Bessel van der Kolk, Clinical Consultant for The Meadows, was recently mentioned in an article on PsychCentral. On her blog “Healing Together for Couples”, Suzanne Phillips cites Dr. van der Kolk’s classic text, The Body Keeps Score:

“In his famous work on traumatic memories, Bessel van der Kolk (1994) reminds us that “The Body Keeps Score”. Essentially he is referring to the fact that because traumatic memory is registered and stored in the emotional sensory centers of the brain as images, feelings, and sensations rather than in the language areas of the brain, the use of mind and body strategies will help in the integration of traumatic memories.

As a couple the more mastery and control you have over your body states – be it through yoga, jogging, gym sessions, walking, etc. the more you change the body memories of trauma. Modeling this, inviting your partner, finding opportunities to feel differently together is part of the process.”

The post discusses how traumatic memories differ from ordinary memories and how couples can help each other transform traumatic memories. To read more from the article “Handling Traumatic Memories in Your Relationship”, see the PsychCentral website.