths... UNDER ANESTHESIA
From Dead Heads to Depression Meds: How Psychedelics are Impacting Health with Dr. David Olson
What happens to lonely people under psychedelics (ketamine therapy)
Neuroscientist Andrew Huberman on Prayer, God, & Spirituality with Lex Fridman - Commentary
The Silent Crisis of Men's Mental Health | Dustin Hogan | TEDxGrandviewHeights
How to manage your mental health | Leon Taylor | TEDxClapham
Psychedelics: effects on the human brain and physiology | Simeon Keremedchiev | TEDxVarna
MedCircle Doctors Tell All: Hear Their Mental Health Stories
Supporting Someone's Mental Health
Mental Health with Therapist Kati Morton
How can I heal trauma & depression? MDMA & Ketamine are changing therapy
Ketamine Psychotherapy: Treatment Resistant Depression By Will Van Derveer, MD
Getting proper training in Ketamine psychotherapy practice in order to help decide when patients might be appropriate for referral and to consider offering of Ketamine in the practice. Ketamine has been known to have low and tolerable risks with c...
Authentic Relating Training International (ART)
An organization that teaches the practice of Authentic Relating, a set of skills for creating more meaningful and connected human relationships. They offer courses and workshops designed to improve communication and relational intelligence.
Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health
A non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting the art and science of yoga. They offer a wide range of retreats and trainings in yoga, meditation, self-discovery, and holistic health.
Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
A leading academic center for advancing the understanding of psychedelics and consciousness. Their website provides information on their groundbreaking research, publications, and team of scientists.
NAMI
National Alliance on Mental Illness - nation's largest grassroots mental health organization.
The Neuroscience of Trust
An article in Harvard Business Review by Paul J. Zak that explains how the neurochemical oxytocin is a key biological basis for trust. It discusses how building a culture of trust benefits organizations and individuals.
How to Integrate Your Shadow
Academy of Ideas
A resource focused on shadow. recommended as a valuable resource. by academy of ideas.
A Master Key: How Psychedelics May Reopen Critical Periods in the Brain
Greg Rienzi / Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins researchers show that psychedelic drugs including MDMA and psilocybin can reopen critical periods in the brain—windows of enhanced learning and neuroplasticity—potentially enabling treatment for stroke, traumatic brain injury, and other conditions.
Closing the I: Research Takes a Closer Look at the Experience of Ego Dissolution
Steven Jay Lynn et al. / Binghamton University
Research exploring ego dissolution—the loss of ordinary sense of self—and its connection to psychedelics, meditation, and daily life experiences. Includes development of a validated scale to measure both positive (unity) and negative (ego loss) aspects of this phenomenon.
Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS)
Institute of Noetic Sciences
A nonprofit scientific research center founded in 1973 by Apollo 14 astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell, specializing in the intersection of science and profound human experience. IONS conducts research on consciousness, interconnectedness, and human potential.
Why Dr. Andrew Huberman Changed His Mind About Psychedelics
Dr. Mike Talks with Harvard Psychiatrist Dr. K
Doctor Mike On Anxiety & Social Media | Conversation w/ Jonathan Haidt
PTSD Treatment Options - How to Find a Good Trauma Therapist
Emma McAdam, LMFT (Therapy in a Nutshell)
What to look for in a trauma-trained therapist and which proven treatments to ask about.
Ambiguous Loss and the 'Myth of Closure' | Speaking of Psychology
Pauline Boss, PhD (American Psychological Association)
Pauline Boss explains how to grieve losses that have no clear ending, from dementia to disappearance.
How the Body Keeps the Score on Trauma
Bessel van der Kolk, MD
The author of The Body Keeps the Score explains, in plain terms, how difficult experiences live on in the body and what helps them heal.
Truth and Repair: How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice
Judith Lewis Herman, MD
A warm conversation between Dr. Judith Herman and Dr. Bessel van der Kolk about what survivors say they need in order to feel whole again.
Healing the Fragmented Self After Trauma
Janina Fisher, PhD
A gentle explanation of why parts of us can feel at odds after trauma, and how those parts can learn to work together.
Polyvagal Theory Made Simple
Deb Dana, LCSW
A clear, friendly introduction to how the nervous system responds to stress and how we can help it find its way back to safety.
How to Heal From Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | Dr. Victor Carrión
Andrew Huberman, PhD, with Victor Carrión, MD (Stanford)
A Stanford psychiatry expert walks through what PTSD is and the practical, well-studied tools that support recovery.
Erasing Fears & Traumas Using Modern Neuroscience | Huberman Lab Essentials
Andrew Huberman, PhD
A condensed look at the brain science of fear and the steps that help old fears loosen their grip.
Dick Schwartz Explains 'No Bad Parts' in IFS (Internal Family Systems)
Richard C. Schwartz, PhD
The founder of Internal Family Systems shares the idea at the heart of his work: every part of you is trying to help.
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture (Live in London)
Gabor Maté, MD
Dr. Maté's talk on his recent book, exploring how everyday culture shapes our stress and what genuine healing looks like.
Using the Polyvagal Theory for Trauma | Dr. Stephen Porges
Stephen Porges, PhD, on the Being Well Podcast
The creator of polyvagal theory explains how a felt sense of safety supports recovery from difficult experiences.
Introduction to Transcending Trauma: Healing Complex PTSD with IFS Therapy
Frank Anderson, MD
A Harvard-trained psychiatrist introduces a compassionate, parts-based approach to healing complex trauma.
You Can Heal Intergenerational Trauma | Dr. Thema Bryant | TEDxDelthorneWomen
Thema Bryant, PhD
A hopeful talk on how patterns passed down through families can be understood and gently changed.
The Long Term Effects of Childhood Trauma
Kati Morton, LMFT
A licensed therapist explains how early experiences can echo into adulthood, and why understanding this is the first step toward healing.
Talking About Trauma Won't Heal You
Emma McAdam, LMFT (Therapy in a Nutshell)
Why retelling a painful story isn't the same as processing it, and what evidence-based healing actually involves.
The Container Method for Processing Trauma, PTSD and Intense Emotions
Emma McAdam, LMFT (Therapy in a Nutshell)
A simple, calming visualization skill for setting difficult feelings aside safely until you're ready to work with them.
Healing Racialized Trauma: A Conversation with Resmaa Menakem and Tara Brach
Resmaa Menakem, MSW, LICSW
The author of My Grandmother's Hands talks about how trauma is carried in the body across generations and how communities heal.
How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime | TED
Nadine Burke Harris, MD
A pediatrician's landmark talk on how early adversity affects health, and why care and support change the story.
What is PTSD? (Whiteboard Video)
VA National Center for PTSD
A short, clear animated overview of PTSD basics from the nation's leading PTSD research center.
Dr. Richard Schwartz Explains Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Richard Schwartz, PhD, IFS Institute
IFS's founder describes the model's core idea: we all have inner parts, and healing means leading them from a calm, compassionate Self.
Dr. Dan Siegel's Hand Model of the Brain
Dan Siegel, MD
The classic two-minute demonstration of what happens in the brain when we 'flip our lid' and how we regain regulation.
What is Pendulation in Somatic Experiencing?
Peter Levine, PhD, Somatic Experiencing International
Somatic Experiencing's founder explains pendulation, the gentle rhythm of moving between distress and safety that lets the body release trauma.
6 Ways to Heal Trauma Without Medication
Bessel van der Kolk, MD (Big Think)
The author of The Body Keeps the Score surveys evidence-based paths to trauma recovery, from EMDR and yoga to theater and neurofeedback.
What is EMDR Therapy?
Kati Morton, LMFT
A licensed therapist explains what happens in an EMDR session and why eye movements help the brain reprocess traumatic memories.
What is Somatic Experiencing in Trauma Therapy?
Kati Morton, LMFT
A clear explainer on body-centered trauma therapy and how it differs from talk-based approaches.
Dr. Stephen Porges: What is the Polyvagal Theory
Stephen Porges, PhD (PsychAlive)
The originator of polyvagal theory explains how the nervous system detects safety and danger, and why that matters in therapy.
How Trauma Stays in the Body and How to Remove It — Full Interview
Bessel van der Kolk, MD
A recent long-form Big Think interview where the author of The Body Keeps the Score walks clinicians through how trauma lives in the body and what actually helps.
The Future of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Rick Doblin, PhD (TED, 2019)
TED talk by the MAPS founder explaining how MDMA-assisted therapy research works and what regulated medical use could look like.
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD — Rachel Yehuda, PhD
Rachel Yehuda, PhD (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)
A pioneering trauma neuroscientist traces her path from skeptic to clinical researcher of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD in this Mount Sinai lecture.
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, and Healing in a Toxic Culture
Gabor Maté, MD
Gabor Maté's major recent book on how stress and trauma shape our health, and what real healing looks like.
Good Morning, Monster: A Therapist Shares Five Heroic Stories of Emotional Recovery
Catherine Gildiner, PhD (clinical psychologist)
Five true stories from a psychologist's practice that show what the therapy journey looks like from the inside.
The Myth of Closure: Ambiguous Loss in a Time of Pandemic and Change
Pauline Boss, PhD
The originator of ambiguous loss theory explains why closure is a myth and how to live well with unresolved loss.
Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors
Janina Fisher, PhD
A compassionate guide to understanding the protective parts of ourselves that develop after trauma.
Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory
Deb Dana, LCSW
Practical, gentle exercises for getting to know your nervous system and finding steadiness after overwhelm.
Homecoming: Healing Trauma to Reclaim Your Authentic Self
Thema Bryant, PhD
A former APA president's warm guide to coming home to yourself after fear and hard experiences.
Truth and Repair: How Trauma Survivors Envision Justice
Judith Lewis Herman, MD
The author of Trauma and Recovery centers survivors' own voices on what acknowledgment and repair look like.
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving
Pete Walker, MA, MFT
A widely loved, survivor-friendly map for recovering from childhood trauma, written by a therapist who has been there.
Transcending Trauma: Healing Complex PTSD with Internal Family Systems
Frank Anderson, MD
How the Internal Family Systems approach helps heal complex trauma, explained by a psychiatrist and IFS lead trainer.
An Autobiography of Trauma: A Healing Journey
Peter A. Levine, PhD
The founder of Somatic Experiencing shares his own healing story and the lessons of fifty years of trauma work.
Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy
Francine Shapiro, PhD
EMDR's originator explains how memories drive present-day struggles and offers self-help techniques drawn from the therapy.
Man's Search for Meaning
Viktor E. Frankl, MD, PhD
The psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor's foundational account of how finding meaning sustains us through suffering.
The Trauma Therapist Podcast
Guy Macpherson, PhD
Long-running interviews with leading trauma clinicians and researchers about what helps people heal.
Transforming Trauma Podcast
Complex Trauma Training Center
Conversations on healing complex trauma and attachment wounds, grounded in the NARM therapeutic model.
The Homecoming Podcast with Dr. Thema
Thema Bryant, PhD
Brief, encouraging episodes from a psychologist and former APA president on healing and coming home to yourself.
National Center for PTSD
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
The world's leading PTSD research center, with free, plain-language information for anyone affected by trauma.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN)
NCTSN (SAMHSA-funded)
Trusted resources for families and caregivers on how trauma affects children and how they recover.
ISTSS Public Resources
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
Free fact sheets from the leading professional society for traumatic stress research and treatment.
Trauma Research Foundation
Founded by Bessel van der Kolk, MD
Dr. van der Kolk's foundation advancing trauma research, education, and new approaches to healing.
NICABM — National Institute for the Clinical Application of Behavioral Medicine
NICABM
A long-running training institute whose trauma and attachment programs feature van der Kolk, Porges, Siegel, and other leaders in the field.
Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
Rick Doblin, PhD (founder)
Nonprofit research and education organization that has sponsored FDA-regulated clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD since 1986.
PTSD Coach (Free App)
VA National Center for PTSD
A free, private app with self-assessment, calming skills, and support resources for managing trauma-related stress.
Grounding Techniques Worksheet
Therapist Aid
A free printable guide to simple grounding skills, like the 5-4-3-2-1 method, for moments of overwhelm.
Coping With Traumatic Events
National Institute of Mental Health
NIMH's plain-language overview of common responses after distressing events and healthy ways to cope.
MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Severe PTSD: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 3 Study
Jennifer Mitchell, PhD; Rick Doblin, PhD; et al. (Nature Medicine, 2021)
Open-access Phase 3 trial in Nature Medicine showing that MDMA-assisted therapy significantly reduced severe PTSD symptoms compared with therapy plus placebo.
No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model
Dr. Richard Schwartz, the creator of IFS, introduces the model in an accessible way for a general audience. It explains how to understand and heal conflicting inner parts to achieve greater self-compassion and harmony.
Somatic Experiencing Institute
Official SE training with comprehensive certification.
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