In an Unspoken Voice by Peter A. Levine

Discover the body’s innate power to heal from trauma—the classic, life-changing guide to trauma recovery from the creator of Somatic Experiencing® (SE)

Unraveling trauma in body, brain, and spirit—a revolution in treatment and beloved global bestseller

In In an Unspoken Voice, renowned trauma expert Peter A. Levine, PhD, reveals how the body holds the key to recovering from complex trauma and experiences that overwhelm our nervous systems, from adverse childhood experiences to PTSD . Drawing on decades of clinical practice, personal stories, case studies, and trauma science, Dr. Levine shows that trauma can be healed—if we can learn to listen to our bodies’ innate, unspoken wisdom.

Through vivid accounts—from his own near-fatal accident to the journeys of clients grappling with their own traumas and scars—you’ll learn how our nervous systems respond to threat; why trauma can leave us “stuck” in fear and numbness; and, most importantly, how to restore resilience and heal toward empowered, mind-body wholeness. This book explains:

How shaking, trembling, and instinctive movements are essential embodied responses—and can help us release trauma safely and effectively
The biological “map” of flight, flight, freeze, and collapse—and how to break free from paralyzing experiences of fear and trauma
Practical steps and evidence-based exercises to help you gently discharge survival energy
How to reawaken your natural capacity for self-regulation
The SIBAM—Sensation, Image, Behavior, Affect, and Meaning—model for integrating fragmented experiences
Real-life wisdom and insights from case studies of survivors
In an Unspoken Voice is a compassionate, deeply human, and revelatory look at trauma and what it takes to heal—and shows you that you already have the embodied tools and wisdom to do so.