The Body Keeps the Score: Trauma, Attachment, and Neuroscience with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

On November 15th, the Psychoanalytic Center of the Carolinas hosted a deeply insightful event at NC State’s Witherspoon Student Center in Raleigh, NC, featuring Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s leading experts in trauma research. For those in attendance, the event offered a unique opportunity to explore trauma through the lens of Dr. van der Kolk’s groundbreaking work, which integrates the latest neuroscience with psychodynamic theory and innovative therapeutic practices.

Dr. van der Kolk’s presentation, titled The Body Keeps the Score: Trauma, Attachment, and Neuroscience, provided an integrative exploration of how psychological trauma impacts the brain, the body, and our relationships. Drawing from his pioneering research, extensive clinical experience, and the teachings in his bestselling book The Body Keeps the Score, Dr. van der Kolk illuminated the multifaceted nature of trauma and how it reshapes the self.

Looking Forward: The Trauma Research Foundation’s Work

Dr. van der Kolk’s research continues to shape the field of trauma treatment, and his work through the Trauma Research Foundation is helping to promote clinical, scientific, and educational projects that expand our understanding of trauma. As the president of the Foundation, Dr. van der Kolk and his colleagues are committed to advancing the science and practice of trauma recovery.

Photos by Erin Bell