Healing After Trauma with Dr. Peter Levine | Being Well

[@RainforestMind]

"trauma is not what happens to us, but what we hold inside in the absence of an empathetic witness"

[@cdreamer4243]

saying it like this is SO much softer, nicer to feel than 'what trauma did to you' - it is true as well, still... so valuable, kind regards from Belgium

[@irismckay6472]

I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Rick at Spirit Rock Meditation Center years ago and have loved his work. This episode is especially valuable given Dr. Levine's amazing work. So happy that Forrest is following in his dad's footsteps of providing extremely valuable content for all of us. So grateful for all 3 of you!

[@japplesin]

Mr Levine is a beautiful soul.

[@bloomfullcircle6017]

Rick, thank you for warning us about Peter’s story. I didn’t expect to have a reaction but immediately I was weeping for little Peter. I’m so sorry that happened to you.

[@karenbird1279]

I am deeply touched by this interview with Mr. Levine. It brought me to tears. I don’t know what other words to say except Thank You to him for being such a light to the world. And thank you Forrest for bringing this interview and this awareness to me and so many others. ❤️

[@AnneAlready]

Peter is an absolute legend and an international treasure. Thank you for the great interview!

[@kingapaulina]

Thank you. This is such an encouraging message. I was sexually abused as a child. Only now, at the age of 41 , after hearing: It wasn't your fault, you were a victim, I feel as if huge burden was lifted off my shoulders. At last I understand why I shamed myself and felt guilty all my life, always thinking there was something wrong with me. Nobody understood me, not even myself. I just documented my story, and yes, I want to publish it, as I don't want anybody to go through what I went.

[@sallycanady3764]

Thank you for being so genuine and trusting us with your story Peter.

[@natalie.natalie.natalie]

So grateful to see Peter Levine joining you ❤

[@Mushroom321-]

Wow!!, peter A.levine. got a lifetime achievement award. 🎉🎉👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@jennadee6761]

Thank you all so much for the most amazing interview! It was such a calming experience watching a conversation between three of the most gentle, humble & compassionate men I’ve ever seen in the field of psychology. Forrest, I know you’re not a psychologist but goodness, someone get this man an honorary degree, would they? 😅 Tremendous gratitude to you all & especially Peter for his vulnerability and courage to speak on such a sensitive, deeply personal topic.

[@MiPo3333]

I was thinking the same. That's a video to demonstrate how men should be allowed to be.

[@KactusKM]

The same thoughts here too❤❤❤❤

[@sandramedina9482]

1- your history matters 2- you can’t change what happened but you can heal today 3- awareness of the traces in the body 4-the power of importance for creating safety 5-live by dying 💙

[@gwynethjones7323]

5 living my dying …returning to the child and hold the child

[@FlorinGN]

Amazing, only a few likes for an interview with one of the best authors and pioneers in psychotherapy.

[@heidiklessard8440]

"Real" men. Incredibly refreshing. ❤️

[@SacredDreamer]

😭😭😭 sending you much love and protection. Wishing i could change the world into a place of saftey and wellbeing forever

[@karenslaughing]

Thank you Rick for bringing up the neurodivergent challenges and traditional mindfulness teachings and therapy may be unskillful. - as a neurodivergent person with cptsd I often felt deep shame in both meditation retreats and in therapy that I couldn’t feel the way I perceived others felt. With more awareness of how large the neurodivergent population is I am hopeful therapists and meditation teachers will continue to deepen sensitivity and skillful means for neurodivergent people. Thank you both for your very meaningful and compassionate interviews 🙏🏽❤️

[@AdaAdi77]

Meditation and breathing are not for us and we are not at fault for not being able to do it while we get retraumatized when we try. There are many incompetent practitioners who blame the patients for their own lack of understanding of cPTSD. Please check out these modalities for some proper healing: brainspotting, neurofeedback (EEGer or LENS, preferably), lifespan integration, internal family systems. The best book ever (beautiful, sensitive): Sebern Fisher's Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Developmental Trauma.

[@sage8889]

Dr. Levine's 📚 are Absolutely Superb!

[@kidsmoked]

Peter, your life is a gift.

[@mariabuckley1749]

This is so wonderful, I'm very grateful 🙏 ❤

[@cherylpereeia1756]

For me who is studying Somatic psychology this was an awesome chat! Thank you both and also for Peter Levine for wearing his truth on his sleeve! ❤️❤️❤️

[@einmayim]

Great talk, interesting, sensitive, full of hope. Tx for all of you.

[@lizrohme2232]

Feeling so much after listening to this wonderful podcast. It is so personal and yet in a way it is all of our story. Thank you for your courage and your generous caring for others and yourselves.

[@belenlopezprecioso5776]

Deeply grateful from Spain. Beautiful souls... "your story matters" "the arch of the movement" "dignity" "tenderness". Thank you.

[@sharcla8351]

God has blessed you. You use that to bless humanity. Thank you dearly and forever.🦋

[@sheilasmith1109]

A wonderful Chiropractor told me about dr Lavine's book, "Waking The Tiger" years ago. He suggested it to me. I wanted to read it, but something prevented me... I now understand that I am ready! I'm so grateful for this interview and insight to my unrelenting physical pain that keeps returning. I believe that only I can heal this pain and that there is a teacher that I must look for because I'm READY for them to show up to help me!🙏❤😊

[@nataliatrumpo3893]

I’ve had this book for YEARS… and have never ready it?! I think I will now. I didn’t even know this is who wrote it!!? Knowing THIS is who wrote it; having a face and name… I can’t wait to revisit it.🙏🏻

[@alessandracm1921]

I am gonna buy his book. What a beautiful soul.❤

[@SallyImpossible]

This interview brought me to tears a few times. Thanks for the words of hope, that although the past has shaped us we're not set in stone and we can heal ourselves.

[@JKB-ji6xl]

When you are ready, a teacher will appear, or a few. Thank U!

[@meaghanswitzer888]

I am in continuous appreciation for your channel Forrest and Father (mentor,educator,therapist) Friends ❤

[@mjparent222]

this one is the most touching interview I have seen. Peter Levine is at his best ever. As always authentic, but now, relieved, freer, open to the truth, open to the passage of life, hugging his self with love, his little golden boy with loving arms. So touching, what a process. At 82, Peter is connecting to some part for healing. Peter is healed. To see this process happen in him, tells us that it is possible for us, very reassuring. That made me feel a lot of compassion for him, and also for myself, for all of the selves, parts, that needed love in times that it was maybe not possible or when I felt alone, abandoned, not worth it, not enough. Wow, Wow, Wow ! It takes patience. Sometimes, one micro-millimeter of progress per year ! But it is worth it. some notes for me as reminder : It will take some time to let the big swirls of all this to calm down, but thank you for that, thank you for you. So sad, that dear little boy Peter had to go through so much pain. Big hug to you. To put the past back in the past. It was horrible and it was then. Now the light is coming through the window, you are safe, you are ok. Archetype of Chiron from the Greek mythology, the wounded healer. (as another one great healer : Martha Beck, she is also a wounded healer, THE WAY OF INTEGRITY FINDING THE PATH TO YOUR TRUE SELF) In a way it make sense but also why, why does this happens ? for more consciousness ? to bring more benevolence ? kindness ? in this world ? Find the presence of that empathetic other inside that cares for us, I am here, I am here for you. To reconnect with that vital child. As our essence is healthy at its core. Follow my truth wherever it took me ! Voilà ! Some pride back, leaving the shame dissolve, completing the needs, developing my own personal sense of well-being. To be really warm, and receptive and curious, inviting, in a welcoming way. The qualities : tenderness, welcoming, receptivity, gentleness, Tenderness : it has something to do with opening something inside, like our heart space. Making space and our visceral space. Thank you so so so much for everything.

[@rockswings]

Learnt so much from this session, on so many different levels! Thank you all for your generosity to share freely!❤

[@wendy645]

Forrest, you run one of my favorite KZbin channels, and I've been wanting to learn more about this EXACT topic... this is fantastic! ❤

[@ForrestHanson]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@FlorenceRigneau]

Peter Levine would have been the unique therapist I would loved to had. His presence and authenticity and openness ❤. I'm particularly touched tonight because I'm currently writting my own story with my how-to's althought I've never dreamed of writing a book. But I think that it could help some people . Apart from this, I'm still waiting for my pre-ordered copy of Peter's last book...I'm sure it will come at the best moment for me.

[@annaynely]

Great contributions from doctor Levine to trauma. For me it stands out that I cannot find his early life biiography on wiki or the internet, nothing about his parents. Also stands out to me that having been born in the 40s, he always tells the story that his parents' got him a train that circulated from under his bed, ,& the magical experience this was for him comprehensively cuz it gave him the important message he was loved. So I deduct that he was not brought up in abject poverty. There are many ppl in the world that have 7 or more points on the ACE study & that is what truncates ppls lives. Congrats for your life Dr. Levine!

[@MiPo3333]

Your conversations are such a gift. And thanks for highlighting at the end the idea of basically finding the sense of self inside ourselves. Feels truly important to me right now.

[@janearnott4461]

This interview is above the best.. Peter Levine is a remarkable person who is out of this world. Thankyou for this extremely enlightening interview.

[@talitavermaak5214]

What a wonderful experience. So grateful. I have been trained in SE, changed my life and my practice. However, every time I am amazed and encouraged by the authenticity, gentleness, tenderness and willingness for healing ourselves and growing. It feels as if my words are so limiting, my body is rejuvenated with curiosity and gratefulness for this beautiful process all over again. Thanking Peter (so much!) and you guys too. Also honoring my teachers who were taught by Peter, Maggie Phillips, who completed her work here on earth, and Sonia Gomez. Greetings from Namibia. Be blessed.

[@vickie8105]

Thanks so much for having Dr. Peter Levine and Dr. Rick for the great and important talks. Looking forward to their talking again about the relationships between trauma and body.🙏

[@matangihealingbyjaya886]

My God what a treat to hear these calm and healing voices. Big fan of all three of your voices. In my personal experience the pitch of the voice becoming less and less shrill and vibratory is a sign of one’s nervous system healing from trauma. And deeper the voice become more healing it gets for the people around you.

[@sherricannon9407]

So grateful for the gift of this conversation🙏

[@joannahediger7820]

This was such a treasure trove of an interview! WOW! Thank you so much-all three of you!

[@antonvannelli9085]

Love to hear Dr Levine's personal experience with trauma. He speaks like someone who was worked through multiple levels on it on a personal basis. He is a brilliant man. To expand on the importance of the "experiencing" part of this topic, most of us actually never really feel our bodies through the correct pathways/activation systems. Have 20 people line up in a row and have them lunge or test a wall sit movement and maybe 10 will report they feel their leg muscles, some will feel their knees, and some wont feel anything. Of the ones who feel their knees, when you can resequence the correct muscles.. they likely no longer feel the knee at all. This disconnect from the body is rampant. Especially so in the neurodivergent population I have worked with. It is almost all of us, in one manner or another. I have never worked with one client in the past 6 years that had significant neuro disconnection (at a muscular level) issues that did not also have significant mental health issues as well. Restoring connectivity through these systems can have an incredibly powerful impact on the nervous system.

[@MellowWind]

What's really interesting about that looking away phenomena, even if we've learned to look right back, it's often already too late. The other person has interpreted it as rejection/disinterest, whatever - when it's just the sensitive person getting to a point where they can engage.

[@MsCrystalP1985]

What an amazing cocreation. Such a safe space❤️‍🩹🌱

[@anne-marie8607]

Thank you Dr. Levine for sharing your story and your strength and strategies to your healing journey! With Such respect and appreciation !!!!!!

[@annamarsch6091]

Wonderful converstaion. so much love in itand tenderness too. thank you very much. three genuine loving, caring people. just watching it gave me so much peace.

[@CoralBalmoral]

Lovely gentlemen and conversation. I feel very moved by your own sensitivity as you talk about gentleness seeming to be in such short supply currently (Forest's lovely Dad very heartwarming, thank you) 🙏💕 fascinating and compelling approach and work thank you, we can't separate our minds from our bodies, after all.

[@viviannimue]

So healing just to listen to such a wonderful man and healer. Peter is a blessing in this world

[@tiiaj7589]

I am really grateful that the question was posed on how this would look for people with autism and neurodiversity. I got my autism Dx 3 years ago at the age of 40. After 20+ years of different therapists/psychologists etc. and different types of Top Down therapies that didn't work, and failed treatments like ECT and rTMS I now also have therapy trauma. I did a little somatic experiencing type therapy at about the same time as my Dx which was timely, as my anxiety and disconnect was at a frantic and explosive point. It brought me down to a level that I could semi function again. Unfortunately we couldn't afford to continue the treatments past a few months, which were mainly in de-escalation, not even beginning to deal with all the multitude of trauma in my undiagnosed life to that point, never mind my siblings suicides etc. I do wish there was a little more on the autism angle here, although what Dr. Lavine says is extremely true, maybe especially for the "atypically" presentation of autism in (most) women (and some men). If I don't feel authenticity I will shut down. I literally can't converse anymore. And unfortunately, that was an extremely rare occurrence within my therapy experience. Feeling judged by your therapist is a terrible betrayal like sensation- how can anyone begin to feel safe in that? Right now, I am trying to make the exercises and suggestions in Dr. Lavine's books work for me. Although I may be more in touch with my body's sensations than some autistic people because of my personality type, life experiences and such, I still have a struggle on how to incorporate them with no guidance from someone who is experienced in these methods. My only thought is, since I am an empath type and have been told I'm good helping friends who struggle with mental health and trauma, that maybe I should just study it. It's that thought that has made going through so much "worth it", that I would have a greater capacity to understand and help other people know how to get through similar things, to have that "companionate, understanding other" that intuitively has always made sense to me. I still need to get myself up out of the collapse I am in rn, I'm afraid of even feeling good because my nervous system tells me that whenever I do, something bad WILL happen, no matter what my logical brain says otherwise. I think it would also help alleviate a lot of the fibro and arthritis issues I've developed, and clear this brain fog and memory loss. I sincerely (viscerally, if you will, lol) wish it was possible to meet Dr. Lavine. At the same time, as he said, he has done so much in this area of understanding how the body can not be left out of the equation when it comes to healing trauma and pain and really needs to be addressed long before the cognitive mind can engage and be incorporated into the healing process. It is a legacy to be proud of!

[@norafrancione4213]

True. In the manera of Bert Hellinger too, and adhering to Lao Tzu teachings : " El maestro aparece cuando el alumno está listo. Pero cuando el alumno está Realmente listo, el maestro desaparece". Thank you Dr. Levine and kind interviewers.

[@jude4247]

Absolutely beneficial information talked about today to my own life. Thank you all for being so open and engaging and sharing such vital information to allow each of us to understand and to heal. I cannot thank you all enough!

[@Toula1608]

So greatfull for sharing… its touched me so deeply…🥺

[@chayarneejan7994]

I have benefited greatly from Dr Levine's style of somatic healing with my guide. Talk therapy for the longest time didn't work for me. I feel somatic healing for me, is where I could feel safe, connected, securely attached to someone (my therapist) and that's really the magic sauce for me. Words can't express how grateful I am!

[@rochellebroglen4155]

I wish I could feel. My entire felt experience of my emotions is fear, shame, and anger. I can feel those (in varying intensities). I didn't know love was a felt experience until 4 or 5 years ago. How I knew I loved someone was that I would imagine them being gone. The thought of it would make me sad, so I knew they mattered to me. The other day, I had finished something I'd worked on for a while. It looked good. I knew I was excited and proud, but I couldn't feel a thing except the smile happening on my face. I could tune into that. I'm 51. I had no idea my childhood was traumatic until about 10 years ago, when I found a list of symptoms that described every character "flaw" I had. I actually experienced all 10 ACE's, plus a lot of other things like bullying, frequent moves, and toxic religion. For years, I couldn't even validate the impact it had on me. Even entertaining the notion that it had caused damage, or that what had happened to me shouldn't have, would trigger shame. It was so ingrained into me to not feel sorry for myself or to be "selfish". I do go to trauma therapy, and understand, from a cognitive level. But I don't know if I'll ever feel again. Thank you for this interview in the works that all of you do.

[@nancyd304]

May you find the practitioners/ methodologies to bring you total freedom. It's available. You might start with Irene Lyons on KZbin, she teaches a 360 degree approach that includes somatic practice. Totally needful 💖🙏🏻

[@AutumnxWindy]

♥️🙏thank you beautiful people.A very special and intimate and a inspiring episode

[@GavDuggan1983]

Thank you so much for this content, Forrest. It’s worth its weight in gold. Such wisdom and warmth that can help so many people 🙏

[@KactusKM]

Such a powerful interview with all three men - I am saving this video to watch more than once. I found myself almost meditative as I listened. Thank you. ❤

[@czestochowa519]

Thank you for this interview and for dr. Peters Levine openness. I am a trauma therapist who was raped in the past and the amount of shame that I carried with it was enormous. Hearing that he went through something so horrible and is now helping so many people makes me more hopeful, confident and less alone.

[@carolynmcnamara1793]

Thank you so much for explaining this process. Helpful and very enlightening.❤

[@senkasilov2090]

🙏🙏🙏 Thank you, Peter. ❤

[@marilynjones7203]

Wonderful people, wonderful interview , so helpful in becoming willing to face my own history of trauma honestly. Thank you Forrest, thank you Rick, that you Peter Levine.

[@woopwoop6316]

I Love this conversation ❤Thank you so much for all this reflektion ❤

[@peacefulisland67]

Yay, lads!! Thank you for bring Peter on! Looking forward to Peter's latest book. Keep up the beautiful, educational and fun work. I love you guys.

[@JennyBesserit]

Really great interview. I really enjoyed listening to it. There are so few Peter Levine interviews on KZbin, so this video is really valuable

[@ritaesp69]

I love Dr Levine❤

[@bst9551]

Thank you!

[@TowardsGrowth0]

thank you so much for this conversation

[@amandasymon4363]

My soul has been touched - thank you 🙏

[@alessandracm1921]

So happy with this conversation!

[@Sophia-yo9rp]

Brilliant interview. Thank you so much.

[@lanasawyer3128]

I’m very grateful for the information, although I have following many great teachers, I still have no idea, unless I have money! I don’t!!! To pay for somatic release. Any advice? ❤

[@deannarobinson4065]

An exceedingly enjoyable conversation between three amazing Human Beings. Many thanks and Namaste to each of you!

[@myrhythm7522]

ooooh excited for this!! thank you

[@CrystalWarnock]

Really enjoyed the video and alot resonated with me, especially the abandonment wound being primal.

[@sharonescriu5682]

This was amazing thank you ❤❤❤❤❤❤ 😢feeling more seen than ever before

[@thetruth3325]

Great video and content.

[@ramanamadduri6669]

Great awareness...! If he can throw some light on heart palpitations (unpleasant awareness of our own heart beat) feels like it's also one kind of trauma. If it is addressed will be great ful to you . Thanks and Regards 🙏

[@Mushroom321-]

It was a wonderful interview!!, all of you guys were a great group. ! There was so much to learn ! 😀

[@lmansur1000]

This was truly an amazing episode and so very helpful on so many levels. The 3 of you did such a wonderful job - it is heartwarming and healing just to listen to you and go through this conversation. Thank you so very much!! 💖

[@RoadTrip-bc2ps]

Thank you so much for another inspiring conversation with this wonderful person. He is the real deal, your father is right. Question: How about the experience of "the bad" in human beings during trauma? Can the experience be separated from "normal life"? Can the person just heal him/herself best at home or the therapists office and then the world is happy? The child which developed shame due to the condititons in the family will have a specific feedback at school. And that will not be love and happiness. Children can be pretty cruel, as we all know. But in general society likes strong persons, stable, winners, success. That means the traumatised person has a good chance to get more negative feedback instead of the needed shelter. In the opposite "healthy" people are wanted, acknowledged, get more nourishment. And that is everyday life. For me the approach is often to isolated from this reality. What I mean is that human condition is in a way pretty tough: We perpetuate trauma all together in a way. We are not islands which can heal themselves without the others. I hope it makes sense to you and maybe the task is an inspiration.

[@MariEilf]

This was really good. Thank you all.

[@wellnesstree]

So excited for this guest and podcast ✨

[@RemyNas24]

Great guest 👌

[@tdetrik4705]

Really wonderful

[@evad15]

omg all of you are such beautiful people!

[@lanasawyer3128]

I’m not safe now! How do I feel safe? Pre- verbal to puberty, sexual assault was my beginning, still happens, just different perpetrators 😢..can you please explain how to get the somatic safety healing? 🥰

[@ivandejour9806]

Needed to hear this❤

[@dorishaus400]

Thank you so much

[@Lee-255]

Thank you 💖

[@lanasawyer3128]

This is all great, but HOW? Do I do any of this without money or finding the right therapist? Because I can’t find any self safety? 😢

[@jo1681]

Can I request on how to live your life after healing trauma? I just finished EMDR for all my major traumas and I don’t have a strong idea of what to do with my life or what normal is.

[@hshfyugaewfjkKS]

Congrats on working to heal. I would say life is a blank slate for you now. What would bring you joy? If you're not sure then what gives you a sense of curiosity to explore? What identity can you create beyond being a trauma survivor? Do you want to travel? Explore painting? Volunteer at an elder care home? Take a French class? Have a pet if you never have (amazing sources of unconditional love!) Who do YOU want to be outside of your past? ❤ There is no normal or required way to live. There is only what you want to experience and create.

[@mjparent222]

@@hshfyugaewfjkKS what would bring joy ? is the great question !

[@peacefulisland67]

And actually, over the last decade or so, I've come to know the reality of changing my past. The hard data remains the same but the interpretation of it is ever evolving. It's gone from being a useless mess of half-century suffering and ignorance, of victimization, rejection, deep abandonment and nearly complete loss of self, to a life full of experience and deep knowing of what suffering is and what it can create, including redemption and intimacy with a slight reorganization of orientation. Hope. Faith. Others held space for me until I could believe by way of witnessing first hand, the same way I witnessed the cruelties, the more loving and truer ways of relating and living. Did I change the bare bones of my past? No. But everything built upon those bones has taken on a far different texture and allowed for a much wider knowing of the meaning of everything. As a foundational stone in the recovery of others, every tear shed and moment of aloneness was part of the future of healing for more than myself. Talk about joy. 💖

[@sidilidili]

I just started listen and I understood your name was Handsome and I thought that was so cute 🙏

[@artynegelen786]

This going to be wonderful 🥰

[@anneliesebartonik5501]

Please could someone explain or help me with the information that can help me get out of a nervous system that is stuck in Trauma. I am divorced but the control drama causes PTSD and still triggers me back to my past. How can I reset my nervous system into safety?

[@Mushroom321-]

Id love the book !! 😯🤔😀

[@peggygarcia1131]

19:06 shame strangulation

[@Carlcorlies]

\how about plain vocabulary! I know I was destined for my toxic shame self disdain and PTSD. etc. growing into adulthood Everything you say makes sense because I now after 45 yrs I get it the knowledge and vocabulary gives presence and being exactly where I am supposed to be. Control back after rationalizing I understand the dark experience is someone else's story not mine... I have grown out of the that history.. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\this video is amazing.. Thank you Dr.Levine for your courage and selfless contribution to to us all...

[@rebeccaclark6571]

Being stuck, and holding ourselves hostage. 😢

[@ashleypresley]

Did he say Green Gulch meditation center in Marin?

[@ForrestHanson]

Green Gulch Farm through the SF Zen Center, yeah