Transforming Trauma: The Path to Hope and Healing

I have been a psychiatrist for over 45 years helping people change how they live. This book is an essential tool for anyone wishing to help themselves or others become unstuck from negative patterns of living from all forms of trauma.Disclaimer: I met the author 25 years ago and he introduced me to an approach to helping people which has profoundly changed the way I practice and the way I live. This book is the culmination of his life’s work over the years helping people deal with trauma in all forms. He distills and integrates what he has learned and the advances in current brain science into a practical guidebook.This book is the antidote to the automatic reactions we have learned to cope with trauma.It is a clearly written and explains beautifully the varieties of traumas with small “t “as well as big T and how they all affect our brains and how we see ourselves and the world.It is an incredibly practical book clearly describing what we can all do immediately to improve our way of living and reverse the damage caused by traumas to our brains and bodies. It will helps you discover your own power to heal yourself.The author and the organization he founded (CMBM) has helped 100s of thousands of people throughout the world by teaching the skills in this book. The book includes personal stories of people turning their lives around by learning simple skills to change the way they handle the pain and stress of traumaHis style is very personal as if you are at workshop with him as he both introduces these skills and clearly explains the science behind them. He openly and warmly shares stories about his own journey and the journeys of many people he has helped giving this a very human feeling rather than a collection of clinical skills.I recommend it to anyone who has experienced trauma or has felt wounded and stuck in life and wishes to move forward to wellnessLarry Drell, MDMedical DirectorAnxiety and Depression Therapy ServicesWashington, DCdrdrell.com

The Transformation is a book meant to help people deal with trauma through methods other than being prescribed antidepressants and other drugs. One thing to note is that Dr. Gordon doesn’t think that medications are bad, in fact, he writes in multiple places that they are useful if needed, but that the techniques in this book can be used before resorting to taking pills.Of course, the advice and techniques contained in this book can be used if you’re already on various medications, such as I am. Medication only goes so far, and it’s always nice to have other methods for handling the bad symptoms of mental illness.One aspect of this book that immediately drew me to it was Dr. Gordon’s definition of trauma. Whereas many people think of trauma as something rare, he defines it as something that everyone experiences – from violence and war to losing your loved ones to being fired from a job. It’s this definition that I feel should be the correct one. So many of us can point to at least one traumatic experience in our past that we are still trying to overcome, and as such, The Transformation is a book that I would recommend to everyone.Within the book, Gordon gives us plenty of examples of how his methods have worked for different groups of people, from survivors of brutal wars, to business people, to first responders, and everyone else.I’ll admit that I was skeptical at first of some of the advice, particular what he calls “shaking and dancing.” Essentially, this is similar to ecstatic dancing, which I’m familiar with (it was popular when I lived in Asheville) but that I’ve never done. Well, I tried it while reading this book, and let me tell you – it really did help loosen me up when I was stressed and anxious. It left me feeling more energized. My full-time job is at a call center that deals with auto insurance, and it’s the most stressful and demeaning job that I’ve ever had. This past week, I’ve taken to hiding in bathroom stalls when I feel like I’m on my way to having another panic attack in order to “shake things off,” and it has really improved things for me. While it’s not going to solve the fact that my job worsens my mental health or that I have anxiety, it is a useful method for dealing with it in the moment.Another part of The Transformation that I really appreciated was the chapter on diet and mental health. I’ve always been fascinated by how the foods we eat can influence our mood and mental health, and it’s a section of the book that I will definitely be referencing frequently.I’m not going to go into detail into every technique that Dr. James Gordon discusses, because I think you should get it directly from the book. What I do want to say is that I am incredibly thankful to the publisher for reaching out to me for a review, because it’s already improving my life. I doubt I would have picked this up otherwise, but I’m so, so happy that I’ve read it.If there’s any part of your past or present that is causing you stress or anxiety, please find a copy of this book, whether you purchase a copy or request a copy from your library. Just get it into your hands and read it.

Not appreciating this text. Gordon’s Mind-Body treatment modality was developed for group therapy settings. It loses its luster for us without the group leader and group. It feels much less grounded, real, authentic with a patient reading and practicing alone. The book says it has resources on its web site (ie Shaking music), which we could not locate (and Center did not respond to e-mail query). This treatment modality was helpful in a group setting for practicing mind-body connections. As a book for an adult with childhood trauma who is practicing at home, we experience it as less effective

How rare to find a narrative that combines both the theory and lived practice of addressing trauma. Dr.Gordon's passionate care for others comes through on every page as he espouses a model that embraces a powerful group format; that he has brought this modality to so many corners of the globe speaks to its versatility, power and potential. His 50 year journey on this quest to bring as much healing to as many people as possible is truly inspiring. What 'The Transformation' also allows us to witness is the deceptive simplicity of a mind-body group approach that can and does bring relief on a scale that has always been elusive for those most affected by trauma. The stories in this book do not shy away from the pain the author encounters in his work; they make for a convincing testament to deep transformation. May this manifesto for a radical approach to global suffering ignite a response commensurate to the need.

Full of practical, helpful advice from a kind reassuring expert. I love this book.

This book just might make all the difference.

There are so many excellent suggestions in this book. It's easy to read and full of information. Most importantly for me is the techniques show the many things that can help heal trauma can be done without drugs. I believe that too often drugs are needlessly prescribed and can cause terrible side effects. The author seems to be such a kind and caring person. His methods have brought a lot of good to many, many people.

Man sollte man einigermaßen gut englisch können, um es flüssig zu lesen. Ich finde das Buch ganz gut, aber nicht überragend. Es gibt sehr viele Fallbeispiele und richtet sich an Traumatisierte, die ehr durch ein Ereignis, z.B. Krieg, beeinträchtigt wurden. Für Personen, die durch Einflüsse der Kindheit (Entwicklungstrauma) geschädigt sind, finde ich es weniger geeignet. Die praktischen Anleitungen finde ich auch nicht uneingeschränkt empfehlenswert und passen nicht zu jedem. Wer sich mit dem zweifellos guten Werk von Gordon beschäftigen möchte, der kann sich auch gratis bei Youtube informieren. Viel mehr Nutzen hat das Buch auch nicht.

Everyone should read this book. Learning the "Shake and dance" alone was life-changing.