A profound new approach to healing trauma, grounded in a radical reframing of how we understand this nearly universal experienceFor centuries, weve been taught that being traumatized means we are somehow broken―and that trauma only happens to people who are too fragile or flawed to deal with hardship. But as a researcher, teacher, and survivor, Dr. MaryCatherine McDonald has learned that the only thing broken is our societys understanding of trauma. “The bodys trauma response is designed to save our lives―and it does,” she says. “Its not a sign of weakness, but of our function, strength, and amazing resilience.”With Unbroken: The Trauma Response Is Never Wrong, Dr. McDonald overturns the misconceptions about trauma with the latest evidence from neuroscience and psychology―and shares tested practices and tools to help you work with your bodys coping mechanisms to accelerate healing. Here, youll explore: • What is trauma? The latest science that undoes the stigmas of shame, blame, and humiliation• Moral injury―having our basic sense of how the world should work overturned• The truth about triggers―what they really are and how they can guide the healing journey• Traumatic patterns―new findings to help break free from recurring habits and toxic dynamics• Why we can always rewrite our inner narratives, no matter how much time has passed • Finding a “relational home” for trauma―how we can help each other return to wholenessDr. McDonalds case studies reveal the many ways trauma can manifest and persist in our lives, yet theres one factor every case has in common: the trauma response itself reveals the path to healing. “Our traumatic experiences reveal that we can be bent, dented, or bruised,” she says, “but we cannot be broken.” For anyone who has gone through trauma or wants to help others who are struggling, here is an empowering resource for finding our way home to our bodies, rebuilding our relationships, and returning to full engagement with life.
In her book "Unbroken: The Trauma Response Is Never Wrong", MaryCatherine McDonald offers a groundbreaking approach to understanding and healing from trauma, challenging the traditional view that trauma is a disorder that needs to be fixed.
Drawing on her own experience as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and her work as a trauma therapist, McDonald argues that trauma is not a sign of weakness or pathology, but a natural and adaptive response to overwhelming stress.
Rather than trying to suppress or control our trauma responses, McDonald encourages us to embrace them as a source of wisdom and guidance. She provides practical tools and strategies for working with our trauma in a way that promotes healing and empowerment.
McDonald also addresses the common misconceptions and misunderstandings about trauma, such as the belief that it is a lifelong sentence or that it can only be healed through medication or therapy. She emphasizes that trauma is a temporary state that can be overcome, and that healing is possible for everyone.
"Unbroken: The Trauma Response Is Never Wrong" is a powerful and inspiring book that offers a new perspective on trauma and provides hope for healing. It is a must-read for anyone who has experienced trauma, as well as for those who work with trauma survivors.
