The Autobiography of Trauma

In this autobiographical book, Peter A. Levine—the man who transformed the way psychologists, doctors, and therapists understand and treat trauma and abuse—shares his personal journey toward healing deep childhood trauma and the pivotal steps that led to the creation of the Somatic Experiencing (SE) method.

Presenting himself as a modern-day Chiron, the wounded healer of Greek mythology, Levine vividly recounts the violence of his early years alongside moments of joy, and how his work through SE enabled him to illuminate and untangle his traumatic experiences. He also shares the mysterious and unexpected dreams and visions that guided his life’s work, including dreamlike “visits” from Albert Einstein, whom he regards as a personal spiritual guide and mentor.

Explaining how he helped thousands of others before resolving his own trauma, Levine reveals how the SE method emerged from his studies of wild animals in their natural environments, neuroscience, and more than 50 years of clinical observation. He teaches us that every person who suffers from trauma carries a valuable story—and that by telling our stories, we can restore hope, dignity, and a sense of wholeness.