Episode 370: From Trauma to Regulation to Resilience with Neurobiologist Dr. Bruce Perry

Apr 28, 2026

Dr. Bruce Perry, neurobiologist and child psychiatrist who studies trauma and the developing brain. He clarifies stress versus trauma and invites a shift from blaming to understanding. He champions moderate, predictable stress, the importance of risk and rhythm, and how a regulated caregiver can calm a dysregulated child.

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INSIGHT

Ask What Happened To You Not What's Wrong

Shift from asking “what's wrong with you?” to “what happened to you?” to understand behavior as a developmental pathway.
Bruce D. Perry explains this reveals historical antecedents like prenatal exposure or early experiences that guide treatment choices.

INSIGHT

Trauma Is Event Experience And Long Term Change

Trauma requires considering the event, the person's experience, and the long-term effects (the 3Es).
Perry notes identical events (school fire) cause different physiology and outcomes depending on individual experience and parental response.

ADVICE

Stay Calm To Protect A Child After Trauma

Use calm, regulated parental responses to buffer children's stress and reduce PTSD risk.
Perry cites studies where overanxious parents increased PTSD rates among hospitalized children with life-threatening illnesses.

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Dr. Bruce Perry unpacks the difference between stress, adversity, and trauma, helping parents shift from asking “what’s wrong with you?” to “what happened to you?” He explains how moderate, predictable stress actually builds resilience, while overprotection can limit a child’s growth. He also highlights the powerful role of relationships—especially how a regulated parent can calm a dysregulated child—and offers practical ways to foster connection through rhythm, movement, and presence. Ultimately, he reminds us that understanding a child’s story is key to helping them heal and grow.

Resources mentioned:

The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog by Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz
Born for Love: Why Empathy Is Essential—and Endangered by Bruce Perry and Maia Szalavitz
What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey

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