Bessel van der Kolk

"Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence."

"The single most important issue for traumatized people is to find a sense of safety in their own bodies."

"We have learned that trauma is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body."

"As long as we perceive threats, our brains will respond as if we are in danger."

"Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health."

"The capacity to fully experience joy depends on the ability to process pain."

"Our brains are wired to focus on threat. That made sense when we were hunter-gatherers, but it doesn't serve us well today."

"Trauma is something that happens to you; recovery is something you do."

"The mind can only heal when it feels safe."

"Our sense of self is formed by the communities we inhabit and the experiences we share."

"Children who are most traumatized go to the back of the class, where they can keep an eye on the door."

"The body keeps the score—all the information is stored in the nervous system."

"Play is the most important work we can do."

"Feeling safe is the prerequisite for healing."

"To recover from trauma, people need to find safety and feel protected."

"Our nervous systems need to know that we are safe before we can heal."

"The left brain is verbal; the right brain is visual and emotional."

"Language gives us the ability to live in the past, present, and future simultaneously."

"Healing happens in the context of relationships."

"We need to help people regain ownership of their bodies and minds."

"Trauma survivors deserve compassion and understanding."

"The creative arts are powerful tools for healing."

"Movement and rhythm can help regulate the nervous system."

"Children need to play to develop properly."

"Our bodies are always trying to protect us from danger, real or imagined."

"The window of tolerance can be expanded through proper treatment."

"Mindfulness is a way to bring the mind and body back into the present moment."

"Depression is often a sign that we have given up."

"We are not stuck with the brain we have been given."

"Yoga can be profoundly healing for traumatized people."