My purpose on this site is to share with you understanding that can lift us out of what feels like dark destiny, but in fact is the black hole of trauma.

This hole results from tears in the fabric of our beautiful multidimensional tapestry.

The wholist perspective, which I introduce to you, describes and makes sense of the various tears, frayed edges, and holes trauma causes in individuals, communities, and generations, from instincts to morals and existential meanings. I use the term ‘wholist perspective’ because this term includes holistic (biopsychosocial) and whole, meaning multidimensional views.

Apart from understanding the consequences of stress and trauma, the wholist perspective reveals understanding of the strivings and thrivings, the joys and fulfillments in the trajectories of  normal lives.

Finally, I examine in some ways the most difficult but potent conundrum: the violence that tears the fabric of self and society.

The wholist perspective is introduced in the film, survival strategies table, and seminar series in the Traumatic Stress Framework section. Other pages in the section examine the framework from different angles. Subsequent sections examine various traumatic situations, and include healing and the price healers must pay. I am fond of the section on philosophy in which I apply lessons from prior sections to the wider human condition.

I would like to draw your attention my books: Child Survivors of the Holocaust examines ten children who had experienced the Holocaust at different ages and in various circumstances. I describe the consequences of their experiences on their health, memories, and adjustments over their lifetimes. From Survival to Fulfillment is a traumatology book, which describes the wholist perspective in detail. Trauma and Fulfillment Therapy applies the concepts to healing. In Two Minds demonstrates the healing of traumas through stories, including my own. Finally, my most recent book, Heart of Violence; Why People Harm Each Other, examines the roots of violence from bullying to genocide. It is a pioneering work in what I call violentology. Order the book here.

I use as little jargon as possible in all my books.

In some posts I add a few little stories for light relief.

Welcome to all.

Paul Valent