Resource Roundup- “Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma”

For therapy to be effective, work must continue outside of the therapy room. One of my favorite ways to recommend self expansion is with bibliotherapy resources. 

Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic tool that uses literature- books and other written works- as a means to help individuals understand and cope with their emotions, experiences and challenges. It can deepen insight and provide comfort/perspective through the lens of learning. 

I will be highlighting resources I consistently recommend to my clients for enhanced mental health. This resource roundup, “Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma” by Peter Levine presents a somatic and biological approach to understanding and healing from trauma through the connection of body and mind. Levine is a leading traumatologist who argues that trauma isn’t just a psychological issue, but rooted in physical and bodily sensations/responses. 

Levine uses the metaphor of a tiger to illustrate how animals in the wild instinctively process and recover from traumatic experiences. Unlike humans, they don’t hold onto trauma; they naturally return to a state of equilibrium. This observation leads to his central thesis: humans can also heal from trauma by reconnecting with their bodies and releasing pent-up energy.

The book offers practical techniques and exercises for individuals to help them recognize and process their own traumatic experiences, promoting self-awareness and resilience. It's a valuable resource for therapists, trauma survivors, and anyone interested in understanding the effects of trauma on the body and mind.

An important take away from this book is that healing is not about forgetting, but integrating the trauma into one’s life story. This allows for growth and resilience. If you’re human this book should be on your TBR (to be read) list! 

Get Inspired,

Lauren