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The body remembers what the mind forgets.”

Babette Rothschild’s The Body Remembers is a cornerstone text in the study of trauma, bridging neuroscience, psychology, and clinical practice. It addresses one of the most pressing insights of modern trauma research: experiences of overwhelming stress and abuse are not only stored in memory but are held physically in the body, often outside conscious awareness.

Rothschild, a psychotherapist with decades of experience, brings clarity to a subject that can easily feel overwhelming. She explains how the nervous system encodes trauma, why symptoms such as flashbacks or dissociation occur, and how healing must involve more than talking through the past.

Lessons from The Body Remembers

1. Trauma is stored in the nervous system

Trauma imprints itself not only on memory but also on the body’s physiological responses. Elevated heart rate, hypervigilance, and sudden panic are signs of a nervous system stuck in survival mode. Understanding this helps explain why trauma survivors often feel hijacked by their own bodies.

2. The body tells the truth, even when the mind denies

While the conscious mind may repress or minimize events, the body continues to react as though danger is present. This creates a split between body and mind that contributes to long-term distress.

3. Safety is the first step in healing

Rothschild stresses the importance of creating a sense of safety before attempting to recall traumatic memories. Pushing too quickly into re-experiencing can retraumatize rather than heal. Gentle pacing and grounding techniques are essential.

4. Body awareness is a pathway to recovery

Simple practices like noticing breathing, posture, or muscle tension allow survivors to reconnect with their physical selves. By tuning into bodily sensations, clients begin to regain control over reactions that once felt automatic.

5. Trauma treatment requires both memory and physiology

Talk therapy alone may not resolve trauma because the body continues to hold unprocessed energy. Effective recovery integrates cognitive understanding with somatic regulation, creating space for both mind and body to heal together.

6. Therapists must regulate themselves as well

Rothschild underscores the need for therapists to remain grounded in their own bodies. When a therapist stays calm, steady, and attuned, clients are better able to find stability and safety.