Transforming Trauma: The Path to Hope and Healing

by James S. Gordon M.D.

Overview

A world-recognized authority and acclaimed mind-body medicine pioneer presents the first evidence-based program to reverse the psychological and biological damage caused by trauma.

Filled with practical tools to alleviate stress, anxiety, fear, and sleeplessness.

In his role as the founder and executive director of The Center for Mind-Body Medicine (CMBM), Dr. Gordon has created and implemented what may well be the world’s largest and most effective program for healing population-wide psychological trauma. He and 130 international faculty have brought this program to populations as diverse as refugees from wars in the Balkans, the Middle East, and Africa; firefighters and U.S. military personnel and their families; student/parent/teacher school shooting survivors; and Native American children – as well as stressed out professionals, stay-at-home mothers, inner-city children, and people struggling with mental and physical disorders and end of life challenges.  

Dr. Gordon’s work is grounded in scientific evidence and timeless wisdom. Through his decades of first-hand experience, he understands that trauma will come to all of us sooner or later. That each of us has the capacity to understand and heal ourselves. And that the heartbreaking devastation that trauma causes can also open our hearts and minds to deeper understanding, enhanced meaning and purpose, and greater love.

In the compassionate, compelling pages of Transforming Trauma, he invites us on a step-by-step, evidence-based journey to heal the psychological and biological damage that trauma brings and to become the people whom we are meant to be.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062870728
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	01/05/2021
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	153,218
Product dimensions:	7.80(w) x 5.20(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Dr. James Gordon is a Harvard-educated psychiatrist, former researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health and Chairman of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy, and a clinical professor of psychiatry and family medicine at Georgetown Medical School. He has written for the New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Atlantic, as well as numerous professional journals, and has been featured on 60 Minutes, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and NPR.

Table of Contents

Preface v

Introduction 1

1 An Invitation 17

2 The Biology of Trauma 27

3 Soft Belly: Quieting Mind, Body, and Spirit 40

4 Embracing Hope 55

5 Shaking and Dancing 66

6 All Emotions Are Innocent 80

7 Only Connect 97

8 Accessing Inner Guidance 106

9 Befriending Your Body 125

10 The Trauma-Healing Diet 140

11 The Wisdom of the Body 166

12 Taming Trauma's Triggers 183

13 Make Love, Not War 195

14 Nature Heals 207

15 Animal Therapy 215

16 Laughter Breaks Trauma's Spell 222

17 Reading the Leaves on Your Family Tree 232

18 The Healing Circle 249

19 Gratitude Changes Everything 267

20 Forgiveness 274

21 Love, Meaning, and Purpose 287

22 Next Steps 298

Appendix: Finding Other Help 310

Notes 325

Acknowledgments 355

Index 361

About the Author 374

Editorial Reviews

The Transformation is an exemplary guide to dealing with the trauma that comes to all of us. Dr. Gordon has earned his wisdom and developed his healing practices in some of the most challenging places on our planet. Now, for the first time, he is offering readers his fresh, holistic, and profoundly helpful program.” — Mary Pipher, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Women Rowing North and Reviving Ophelia

 “This is the book on integrative trauma treatment I’ve been waiting for. The Transformation is firmly grounded in science as well as in Dr. Gordon’s 50 years of clinical experience. Bright with teaching stories and warm with compassion, it provides a step-by-step guide to healing life’s inevitable traumas and becoming who we’re meant to be.” — Andrew Weil, MD, New York Times bestselling author, professor of medicine and public health at the University of Arizona 

“Trauma has two parts: the deep loss that is the trauma, and the persistent despair that we can never feel whole again. Dr. Gordon, whose work has taken him into the heart of suffering around our planet, helps us to break the painful grip of despair that trauma creates, showing us how we can ‘still say yes to life in spite of everything.’”  — Aviva Romm, MD, author of The Adrenal Thyroid Revolution

“I have enormous respect for James Gordon’s work and . . . his heart. This book could give you back your life in unimaginable ways, whether you think of yourself as a trauma victim or not. It will also inspire you to say ‘yes’ to the seemingly inconceivable and impossible, and bring it to life.” — Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of MBSR, New York Times bestselling author of Full Catastrophe Living and Wherever You Go There You Are

“You are really amazing and we give great thanks to God for the remarkable work you are doing in so many places where God’s children are hurting.” — Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize laureate

From the Publisher

This is the book on integrative trauma treatment I’ve been waiting for. The Transformation is firmly grounded in science as well as in Dr. Gordon’s 50 years of clinical experience. Bright with teaching stories and warm with compassion, it provides a step-by-step guide to healing life’s inevitable traumas and becoming who we’re meant to be.

Andrew Weil

You are really amazing and we give great thanks to God for the remarkable work you are doing in so many places where God’s children are hurting.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu

Trauma has two parts: the deep loss that is the trauma, and the persistent despair that we can never feel whole again. Dr. Gordon, whose work has taken him into the heart of suffering around our planet, helps us to break the painful grip of despair that trauma creates, showing us how we can ‘still say yes to life in spite of everything.’” 

Aviva Romm

The Transformation is an exemplary guide to dealing with the trauma that comes to all of us. Dr. Gordon has earned his wisdom and developed his healing practices in some of the most challenging places on our planet. Now, for the first time, he is offering readers his fresh, holistic, and profoundly helpful program.

Mary Pipher

I have enormous respect for James Gordon’s work and . . . his heart. This book could give you back your life in unimaginable ways, whether you think of yourself as a trauma victim or not. It will also inspire you to say ‘yes’ to the seemingly inconceivable and impossible, and bring it to life.

Jon Kabat-Zinn

This book and its message of hope and healing . . . have arrived right on time. Dr. Gordon takes us right into the very heart of our power to be whole and transformed regardless of our past.  Whoever you are, wherever you are, may you find solace, solutions, and peace within these pages.

Christiane Northrup