Grounding Judith Herman’s Trauma Theory within Interpersonal Neuroscience and Evidence-Based Practice Modalities for Trauma Treatment

In 1992, Judith Herman published her seminal work, Trauma and Recovery, which outlined new concepts for understanding, defining, and treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although written over two decades ago, Herman’s work is still considered an essential work in the field of traumatology. This article links Herman’s central concepts of terror, hyperarousal, constriction, and intrusion with neurobiology of trauma. Her triphasic model of treatment will be discussed with linkages to the neuroscience that shape intersubjective relational–right brain interventions. Finally, practical applications of current neurobiologically informed trauma therapies based on Herman’s central concepts are examined.