Knowledge Base
Psychotraumatology Library
An open reference on the history, neurobiology, and clinical treatment of trauma. Six categories, 50 articles, updated by clinicians.
3 articles
History of Psychotraumatology
Early Foundations (Janet and Freud): The origins of psychotraumatology trace back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. French psychologist Pierre Janet was among the first to describe how overwhelming experiences can cause dissociation – a splitting of conscious awareness – and to outline a phased treatment approach for trauma survivors^15. Around the same
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Neurobiology of Trauma
Understanding Trauma as a Neurobiological Condition Trauma is increasingly recognized not just as a psychological experience, but as a neurobiological condition that leaves lasting imprints on brain structures and physiological systems. In the seminal article The Body Keeps the Score, van der Kolk (1994) reviewed evidence that traumatic stress “disrupts the stress-hormone system, plays havoc
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Body of Knowledge of Psychotraumatology
Psychotraumatology is the multidisciplinary study of psychological trauma – its impact on the brain, body, and behavior, and how healing can occur. Over the past several decades, researchers and clinicians have developed a comprehensive body of knowledge explaining how traumatic experiences affect neurobiology, emotional regulation, memory, and relationships. This chapter provides an academic overview of
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Trauma
Introduction to the Concept of Trauma Understanding trauma as a complex and heterogeneous phenomenon is essential to effective psychotraumatology. While all traumatic experiences inherently involve overwhelming stress responses, the specific nature, context, duration, and developmental timing of trauma significantly influence its psychological, physiological, and relational impacts (Van der Kolk, 2014; Herman, 1992). The concept of
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The Triphasic Model for Treating Trauma
1. Introduction to the Triphasic Model Trauma profoundly disrupts an individual's sense of safety, coherence, and control, affecting every aspect of human experience—emotionally, cognitively, physically, relationally, and existentially. Effective trauma treatment, therefore, necessitates a comprehensive, structured approach to address this complexity. The Triphasic Model of trauma treatment, widely recognized as the foundational framework in contemporary
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Evidence-Based Trauma Therapies and Models
Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice in Psychotraumatology Evidence-based practice (EBP) in psychotraumatology refers to the conscientious, explicit, and judicious integration of the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences in trauma treatment (APA Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice, 2006). Over recent decades, significant advances in trauma research and neuroscience have led to
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