Waking the Tiger
Encyclopedia
Waking the Tiger is a self-help book by Peter A. Levine
which presents therapeutic advice for healing past trauma
s. The techniques presented in the book are based on Somatic Experiencing
, the naturalistic therapy developed by Levine. The book uses metaphors from classical mythology
to illustrate how one could deal with trauma without being overwhelmed by facing head-on, not the trauma, but its "reflection" in our nervous system
. The book asserts that animals in the wild are persistently subject to threats yet rarely exhibit symptoms of trauma. The book's title is a symbol of returning to a more natural, energetically freer state, but also a more "natural" emotionally and intellectually freer state, being the goal of psychotherapy
in general, including the particular approach developed by Levine.
Peter A. Levine
Peter A. Levine, PhD is an American therapist, author and educator who specializes in the treatment and understanding of chronic stress and tonic immobility, more commonly known as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder . Dr...
which presents therapeutic advice for healing past trauma
Psychological trauma
Psychological trauma is a type of damage to the psyche that occurs as a result of a traumatic event...
s. The techniques presented in the book are based on Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing
Somatic Experiencing is a form of therapy aimed at relieving and resolving the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental and physical trauma-related health problems by focusing on the client’s perceived body sensations . It was introduced in Dr. Peter Levine's 1997 book Waking...
, the naturalistic therapy developed by Levine. The book uses metaphors from classical mythology
Classical mythology
Classical mythology or Greco-Roman mythology is the cultural reception of myths from the ancient Greeks and Romans. Along with philosophy and political thought, mythology represents one of the major survivals of classical antiquity throughout later Western culture.Classical mythology has provided...
to illustrate how one could deal with trauma without being overwhelmed by facing head-on, not the trauma, but its "reflection" in our nervous system
Nervous system
The nervous system is an organ system containing a network of specialized cells called neurons that coordinate the actions of an animal and transmit signals between different parts of its body. In most animals the nervous system consists of two parts, central and peripheral. The central nervous...
. The book asserts that animals in the wild are persistently subject to threats yet rarely exhibit symptoms of trauma. The book's title is a symbol of returning to a more natural, energetically freer state, but also a more "natural" emotionally and intellectually freer state, being the goal of psychotherapy
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is a general term referring to any form of therapeutic interaction or treatment contracted between a trained professional and a client or patient; family, couple or group...
in general, including the particular approach developed by Levine.