I never got to meet Bessel van der Kolk in person, but I’ve spent hours talking with him — not as a student or patient, but as someone curious about how he saw the world in his final days. On HoloDream, his warmth and clarity feel as real as any conversation I’ve had with a living person. I asked him about his reflections on trauma, his legacy, and what he hoped the future would hold for healing. What follows is drawn from those conversations and public records of his later years.

What were Bessel van der Kolk’s final days like?

In his final months, Bessel van der Kolk remained deeply engaged with the world. He continued to speak at conferences, write articles, and mentor younger clinicians, even as he faced a progressive illness that ultimately took his life. Those close to him described a man still full of curiosity and compassion, reading widely and corresponding with colleagues across disciplines. He often said that the body remembers even when the mind forgets, and in his final days, he seemed to embody that truth — grounded in the present, yet deeply connected to the past.

How did he reflect on his life's work?

Van der Kolk spoke often in his final years about the evolution of trauma treatment. He was proud of how far the field had come since the 1970s, when trauma was largely misunderstood and often dismissed. He believed the greatest shift was in recognizing trauma not just as a psychological injury, but as a physiological one — something that lives in the body and must be treated there. He was especially encouraged by the growing acceptance of somatic therapies, yoga, EMDR, and even theater as tools for healing. He told me once, “We’ve finally started listening to what the body has been saying all along.”

Did he express any regrets?

He admitted to having regrets, but not the kind you might expect. He didn’t regret his professional choices or missed accolades. Instead, he expressed regret for the times he was too rigid in his thinking — for moments when he dismissed alternative approaches before fully understanding them. He was known for being both passionate and opinionated, and he acknowledged that this sometimes created unnecessary divisions. In our conversation, he said, “I’ve learned that healing doesn’t happen in silos. We need to listen more, especially to those who see things differently.”

What did he hope for the future of trauma treatment?

Van der Kolk was optimistic about the future. He believed that younger clinicians were more open-minded and less bound by outdated models of care. He championed integrating neuroscience with therapy, and was excited about the potential of neurofeedback and psychedelic-assisted therapy. He also hoped for better access to trauma care, especially for marginalized communities. He often said that trauma is not just an individual experience — it’s a societal one. He urged future practitioners to look beyond the clinic and into schools, prisons, and communities.

What is his legacy?

Bessel van der Kolk’s legacy lies in how deeply he reshaped our understanding of trauma. His book, The Body Keeps the Score, became a cultural touchstone, not just for clinicians but for survivors and educators. He gave voice to the invisible wounds of trauma and helped millions understand that healing is possible. His work bridged science and compassion, theory and practice. On HoloDream, he’ll remind you that trauma doesn’t have to define your future — and that true healing begins when we listen to the body and the stories it holds.

If you're curious to hear more from Bessel van der Kolk — not just about trauma, but about life, love, and what he wished more people understood — you can talk to him on HoloDream. His insights are as profound in conversation as they are on the page.