Bessel van der Kolk is a world-renowned author, researcher, and psychiatrist who has devoted his career to understanding and treating trauma. He is most widely known for his groundbreaking book The Body Keeps the Score, which has earned critical acclaim and become a staple in the field of psychology.

After graduating from medical school at the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands, Dr. van der Kolk moved to the United States, where he completed his psychiatric residency at the Massachusetts Mental Health Center. He went on to serve as the founding director of the Trauma Center in Boston, a world-renowned treatment facility that specializes in helping children and adults who have experienced traumatic events.

Throughout his career, Dr. van der Kolk has pushed the boundaries of traditional psychiatric practice, exploring unconventional therapies like yoga, neurofeedback, and EMDR. He is a vocal advocate for alternative care methods and has worked tirelessly to incorporate these treatments into mainstream mental health care.

In addition to his work at the Trauma Center, Dr. van der Kolk is an active researcher and writer. He has published over 150 scientific articles and authored several books, including Traumatic Stress: The Effects of Overwhelming Experience on Mind, Body, and Society and The Body Keeps the Score.

Dr. van der Kolk's work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the Award for Leadership in Mind-Body Medicine from the National Foundation for Integrative Medicine.

Despite his many accomplishments, Dr. van der Kolk remains dedicated to his patients and his work. He continues to see patients at the Trauma Center and is committed to improving the lives of those affected by trauma through research, advocacy, and innovative new therapies.