Understanding Trauma: How the Body Holds and Heals

Trauma affects both the mind and body, shaping how we experience the world long after the event has passed. Experts like Peter Levine and Bessel van der Kolk emphasize the importance of body-based healing and nervous system regulation.

How Trauma Affects Us

• Stored in the Body – Trauma isn’t just a memory; it lives in the nervous system, often resurfacing as physical tension, anxiety, or dissociation.

• Disconnection from Self – Trauma can lead to feeling detached from emotions, relationships, and bodily sensations.

• Repetitive Patterns – Without resolution, trauma may manifest in recurring relationship struggles, emotional overwhelm, or chronic stress responses.

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Healing Approaches

• Somatic Experiencing – Focuses on releasing stored trauma through body awareness and nervous system regulation.

• Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness – Helps restore a sense of safety while preventing emotional flooding.

• EMDR & Psychotherapy – Evidence-based techniques for processing and integrating traumatic memories.

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How Serene Lotus Psychotherapy Can Help

• Trauma-informed therapy integrating EMDR, mindfulness, and somatic approaches.

• A safe, supportive space to explore past wounds without retraumatization.

• Tailored interventions for anxiety, stress, and emotional regulation to rebuild resilience.

Healing is possible. At Serene Lotus Psychotherapy, we guide you toward safety, connection, and empowerment.

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References

Levine, P. A. (2015). Trauma and Memory: Brain and Body in a Search for the Living Past. North Atlantic Books.

van der Kolk, B. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.