Description
How each of us can become a therapeutic presence in the world.
Images and sounds of war, natural disasters, and human-made devastation explicitly surround us and implicitly leave their imprint in our muscles, our belly and heart, our nervous systems, and the brains in our skulls. We each experience more digital data than we are capable of processing in a day, and this is leading to a loss of empathy and human contact. This loss of leisurely, sustained, face-to-face connection is making true presence a rare experience for many of us, and is neurally ingraining fast pace and split attention as the norm.
Yet despite all of this, the ability to offer the safe sanctuary of presence is central to effective clinical treatment of trauma and indeed to all of therapeutic practice. It is our challenge to remain present within our culture, Badenoch argues, no matter how difficult this might be. She makes the case that we are built to seek out, enter, and sustain warm relationships, all this connection will allow us to support the emergence of a humane world.
In this book, Bonnie Badenoch, a gifted translator of neuroscientific concepts into human terms, offers readers brain- and body-based insights into how we can form deep relational encounters with our clients and our selves and how relational neuroscience can teach us about the astonishing ways we are interwoven with one another. How we walk about in our daily lives will touch everyone, often below the level of conscious awareness.
The first part of The Heart of Trauma provides readers with an extended understanding of the ways in which our physical bodies are implicated in our conscious and non-conscious experience. Badenoch then delves even deeper into the clinical implications of moving through the world. She presents a strong, scientifically grounded case for doing the work of opening to hemispheric balance and relational deepening.
This book brings together understandings of the brain, nervous system, body as one wonderful interlinked system. Bonnie Badenoch makes complicated things understandable without compromising difficult subject matter. This book should be read by all especially parents and all who work with people in any capacity and those who want to be free of the tyranny of endured traumas.
One of the most important books I’ve read in a long time, regarding relationship and our nervous system.
The cutting edge of a whole new way to work with other people, not just those with Trauma
You don’t need control. All experience and feelings are ok. The right brain’s holistic presence is enough. The left brain’s analysis takes over when we perceive possible danger. Social presence and attention without expectation are enough. Such gems can be “applied” (haha! left brain) in real-time, and relaxed presence can mutually heal. The author’s stories and neurobiological background were both inspirational and instructive.
Discussion on the nature of attention was also fascinating and convergent with some of my other interests, especially those related to relationships, emotion, and meaning in life.
The Heart of Trauma
is especially good as a follow-up to
The Polyvagal Theory in Therapy,
especially in discussing the social engagement system and the ventral vagal state. Highly recommended – especially for those with an intellectual interest in relationships or “trying” (haha! left brain again – effort/method instead of relaxing into social safety) to develop a secure attachment style.
If you work with trauma clients or have trauma issues yourself, this work is revelatory.
I have this book on audio as well as in print. I’m reading and listening to it for about the fourth time. It’s the most respectful, gentle, well informed book about healing and mental health that I’ve ever encountered. It is hopeful and tender and humble – offering academic and scientific insights in a deeply immersive, practical way. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be a helpful healing presence for themselves, their loved ones and the people they work with.