Our Book: Reclaiming Life After Trauma
Healing PTSD with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Yoga
Reclaiming Life after Trauma, an Amazon Best-Seller, provides easily learned, simple yet powerful self-help tools that address both the physical and psychological expressions of PTSD. Written in simple, layperson's language the book:
- Combines cutting-edge Western cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and ancient Eastern wisdom
- Teaches Kundalini yoga practices specifically designed to reset parts of the brain and body affected by PTSD
- Presents a fast-acting, evidence-based and drug-free program for eliminating PTSD symptoms and restoring health, vitality, and joy
Drawing on our many years of clinical work and experience administering the successful Integrative Trauma Recovery Program, our book is a step-by-step guide to recovery that enables readers to comprehend PTSD as a mind-body disorder from which we can use our own minds and bodies to recover.
Also Available From: Inner Traditions
Table Of Contents
Introduction: An overview of post-traumatic suffering and its presence in the lives of millions of people - currently about 7% of the US population. We trace evidence of PTSD in the written record of human history starting 3000 years ago.
- Roots of the Problem: An examination of the way in which trauma triggers the physical and psychological symptoms of PTSD.
- Embodied Stress: We take readers through current research on the physical manifestations of PTSD, including impacts on immune function and on physical structure down to the molecular level.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy: An overview of this powerful healing modality which itself has roots in the earliest days of our species.
- The Hidden Wisdom of Symptoms: A reassessment of physical and psychological symptoms that sees these not simply as problems or pathology but as pointers towards our hidden strengths, resources and core values.
- Rewire Your Brain: A step-by-step presentation of 25 powerful CBT tools to change the structure and function of the brain.
- Belief: The Heart of the Matter: An examination of the role of belief [about ourselves, others and the world] in the development of PTSD and in its healing.
- Yoga: Embodied Wellness: Cutting-edge research on the ways in which yoga is helping heal trauma symptoms and yoga therapy tools anyone can immediately put to use in their own life.
- Sleep Well: CBT and yoga therapy protocols for reestablishing sound, restful sleep.
- The Road Forward: Encouraging words and additional research data to keep your feet, heart, body and mind on the path of healing going forward.
About The Authors
Daniel Mintie, LCSW is a cognitive-behavioral therapist, researcher and writer who has been healing trauma since 1990. He is in private practice in Taos, New Mexico USA, and is available via the internet for off-site therapy and professional consultation worldwide. Daniel leads the cognitive-behavioral therapy portion of the biannual Integrative Trauma Recovery retreat and teaches CBT at universities and training centers worldwide.
Julie K. Staples, Ph.D., received a doctorate in Cell and Molecular Biology at St. Louis University. She is the Research Director at the Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, D.C. and adjunct assistant professor at Georgetown University School of Medicine. She has been a certified Kundalini Yoga teacher since 1996. Julie teaches online courses on the basics of research and the science of yoga to health care practitioners, yoga teachers, and yoga therapists. She leads the yoga portion of the Integrative Trauma Recovery retreat.
Review of Reclaiming Life after Trauma and Retreat in Taos News
Local publication the Taos News reviewed Daniel and Julie's book "Reclaiming Life after Trauma" and spoke with the authors about their research. The interview delves into the role CBT plays in providing tools to change negative belief systems and the physical components of trauma and PTSD and how they can be addressed through yoga and meditation. You can read the full article on the Taos News website.
Yoga Therapy Today Review of Reclaiming Life after Trauma
Originally published in Yoga Therapy Today, a publication of the International Association of Yoga Therapists. Reprinted with permission.
Praise for Reclaiming Life after Trauma
"This book provides a comprehensive set of practice recommendations...that has high potential for alleviating PTSD."
Although there is a strong psychological component of PTSD. . . this is actually a mind-body condition and not simply a psychological one. Yoga provides an ideal mix of mind-body techniques and growing research is supporting its efficacy for PTSD. This book provides a comprehensive set of practice recommendations, including both CBT and yoga, presented in a cohesive text that has high potential for alleviating PTSD and its symptoms by addressing its underlying mind-body pathophysiology.
Sat Bir Singh Khalsa, PhD
Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Coeditor of The Principles and Practice of Yoga in Health Care
"I will be recommending this book to my patients."
Reclaiming Life after Trauma is an important and valuable resource for anyone who has experienced trauma as well as for their loved ones and providers. The comprehensive and flexible approach ensures that all aspects of the individual are addressed - mind, body and soul. I will be recommending this book to my patients.
Matthew May, MD
Adjunct Clinical Faculty Department of Psychiatry, Stanford University
"A most significant contribution to the field of integrative healthcare and trauma treatment."
Reclaiming Life after Trauma combines cognitive behavioral therapy and yoga therapy. The authors show how frameworks from Western and Eastern systems can be integrated to inform a powerful biopsychosocial approach to the management of trauma. The book is theoretically grounded yet contains many practical tools and techniques that can readily be applied by the reader. A most significant contribution to the field of integrative healthcare and trauma treatment.
Laura Schmalzl, PhD
Associate Professor, Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU)
Editor In Chief, International Journal of Yoga Therapy (IJYT)
"Reclaiming Life after Trauma is destined to become a classic in the field of trauma treatment."
Reclaiming Life after Trauma is a phenomenal work. It explains PTSD in a straightforward, understandable yet thorough way. More importantly, Mintie and Staples offer practical strategies for overcoming trauma symptoms. The book validates the pervasive consequences of trauma on the mind and the body, contains stories of patients we can relate to, and conveys hope that we can reverse many of trauma’s effects. The inclusion of yoga therapy addresses the crucial physical aspects of this complex disorder. Reclaiming Life after Trauma is destined to become a classic in the field of trauma treatment.
Jacob Towery, MD
Adjunct Clinical Faculty, Stanford University School of Medicine
Author of The Anti-Depressant Book: A Practical Guide for Teens and Young Adults to Overcome Depression and Stay Healthy
Additional Praise
"A valuable and inspiring contribution to the treatment of post-traumatic stress that pains and limits so many of us. Well researched, clearly written, and practical."
James S. Gordon, MD
Founder and Executive Director of The Center for Mind-Body Medicine
Author of Unstuck: Your Guide to the Seven-Stage Journey Out of Depression
"Reclaiming Life After Trauma skillfully shows us that no matter what the source of the trauma, post-traumatic growth and full recovery are within reach."
To recover from trauma is to awaken the seed of resilience inherent within each of us and to stabilize our renewed inner experience with supportive habits into a new way of being. The practice of yoga and meditation with cognitive behavioral therapy form an effective partnership to engage the physiological and structural aspects of the body and identify thought patterns that keep us in the past. Reclaiming Life After Trauma skillfully shows us that no matter what the source of the trauma, post-traumatic growth and full recovery are within reach.
"A well-timed book, I can confidently affirm that it will have a remarkable positive impact on people’s lives."
In this brilliantly presented book on the most debilitating health issues of the 21st century: trauma and PTSD, the authors share their knowledge and valuable expertise of CBT and yoga with the reader. Reclaiming Life after Trauma is a road map to rewiring the brain and embodying wellness. The reader is walked through in a detailed step-by step manner towards improvement and healing. The singularity of this book is the illustration of each step by authentic cases as encountered in the authors’ practice and with whom the reader could identify and benefit from the healing approaches. A well-timed book, I can confidently affirm that it will have a remarkable positive impact on people’s lives.
Shanti Shanti Kaur Khalsa, PhD
Director International Kundalini Yoga Therapy Professional Training
Hakima Amri, PhD
Professor of Biochemistry and Physiology and Director of the Integrative Medicine Graduate Program, Georgetown University
Author of Avicenna's Medicine: A New Translation of the 11th-Century Canon with Practical Applications for Integrative Health Care
"Well-referenced yet easily understood, this is important information to be shared with professionals and lay people alike."
Integrating cognitive behavioral therapy with Kundalini Yoga, authors Minte and Staples weave the wisdom of both disciplines to effectively reduce suffering present with trauma. Practical strategies engage the reader to increase his or her awareness of maladaptive thinking patterns and create impact on his or her own pain patterns. Breath work and go-to steps encourages participation. Case studies illustrate the process of change including stumbling blocks met along the way. Well referenced yet easily understood, this is important information to be shared with professionals and lay people alike.
"Whether you are aware of your emotional limitations or suffer from established PTSD, this book is an important guide for your path to a vibrant and full life."
All of us have experienced trauma in our lives and some of it limits our ability to enjoy life to its fullest potential. Reclaiming Life after Trauma presents a host of proven Western and Eastern approaches that are explained in easy-to-understand language and backed by well-referenced science and decades of experience by the authors. Whether you are aware of your emotional limitations or suffer from established PTSD, this book is an important guide for your path to a vibrant and full life.
Judith Pentz, MD
Integrative Psychiatrist
Assistant Professor Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of New Mexico
Leonard A. Wisneski, MD, FACP
Clinical Professor of Medicine, George Washington University
Author of The Scientific Basis of Integrative Health
"In this wise and compassionate book, the authors offer a clear, practical, step-by-step guide for those with PTSD who wish to find a path to joy, hope, and freedom from suffering."
In this wise and compassionate book, the authors offer a clear, practical, step-by-step guide for those with PTSD who wish to find a path to joy, hope, and freedom from suffering. Grounded in research based on their wealth of professional experience and integrating key tenets, strategies, and principles from both cognitive behavioral therapy and Kundalini Yoga, their innovative program includes a range of simple but powerful tools which can be used either at home or in a therapeutic setting. Although specifically designed for those who have experienced trauma, this program would be beneficial to anyone seeking to lead a more joyful, peaceful, and fulfilling life. The book is also a wonderful read, eloquently written and deftly interwoven with compelling stories of men and women who have used the tools of this program to transform their lives.
Kim Innes, MSPH, PhD
Associate Professor, West Virginia University School of Public Health