Bio
Dr. Peter Bernstein is founder and director of the Bernstein Institute for Trauma Treatment in Petaluma, CA. In private practice since 1974, Peter holds a doctorate in clinical psychology as a California licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Dr. Bernstein specializes in the field of emotional and physical trauma and is the author of Trauma: Healing the Hidden Epidemic. A veteran of the Vietnam War era, Peter completed advanced infantry training at Fort Ord on the Monterrey peninsula.
The Bernstein Institute offers individual, couples, and group therapy and uses Reichian-Myofascial Release Therapy (RMFR), a unique and proprietary modality developed by Dr. Bernstein for healing trauma, PTS, and other behavioral health issues.
The Quote
Adversity introduces a man or women to him or herself
Heard at a Navy SEAL graduation
What Led to the Specialization of Trauma?
Peter shares the incredible story of his life and how that led him to where he is today. You must listen to this.
A Crucial Early Mistake
Peter says that when he began doing psychotherapy he felt he was too prideful, too arrogant and felt that what he knew was better than what anyone else knew. It took me years to learn this was wrong.
Peter’s Why
Peter’s life story is his reason for why he does this work.
Peter’s advice
- You have to be for real. Seek help for your own traumas and put a great deal of emphasis on this part of training.
- Understand and realize that you’re no different from your patients.
- Getting into trauma treatment is tough. Think hard about it because this work is hard and confusing.
- Unless you’re willing to break through your own attitudes, you’re going to be in trouble in a very short time.
Peter’s go-to books
- Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma, Peter A. Levine
- Trauma: Healing the Hidden Epidemic, Peter M Bernstein PhD
- Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown, Eric Blehm
- American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History, Chris Kyle
- The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs), Eugene H. Peterson
- Man in the Trap, Elsworth F. Baker
- The Stress of Life, Hans Selye
Interview Links
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I will be very interested in hearing your lectures and reading your books. I am beginning in trauma work and in a short time found myself suffering severe secondary trauma sx that are unrelenting.
Peter you are an inspirational man! I got so much out of listening to your story and the work that you are doing. I have so much respect for you and your integrity as a psychotherapist and as a person. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, wisdom, and compassion for people. I am busting to know more about the work that you do! I I am a psychologist and work as a school counsellor in Sydney Australia and deal with adolescents in trauma every day. It is so humbling and a privilege to be a part of their lives in this way and I only hope that one day I may be able to make a difference for so many people as you have. Working as part of a team is essential. I look forward to researching more about trauma and the body. Thank you ! what a great interview and a great speaking you are!