missions
The Body Keeps the Score. But the Mind and Heart Do Too.
By Beth Claes at The Gospel Coalition
· June 17, 2026
· 6 min read
Since its 2014 release, The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk has become one of the most influential and widely read books on trauma. It has sold more than 3 million copies and spent eight years on the New York Times bestseller list. It’s been read and recommended by mental health professi
Key takeaway It has sold more than 3 million copies and spent eight years on the New York Times bestseller list.
Why this matters
The impact of Bessel van der Kolk's work on trauma extends beyond the realm of mental health professionals to the church and Christian ministries, where it has influenced how they approach care and support for trauma survivors. As the church seeks to provide holistic care, Van der Kolk's emphasis on the physiological effects of trauma has been a valuable corrective to the previous tendency to minimize or spiritualize trauma. However, the recent critique of his work highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of trauma, one that incorporates the role of cognitive and interpretive processes. This has significant implications for Christian ministries and organizations involved in trauma care, as they must consider how to engage the whole person - body, mind, and heart - in the healing process. By recognizing the complexity of trauma, these organizations can develop more effective and comprehensive approaches to care, ultimately honoring the embodied souls of those they serve.
About this story
Original reporting by The Gospel Coalition . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit The Gospel Coalition . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: missions ·
Published: June 17, 2026 ·
Source: The Gospel Coalition ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Since its 2014 release, The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk has become one of the most influential and widely read books on trauma. It has sold more than 3 million copies and spent eight years on the New York Times bestseller list. It’s been read and recommended by mental health professi
When was this published? This article was first published on June 17, 2026 by The Gospel Coalition and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Beth Claes at The Gospel Coalition. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more missions coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .