8 thinkers, books, and ideas connected to this field.
Dutch-American psychiatrist — founder of the Trauma Research Foundation — author of The Body Keeps the Score — who brought somatic (body-based) trauma therapy to mainstream attention and is the most cited psychiatrist on trauma.
Canadian men's coach and founder of ManTalks — a community and podcast focused on men's psychological development, emotional intelligence, and masculine identity — working at the intersection of men's work and personal development.
American Jungian analyst who wrote The Inner World of Trauma — the most influential Jungian account of the psyche's response to early trauma — arguing that the psyche protects itself from overwhelming experience through a daimonic self-care system that simultaneously protects and imprisons the traumatized inner child.
American forensic psychologist who testified as an expert witness in the Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard trial — diagnosing Heard with histrionic personality disorder and borderline personality disorder — and who has appeared on MW discussing forensic psychology and trauma.
Belgian-American psychotherapist whose Mating in Captivity explored the paradox between domestic security and erotic desire in long-term relationships — becoming the most widely cited relationship therapist of the past two decades.
Hungarian-Canadian physician and author who developed Compassionate Inquiry therapy and whose work on trauma, addiction, and the mind-body connection — particularly The Myth of Normal — presents addiction as a response to trauma rather than a moral failing.
Hungarian psychoanalyst who was Freud's most creative clinical disciple and the analyst of John Rickman, who analyzed Wilfred Bion — developing mutual analysis, the theory of confusion of tongues between adults and children, and the emphasis on genuine empathic presence as the basis of therapeutic action.
Bessel van der Kolk's 2014 book — arguing that trauma is stored in the body's nervous system and that somatic therapies (EMDR, yoga, theater) can heal what talk therapy cannot — the best-selling psychiatry book of the 2010s.