Understanding Trauma Across the Lifespan with Dr. Frank Putnam
Sat Feb 07 2026
Understanding Trauma Across the Lifespan with Dr. Frank Putnam
Content Note: This episode includes discussion of trauma, child maltreatment, and dissociation; please listen at your own pace and care for your wellbeing while engaging.
In this episode, Dr. Deb Lindh sits down with Dr. Frank Putnam, a renowned psychiatrist, researcher, and national leader in the study of trauma, child maltreatment, and its lifelong effects. With a career spanning decades of clinical work and groundbreaking research, Dr. Putnam has been instrumental in advancing the field of traumatic stress studies and mentoring generations of trauma scientists.
Dr. Putnam’s work began early in his career at the National Institute of Mental Health, where he first encountered the profound effects of child abuse on psychological and biological development. This experience shaped his lifelong focus on understanding trauma’s impact from childhood into adulthood and highlighted the importance of early research to inform healing-informed practice.
His pioneering research on dissociation and dissociative disorders helped transform the field from case-based observations into evidence-based science, including influential publications and the co-authorship of tools widely used in trauma research.
Today, Dr. Putnam continues to research and advocate for trauma-informed approaches that acknowledge the complex ways early adversity shapes health outcomes across the lifespan. He is also recognized for his decades of mentorship and service, including the establishment of the Frank W. Putnam Trauma Research Scholars Program, which supports emerging trauma researchers whose work has great potential to contribute meaningfully to the field.
In this conversation we explore:
• What we currently understand about how trauma affects development from childhood through adulthood
• How early research in child maltreatment and dissociation reshaped scientific thinking about trauma
• The importance of rigorous trauma research and mentorship in broadening the field
• What trauma professionals and survivors alike can take from decades of evidence-based work
Whether you’re new to the trauma conversation or deeply embedded in healing work, this episode offers clarity, context, and hope grounded in decades of research and human experience.
💖 If This Episode Resonated
Listen, subscribe, and share PTSD and Beyond® with someone who might need this message today.
We’re better together. We’re stronger together. Take what resonates and go beyond.
In Love and Healing,
Dr. Deb
Listen, Subscribe, & Share:
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💬 Loved this episode? Share it with someone who needs to hear this message today.
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💌 Connect with Dr. Frank Putnam:
Website - Dr. Frank Putnam
Book - Old Before Their Time, and others
💌 Connect with us:
Website - Dr. Deb Lindh
Website - PTSDandBeyond
Ko-Fi Store - Buy a Cuppa Coffee
Insta - @DrDebraLindh
Insta - @PTSDandBeyond
X (formerly known as Twitter) - @DebraLindh
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Understanding Trauma Across the Lifespan with Dr. Frank Putnam Content Note: This episode includes discussion of trauma, child maltreatment, and dissociation; please listen at your own pace and care for your wellbeing while engaging. In this episode, Dr. Deb Lindh sits down with Dr. Frank Putnam, a renowned psychiatrist, researcher, and national leader in the study of trauma, child maltreatment, and its lifelong effects. With a career spanning decades of clinical work and groundbreaking research, Dr. Putnam has been instrumental in advancing the field of traumatic stress studies and mentoring generations of trauma scientists. Dr. Putnam’s work began early in his career at the National Institute of Mental Health, where he first encountered the profound effects of child abuse on psychological and biological development. This experience shaped his lifelong focus on understanding trauma’s impact from childhood into adulthood and highlighted the importance of early research to inform healing-informed practice. His pioneering research on dissociation and dissociative disorders helped transform the field from case-based observations into evidence-based science, including influential publications and the co-authorship of tools widely used in trauma research. Today, Dr. Putnam continues to research and advocate for trauma-informed approaches that acknowledge the complex ways early adversity shapes health outcomes across the lifespan. He is also recognized for his decades of mentorship and service, including the establishment of the Frank W. Putnam Trauma Research Scholars Program, which supports emerging trauma researchers whose work has great potential to contribute meaningfully to the field. In this conversation we explore: • What we currently understand about how trauma affects development from childhood through adulthood • How early research in child maltreatment and dissociation reshaped scientific thinking about trauma • The importance of rigorous trauma research and mentorship in broadening the field • What trauma professionals and survivors alike can take from decades of evidence-based work Whether you’re new to the trauma conversation or deeply embedded in healing work, this episode offers clarity, context, and hope grounded in decades of research and human experience. 💖 If This Episode Resonated Listen, subscribe, and share PTSD and Beyond® with someone who might need this message today. We’re better together. We’re stronger together. Take what resonates and go beyond. In Love and Healing, Dr. Deb Listen, Subscribe, & Share: ✨ Remember to hit subscribe so you never miss an episode! 💬 Loved this episode? Share it with someone who needs to hear this message today. 🌟 Leave a review! It helps us reach more people on their healing journey. 💌 Connect with Dr. Frank Putnam: Website - Dr. Frank Putnam Book - Old Before Their Time, and others 💌 Connect with us: Website - Dr. Deb Lindh Website - PTSDandBeyond Ko-Fi Store - Buy a Cuppa Coffee Insta - @DrDebraLindh Insta - @PTSDandBeyond X (formerly known as Twitter) - @DebraLindh