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The Transformation: Discovering Wholeness and Healing After Trauma
A world-recognized authority and acclaimed mind-body medicine pioneer presents the first evidenced-based program to reverse the psychological and biological damage caused by trauma.
In his role as the founder and director of The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM), the worlds largest and most effective program for healing population-wide trauma, Harvard-trained psychiatrist James Gordon has taught a curriculum that has alleviated trauma to populations as diverse as refugees and survivors of war in Bosnia, Kosovo, Israel, Gaza, and Syria, as well as Native Americans on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, New York city firefighters and their families, and members of the U. S. military. Dr. Gordon and his team have also used their work to help middle class professionals, stay-at-home mothers, inner city children of color, White House officials, medical students, and people struggling with severe emotional and physical illnesses.
Transforming Trauma represents the culmination of Dr. Gordon’s fifty years as a mind-body medicine pioneer and an advocate of integrative approaches to overcoming psychological trauma and stress. Offering inspirational stories, eye-opening research, and innovative prescriptive support, Transforming Trauma makes accessible for the first time the methods that Dr. Gordon—with the help of his faculty of 160, and 6,000 trained clinicians, educators, and community leaders—has developed and used to relieve the suffering of hundreds of thousands of adults and children around the world.
In his role as the founder and director of The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM), the worlds largest and most effective program for healing population-wide trauma, Harvard-trained psychiatrist James Gordon has taught a curriculum that has alleviated trauma to populations as diverse as refugees and survivors of war in Bosnia, Kosovo, Israel, Gaza, and Syria, as well as Native Americans on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, New York city firefighters and their families, and members of the U. S. military. Dr. Gordon and his team have also used their work to help middle class professionals, stay-at-home mothers, inner city children of color, White House officials, medical students, and people struggling with severe emotional and physical illnesses.
Transforming Trauma represents the culmination of Dr. Gordon’s fifty years as a mind-body medicine pioneer and an advocate of integrative approaches to overcoming psychological trauma and stress. Offering inspirational stories, eye-opening research, and innovative prescriptive support, Transforming Trauma makes accessible for the first time the methods that Dr. Gordon—with the help of his faculty of 160, and 6,000 trained clinicians, educators, and community leaders—has developed and used to relieve the suffering of hundreds of thousands of adults and children around the world.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2019
306 people are currently reading
2498 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 14, 2020
I was excited about this book when I began it. It starts off pretty good but quickly becomes disappointing for anyone with more than a cursory knowledge of trauma and healing. Gordon is simplistic. Despite having 22 chapters, this book can basically be boiled down to "learn how to meditated and breathe deeply." In fact, he returns so often to instructions for "Soft Belly" breathing that he could have called the book "The Transformative Power of Breath." There are a handful of movement or art therapy techniques tossed in but covered so cursorily that it often ended up seeming pointless.
Most alarming though is that he recommends things with groups that have a pretty strong reputation for having cultic histories and are linked with having caused trauma and harm in people (e.g. Osho, before he changed his name, was the leader of a cultic group in Oregon that committed a bioterrorist attack on over 700 people). If he is ignorant of the history of some of his sources or recommendations, that's concerning considering that he's purporting to specialize in trauma. If he's aware of the history and ignores it, that's even more alarming. Meditation isn't a bad tool, but to pretend that cultic groups having abused meditation or breathing exercises is harmful both to those who survived those groups and to those who may inadvertently get sucked into something dangerous while vulnerable and hoping to heal trauma.
Overall, I can't say that I got anything from this book that will be useful. The useful bits are easier to find and covered in more depth in books like The Body Keeps the Score or Waking the Tiger. The rest was alarmingly shallow, forgettable, or questionable. He also NEVER mentions having a therapist to help with trauma until the Appendix. I can't recommend this book to anyone.
I'll add one last note, specifically regarding the chapter on forgiveness and the one on love right at the end...they were bunk. There's so much more complexity there than was acknowledged. Especially when dealing with relational trauma, it's unwise or even potentially dangerous to tell someone "if you feel like reaching out to someone you're estranged from, go ahead and do it. Don't wait." How about teaching someone how to learn to listen to themselves and discern when they might be wanting to reach out to an abuser because of a trauma bond vs. something healthier? How about teaching people to hold boundaries as part of their healing...or to recognize when they should leave someone alone if they may have been the aggressor and suddenly want to ask for forgiveness. It is not always wise or appropriate to just chase after any old impulse just because it's there.
Most alarming though is that he recommends things with groups that have a pretty strong reputation for having cultic histories and are linked with having caused trauma and harm in people (e.g. Osho, before he changed his name, was the leader of a cultic group in Oregon that committed a bioterrorist attack on over 700 people). If he is ignorant of the history of some of his sources or recommendations, that's concerning considering that he's purporting to specialize in trauma. If he's aware of the history and ignores it, that's even more alarming. Meditation isn't a bad tool, but to pretend that cultic groups having abused meditation or breathing exercises is harmful both to those who survived those groups and to those who may inadvertently get sucked into something dangerous while vulnerable and hoping to heal trauma.
Overall, I can't say that I got anything from this book that will be useful. The useful bits are easier to find and covered in more depth in books like The Body Keeps the Score or Waking the Tiger. The rest was alarmingly shallow, forgettable, or questionable. He also NEVER mentions having a therapist to help with trauma until the Appendix. I can't recommend this book to anyone.
I'll add one last note, specifically regarding the chapter on forgiveness and the one on love right at the end...they were bunk. There's so much more complexity there than was acknowledged. Especially when dealing with relational trauma, it's unwise or even potentially dangerous to tell someone "if you feel like reaching out to someone you're estranged from, go ahead and do it. Don't wait." How about teaching someone how to learn to listen to themselves and discern when they might be wanting to reach out to an abuser because of a trauma bond vs. something healthier? How about teaching people to hold boundaries as part of their healing...or to recognize when they should leave someone alone if they may have been the aggressor and suddenly want to ask for forgiveness. It is not always wise or appropriate to just chase after any old impulse just because it's there.
September 30, 2019
Following the February 14, 2018 shooting massacre at my school, I never thought I would be able to return to the school and teach again. The skills in this book provided me with all of the tools I needed to bring a year of healing, learning, and love to my students. Also, I can honestly say his model has set me on a path of post traumatic growth in which I once again feel joy in my life. It works!
September 26, 2019
We live in a world where the idea of trauma as insoluble is perpetuated. In his work with The Center for Mind-Body Medicine and in the pages of The Transformation: Discovering Wholeness and Healing After Trauma, Dr. James Gordon offers us all a hopeful counter-narrative: healing from trauma is possible, and the trauma-healing journey can lead us to find lives that are enriched by a greater sense of love for and connection to others, our natural world, and our purpose.
As a woman who experienced significant trauma as a young adult, I have found the integrative model for trauma-healing that Dr. Gordon teaches in The Transformation to be compassionate, effective, and sustainable. The accessible and practical techniques of self-care and self-expression allowed me to recall and embrace my innate capacity for healing, to grow through and beyond the trauma that had kept me “frozen” and unable to authentically connect with or trust myself or others.
Now, as I prepare to enter medical school, I continue to use the techniques Dr. Gordon describes in The Transformation in my own life; I use the expressive meditation ‘Shaking and Dancing’ before each and every test (I was the only calm person in my cohort of test takers during the MCAT), Guided Imagery and Drawings to gain insight and clarity into how I should approach making difficult decisions, and Dialogue with a Symptom when things come up that I didn’t expect or don’t understand.
The Transformation is a friend, a versatile resource, and a powerful testament to the infinite potential of a healing partnership with your own mind, body, and spirit.
As a woman who experienced significant trauma as a young adult, I have found the integrative model for trauma-healing that Dr. Gordon teaches in The Transformation to be compassionate, effective, and sustainable. The accessible and practical techniques of self-care and self-expression allowed me to recall and embrace my innate capacity for healing, to grow through and beyond the trauma that had kept me “frozen” and unable to authentically connect with or trust myself or others.
Now, as I prepare to enter medical school, I continue to use the techniques Dr. Gordon describes in The Transformation in my own life; I use the expressive meditation ‘Shaking and Dancing’ before each and every test (I was the only calm person in my cohort of test takers during the MCAT), Guided Imagery and Drawings to gain insight and clarity into how I should approach making difficult decisions, and Dialogue with a Symptom when things come up that I didn’t expect or don’t understand.
The Transformation is a friend, a versatile resource, and a powerful testament to the infinite potential of a healing partnership with your own mind, body, and spirit.
February 18, 2020
Overall pretty good. There are some things that I question, like avoiding aluminum and a technique from the Bhagwan Shree Rajnesh (that may raise more alarm bells for Oregonians). Like, maybe if you are doing some actual good things for yourself then if some that mean nothing get mixed in you think of them as more valuable than they actually are. Or maybe they are all good, and at least unlikely to be harmful. I have some skepticism for some parts, basically.
Despite that, I do know that some of the recommendations - like meditation -are definitely good, and the organizations success with many people is also affirming. It's worth at least trying.
Also, this is a minor thing, but the appendix on looking for a counselor has some really practical and helpful information.
Despite that, I do know that some of the recommendations - like meditation -are definitely good, and the organizations success with many people is also affirming. It's worth at least trying.
Also, this is a minor thing, but the appendix on looking for a counselor has some really practical and helpful information.
October 30, 2021
As with all self help books, you take what works and leave the rest. There are things worth taking in here.
June 6, 2022
I read this book to see if I could find ways to better support my loved ones in coping with and processing their numerous traumas. I didn't find anything useful here. The techniques may have some genuine efficacy, but I think it would have been a better post-it note than book. Imagine the advice that a stereotype of a yoga teacher would give you for healthy living. You have successfully replicated the content. The most useful section was the appendix at the end that suggests that therapy may also help and describes some modalities.
But beyond lacking any cognitive framework for processing trauma, the presentation is eyeroll worthy at best. Much of it is about success stories in a way that feels like an advertisement for itself rather than an explanation of application of techniques. It also relies heavily on appeals to exoticism, positivity, and vague spiritualism. Worse than the general hokey pop psychology feel of it are the casual fatphobia and the trans exclusionary language. This was released in 2019 by a psychologist. There is no excuse.
But beyond lacking any cognitive framework for processing trauma, the presentation is eyeroll worthy at best. Much of it is about success stories in a way that feels like an advertisement for itself rather than an explanation of application of techniques. It also relies heavily on appeals to exoticism, positivity, and vague spiritualism. Worse than the general hokey pop psychology feel of it are the casual fatphobia and the trans exclusionary language. This was released in 2019 by a psychologist. There is no excuse.
April 19, 2020
I listened to this book on audiobook which I would recommend. It's a self help book that describes different strategies for relaxation and coping with stress, which are actually very helpful for people that are quarantined. Some of it is well known techniques like deep breathing etc but its timely information for anyone who has anxiety issues including Type A people who express their anxiety by trying to control everyone else's behavior.
July 5, 2024
It was a balm for me, a gift freely given by award winning James Gordon !! A gift for my future clients, too!
May 14, 2025
Good book, read it in conjunction with my internship. Nothing new when it came to concepts, and didn’t want to do the “activities” lol, I wanted more of a research based reading. Liked the small things though, like talking about gratitude and forgiveness.
November 16, 2019
This is a very informative, useful, and helpful book. Dr. Gordon shares his well of knowledge with readers on what he has learned. Those tools are featured in this book. To be honest, this book should be used as a guide and not just a "book". What I mean by this is what you won't just read this book once and be done but refer to it again and again and maybe with different sections.
I know that I learned a lot and looked at the word "trauma" in a new light. It meant many things not just "physical trauma". As I was reading the first section was the breathing one featuring "soft belly" technique. I had to stop reading to try it out. After just the one time I felt relaxed.
Dr. Gordon goes on to explain how stress affects our gut and the importance of a good food diet. animal therapy, laughter, etc. After reading this book, I felt like I was "transformed" for the better. What I enjoyed about this book is the fact that this book did not read like a "scientific" study but in an easy understandable guide.
I know that I learned a lot and looked at the word "trauma" in a new light. It meant many things not just "physical trauma". As I was reading the first section was the breathing one featuring "soft belly" technique. I had to stop reading to try it out. After just the one time I felt relaxed.
Dr. Gordon goes on to explain how stress affects our gut and the importance of a good food diet. animal therapy, laughter, etc. After reading this book, I felt like I was "transformed" for the better. What I enjoyed about this book is the fact that this book did not read like a "scientific" study but in an easy understandable guide.
January 3, 2021
I guess I’ll have to return to this page again once I’ve committed more time to some of the practices. Or not. It’s better than his earlier book (which I read when the library didn’t have this one) but I just couldn’t connect. Doing the meditations tended to leave me disappointed with myself and my failure of creativity. I called my “wise guide” and it was the witch from the movie Willow, just yelling “concentrate, try harder” as she shifted from form to form. I already know I need to concentrate and try harder. Idunno. I guess I’ll have to do a revision once more time has passed.
October 8, 2019
As a caregiver and nurse I attest to the simple research-based techniques that Dr. Gordon offers in The Transformation. The techniques have offered hope and freedom to me and countless others who have felt like victims with stress and trauma. Dr. Gordon's book is an easy read with 25 techniques readers can "try on". I'm grateful for this book, and highly recommend it for the hope it brings for getting unstuck and living life more fully.
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September 8, 2019The Transformation: Discovering Wholeness and Healing After Trauma by James S. Gordon is a self-help book of healing for post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Written in an easy to read format that gives the reader tips, tricks, and real-life stories. The is a helpful read for anyone who wants to heal their own wounds or those helping others do so.
February 12, 2020
A plethora of self-help and healing techniques. I liked the fact that there were so many new ideas in here. Some ideas seemed very far fetched and things I wouldnt do, but there were so many new ideas to try. Very inspirationsl.
May 18, 2021
There's a lot of good stuff here, but I got bogged down after a while and had to force myself to finish it. Still, if you are looking for solid, specific advice about techniques to try -- and encouragement from people who have, indeed, been transformed -- this is a good resource.
March 12, 2023
I have read a LOT of trauma books, and this is one of the very few that I would never recommend to anyone. I felt like most of the book was just the author tooting his own horn for all the people he’s helped, with a very very very rudimentary explanation of each step he uses to help people. Even the examples were quick and not helpful, and there were so few details in people’s stories that they were not relatable, and therefore just felt like name dropping without substance. The dialogue was poorly written, making it even more confusing, and his research into cultural background was sorely lacking. I was surprised to learn he himself was Jewish, as the example he gave of Jewish meditation had the wrong vocabulary! A simple google search would have given him the words he was looking for, but I noticed other reviews complained about his lack of research in other areas, so I’m not surprised.
I felt the title of the book was pretty presumptuous, after I ended up skimming most of the book, hoping for something new, but finding nothing I could practically do anything with. I also want to add that the fact he thinks reading very basic ideas about breathing and drawing should magically heal the reader (which he said several times) is mind boggling to me. A lot of the methodology he mentions (again, very briefly, with almost no practical information) is best with a guide. This book is definitely not that. I’m sure he does amazing work in person with clients, but this book is no replacement for therapy or coaching, or anything of the sort. It’s basically a list.
For a more comprehensive look at healing modalities, I’d suggest starting with The Body Keeps the Score.
I felt the title of the book was pretty presumptuous, after I ended up skimming most of the book, hoping for something new, but finding nothing I could practically do anything with. I also want to add that the fact he thinks reading very basic ideas about breathing and drawing should magically heal the reader (which he said several times) is mind boggling to me. A lot of the methodology he mentions (again, very briefly, with almost no practical information) is best with a guide. This book is definitely not that. I’m sure he does amazing work in person with clients, but this book is no replacement for therapy or coaching, or anything of the sort. It’s basically a list.
For a more comprehensive look at healing modalities, I’d suggest starting with The Body Keeps the Score.
March 26, 2023
Intuitive Techniques that resonate with me:
- Soft Belly Breathing - inhale soft, exhale belly
- Chaotic Breathing
- Body Scan and Dialogue
- Speaking to your Spirit Guides through Visualization Meditation
- 3 intuitive drawings (Used during Wellness Group)
"What is hateful to yourself do not do to fellow man That is the whole of the Torah. The rest is commentary."
"Today I will move intentionally, but also with freedom. I will try to recognize the need for love in others, and remain compassionate, giving, and grounded. I will live today with joy and purpose."
Therapies that are of interest:
- Somatic Experiencing - Establish physiological balance; physical discharge of traumatic stress
- EMDR: (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) - imagery techniques, move finger back and forth to process trauma while enhancing function of prefrontal cortex
- Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) - refugee populations; chronological narrative that places traumatic experiences in context of your life
- Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping Acupressure Points while speaking out loud of symptom - for me, tapping solar plexus hardened areas while saying "I'm fearless and I let go of control."
Others Techniques of Interest:
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) - 8 weeks of group sessions, full day silent retreat; Transforming Trauma techniques involved
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (more meditative version of CBT)
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy (high dropout rate, understandably)
- Soft Belly Breathing - inhale soft, exhale belly
- Chaotic Breathing
- Body Scan and Dialogue
- Speaking to your Spirit Guides through Visualization Meditation
- 3 intuitive drawings (Used during Wellness Group)
"What is hateful to yourself do not do to fellow man That is the whole of the Torah. The rest is commentary."
"Today I will move intentionally, but also with freedom. I will try to recognize the need for love in others, and remain compassionate, giving, and grounded. I will live today with joy and purpose."
Therapies that are of interest:
- Somatic Experiencing - Establish physiological balance; physical discharge of traumatic stress
- EMDR: (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) - imagery techniques, move finger back and forth to process trauma while enhancing function of prefrontal cortex
- Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) - refugee populations; chronological narrative that places traumatic experiences in context of your life
- Emotional Freedom Technique (Tapping Acupressure Points while speaking out loud of symptom - for me, tapping solar plexus hardened areas while saying "I'm fearless and I let go of control."
Others Techniques of Interest:
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) - 8 weeks of group sessions, full day silent retreat; Transforming Trauma techniques involved
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (more meditative version of CBT)
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy (high dropout rate, understandably)
November 17, 2019
An indispensable guide to healing ourselves to thriving beyond the worst this life deals us!
Refined through decades of hard life experience with people from all walks of life, and grounded with masterful command in mind-body science, Dr. James Gordon shows us a path to recovering our fuller wholeness following the seeming devastation of trauma. He guides us in pragmatic steps and mind-body practices that mobilize our innate capacities for self-healing, getting us unstuck from paralyzing daze and fright, moving us from fragmentation and isolation to reintegration and connection, and returning us to vibrant, peaceful, joyful living. Full of compassion in the face of even horrific trauma, this is hope and inspiration borne by the lived success of thousands of our fellow human beings who’ve experienced healing in this way. As trauma does come to us all in this our perilous life, the self-understanding and skill offered here is universally helpful for facing threat with resilience, protecting ourselves from the toxicity of stress, and healing from injury, loss, despair, and burnout. The Transformation reveals – as it shows us how - that our human body-mind-spirits are capable of prevailing through the harshest experiences of this brutal world to enjoy again, and even more so, its beauty and love.
Refined through decades of hard life experience with people from all walks of life, and grounded with masterful command in mind-body science, Dr. James Gordon shows us a path to recovering our fuller wholeness following the seeming devastation of trauma. He guides us in pragmatic steps and mind-body practices that mobilize our innate capacities for self-healing, getting us unstuck from paralyzing daze and fright, moving us from fragmentation and isolation to reintegration and connection, and returning us to vibrant, peaceful, joyful living. Full of compassion in the face of even horrific trauma, this is hope and inspiration borne by the lived success of thousands of our fellow human beings who’ve experienced healing in this way. As trauma does come to us all in this our perilous life, the self-understanding and skill offered here is universally helpful for facing threat with resilience, protecting ourselves from the toxicity of stress, and healing from injury, loss, despair, and burnout. The Transformation reveals – as it shows us how - that our human body-mind-spirits are capable of prevailing through the harshest experiences of this brutal world to enjoy again, and even more so, its beauty and love.
August 22, 2019
Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Dr. James Gordon's The Transformation is about learning how to handle any sort of trauma that you may have experienced. There are a variety of different methods that he discusses in length in the book, and I tried all of them while reviewing this book.
While I was a bit skeptical at first of some of his methods (I'm skeptical by nature), the advice in this book just works! This is a book that I will be coming back to over and over again because by the time I finished reading this book I had already learned several ways to deal with my stress, anxiety, and panic attacks.
If there is any trauma that you've experienced that is continuing to cause you stress, please find a copy of this book, whether you purchase it and request it from your library. It really does help.
For a much longer and in-depth review, head over to my blog: The Transformation by James Gordon, MD - A Review
Dr. James Gordon's The Transformation is about learning how to handle any sort of trauma that you may have experienced. There are a variety of different methods that he discusses in length in the book, and I tried all of them while reviewing this book.
While I was a bit skeptical at first of some of his methods (I'm skeptical by nature), the advice in this book just works! This is a book that I will be coming back to over and over again because by the time I finished reading this book I had already learned several ways to deal with my stress, anxiety, and panic attacks.
If there is any trauma that you've experienced that is continuing to cause you stress, please find a copy of this book, whether you purchase it and request it from your library. It really does help.
For a much longer and in-depth review, head over to my blog: The Transformation by James Gordon, MD - A Review
August 12, 2020
I began this book after listening to a Tara Brach podcast with the author. As with so many books on trauma, the personal stories told throughout can be triggering so I ended up putting it down for months. However, I wanted to finish it after hearing the statistics on how people with PTSD responded to his program, so I picked it up again, skimmed over the personal stories and took notes of the ideas I hadn't read before elsewhere. His summaries of several different available therapies at the end of the book were helpful as was the information on body movement. I much prefer books in the style of Pete Walker's CPTSD book that focus on concrete steps (more of a manual), less on stories. All in all, there weren't a ton of things new to me but I still found some of the information really helpful, I got a few new tools, and it's always good to refresh on the familiar stuff anyway.
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November 15, 2024Sometimes, you can agree with the goal and even some of the foundational premises of an author without accepting their extension into a place where there’s no empirical support. That’s where I am with Transforming Trauma: The Path to Hope and Healing. Much like The HeartMath Solution, there are extensions that simply don’t follow the evidence we have. Despite this, there are some good things about the book, what it shares, and how it can help It just leaves a lot to the reader to ensure that what they’re reading is supported by science – or at least not invalidated by it.
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December 30, 2025
I read this book without having very recent traumatic experiences, yet it still gave me so much. I would not only recommend it to people who have experienced trauma, but to anyone it can be incredibly useful in everyday life as well.
James S. Gordon presents remarkably effective exercises, and I was genuinely surprised by how powerful their impact can be, even when it comes to daily stress reduction.
I would recommend this book to everyone. It is truly helpful. I also want to highlight how logical the structure of the book is. Everything including the biological aspects is explained in a clear, accessible way that is easy to understand even for readers without a scientific background.
James S. Gordon presents remarkably effective exercises, and I was genuinely surprised by how powerful their impact can be, even when it comes to daily stress reduction.
I would recommend this book to everyone. It is truly helpful. I also want to highlight how logical the structure of the book is. Everything including the biological aspects is explained in a clear, accessible way that is easy to understand even for readers without a scientific background.
February 28, 2021
Dr. James S. Gordon is an amazing story-teller and teacher. His techniques and healing rituals, individually or banded together as a whole, are helpful to everyone. He makes it clear that everyone has a measure of trauma and processing it in these various ways will bring relief from anxiety and peace. His international and national work is doing this for thousands from Gaza to Parkland. This is an erudite but very readable book.
August 3, 2023
There are a lot of techniques I haven’t heard of and the author adds science to back them up, which I appreciate. My problem was that it was hard for me to see my problems as problems after reading the stories of the folks he’s helping. So, will I do the techniques in this book to heal any traumas I may have? Not sure. But at least there are actionable steps for me to take and I know what they are now, should the need arise.
October 8, 2023
There's some great stuff at the beginning of this book, but it kind of just goes on and on with everything going back to his "soft belly" exercises. If this kind of meditation/exercise isn't something you can get passionate about, then the book probably won't be something you're passionate about either. I feel like the author probably has a lot of wisdom and knowledge to offer, but this book felt like it could have been an article.
January 10, 2021
A well-annotated, evidenced-based read that is also incredibly accessible. Plenty of examples of lives changed as well as instructions for the very doable steps to take. While it's certainly no stand in for working with a healing professional, the book is a very useful complimentary tool for anybody curious about how to heal trauma.
October 23, 2023
Actual rating: 3.75
Enjoyed reading this gem. Like many other books on trauma, he discusses the importance of breathing, dancing, forgiveness, gratitude, etc. I liked this book because of the various examples he incorporated, tying in his professional experiences. Also, loved that he discussed how trauma affects our eating habits and which foods / supplements to eat / stay away from.
Enjoyed reading this gem. Like many other books on trauma, he discusses the importance of breathing, dancing, forgiveness, gratitude, etc. I liked this book because of the various examples he incorporated, tying in his professional experiences. Also, loved that he discussed how trauma affects our eating habits and which foods / supplements to eat / stay away from.
April 15, 2021
I wish everyone would read this book. I love the approaches and that they’re so varied and look at lots of different modalities and approaches. I love that it covers mindful eating, living, and breathing.
June 23, 2022
There were some really good sections, however there’s language used that I would consider vulgar and was definitely triggering for a survivor of sexual childhood abuse and trauma. I skipped through those sections.
October 10, 2022
I did take some great points from this book but after having read a lot of books on healing after trauma, this wouldn’t be the top book I would recommend on the topic. It does include a wide variety of information, but not all did I find useful
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews