Holocaust Survivor Changed Trauma Therapy By Just Listening

When Holocaust survivor Dori Laub started recording other survivors' testimonies in the late 1970s, he thought he was simply preserving history. Instead, he accidentally discovered a revolutionary form of therapy.

Laub, who survived Romanian camps as a child, noticed something remarkable when people shared their stories on camera. The act of being truly heard, with empathy and presence, helped survivors begin to heal from decades-old trauma.

His insight was radical for its time: you don't always need to fix or analyze trauma. Sometimes the most powerful medicine is a compassionate witness who listens without judgment.

This approach led Laub to create the world's first video testimony archive, preserving thousands of survivor stories. But more importantly, he developed a unique therapeutic method centered on deep listening that has influenced trauma treatment worldwide.

A new documentary captures the final four years of Laub's life from 2015 to 2018. It weaves together archival testimonies with intimate moments from his own journey, including his relationship with the daughter of a former Nazi officer and the first time his own children heard his full testimony.

The Ripple Effect

Laub's legacy extends far beyond the archive he created. His listening-based approach has shaped how therapists worldwide help people process trauma, from natural disasters to war.

Most recently, a project called Edut 710 used Laub's methods to document testimonies from survivors of the October 7 Hamas massacre. The same principles he pioneered decades ago continue helping new generations of trauma survivors find their voice and begin healing.

His work proves that sometimes the most profound help we can offer isn't advice or solutions. It's the gift of our full attention, given with empathy and respect.

Laub's life reminds us that our own painful experiences can become sources of healing for others when we choose to listen with our whole hearts.