During Self-Care Month in September, many people are reminded to manage stress, meditate, and exercise. Yet, despite these efforts, some individuals find themselves repeating the same emotional or behavioral patterns. Judith A. Swack, Ph.D., author of "Clear Trauma Now: The Powerful Solution for Getting Unstuck," suggests that the root cause may be unconscious trauma that remains lodged in the body.
According to Dr. Swack, trauma imprints not only in the mind but also in the body, creating patterns that persist even when a person understands their triggers and desires change. "Until trauma is cleared at the body level, it keeps repeating and you keep reacting," she explains. "That's why you can understand your trauma, and still feel stuck in it."
Dr. Swack, a biochemist and immunologist, developed the Healing from the Body Level Up (HBLU™) methodology, which aims to clear trauma at multiple levels: conscious, unconscious, body, and soul. Her approach is based on original research into the structure of trauma, revealing that it is layered in ways that standard talk therapy often fails to address.
The implications of this perspective are significant. If trauma is stored in the body, then cognitive insights alone may be insufficient for lasting change. This could explain why many people experience emotional and physical reactions even in safe environments, and why self-sabotage persists despite good intentions. Dr. Swack's work suggests that effective self-care may need to include techniques that directly engage the body's memory of trauma.
Her recently published book, "Clear Trauma Now," was named the 2026 Silver Medal Winner for Grief Books by the Coalition of Visionary Resources (COVR). The book details practices from HBLU™, which has been used to help individuals who have not found success with traditional approaches.
For those interested in exploring this deeper form of self-care, Dr. Swack is hosting a "Clear Trauma Now Live Healing" webinar series on Thursday evenings in September. The sessions, running from 7 to 9 p.m. EDT on September 3, and 7 to 8:30 p.m. EDT on September 10, 17, and 24, offer participants a chance to witness trauma healing in real time and learn self-help techniques. More information is available at hblu.org/live-healing-experience.
Dr. Swack's emphasis on body-level trauma processing could shift how we approach mental health and self-improvement. By acknowledging that trauma is not just a psychological issue but a physiological one, her work opens new avenues for treatment. It also underscores why simply "thinking positive" or "understanding your triggers" might not be enough to break free from recurring patterns.
As Self-Care Month encourages us to prioritize our well-being, Dr. Swack's insights challenge us to consider whether our current self-care routines are addressing the root of our struggles or merely managing symptoms. For those who feel stuck despite their best efforts, exploring trauma-informed methods like HBLU™ may offer a path forward.
