Is the most famous book on trauma actually built on shaky scientific foundations?
In short: Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score has spent hundreds of weeks on bestseller lists, reshaping how the public understands trauma. Yet, many scientists argue the psychiatrist’s work relies on pseudoscientific concepts, misrepresents research, and promotes ineffective therapies, sparking a fierce debate over his influence on mental health.
Born in the Netherlands in 1943, Bessel van der Kolk became a prominent figure in psychiatry, focusing on post-traumatic stress since the 1970s. He held leadership roles in organizations like the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and helped establish the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. His 2014 book, The Body Keeps the Score, popularized the idea that trauma is physically stored in the body and introduced the concept of Developmental Trauma Disorder, which remains unrecognized by the DSM.
Despite its massive public success—with translations in 43 languages and a long-standing presence on bestseller lists—the book faces intense scrutiny from the scientific community. Critics, including psychologist Richard McNally, have described van der Kolk’s theories as conceptually flawed. Academic reviews and journalists have pointed out that the book frequently cites uncertain science, such as the triune brain model and polyvagal theory, while ignoring evidence-based treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy. Some researchers whose work is cited in the book have even claimed their findings were distorted.
The controversy extends to the therapeutic methods van der Kolk advocates. Throughout his career, he has explored unconventional treatments ranging from yoga and neurofeedback to psychedelic therapies. In the 1990s, he was a vocal proponent of recovered memory therapy, a practice that has been heavily criticized as catastrophic for the mental health field. While van der Kolk continues to see patients and maintains a significant influence in health circles—even appearing on Time’s 2024 list of influential people—the divide between his public popularity and his standing among many clinicians remains stark.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Bessel van der Kolk
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-bessel-van-der-kolk.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Communication · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
