Written in an accessible style, it provides a comprehensive introduction to complex trauma accompanied by advice on how to create a safe environment in which survivors can learn the skills to restore control over trauma symptoms, to aid healing and post traumatic growth. The book covers all of the key principles including: understanding the role of dissociation in complex trauma; the role of attachment; managing flashbacks, panic attacks, nightmares and dissociation; responding to shame and guilt; managing relationships; and the impact of working with complex trauma. It explores how practitioners can work more effectively with trauma, and offers techniques and skills which can easily be integrated into different therapeutic models.
Part I: Understanding Complex Trauma. 1. Understanding Trauma and Complex Trauma. 2. Understanding Trauma Symptoms. 3. Understanding the Role of Dissociation. 4. Understanding the Role of Attachment. Part II: Working with Complex Trauma. 5. Safe Trauma Therapy. 6. Therapeutic Challenges. 7. Building and Maintaining the Therapeutic Relationship. 8. The Process of Recovery and Healing. Part III: Skills to Manage Complex Trauma Symptoms. 9. Establishing Safety and Control. 10. Skills to Improve Daily Life. 11. Managing Sensations, Feelings and Grounding Skills. 12. Managing Flashbacks, Panic Attacks, Nightmares and Dissociation. 13. Managing Negative Thoughts and Beliefs. 14. Managing Memories. 15. Managing Shame and Guilt. 16. Managing Self-Harm. 17. Managing Boundaries. 18. Managing Relationships. 19. Managing Sexuality. 20. Managing Loss and Mourning. Part IV: Post Traumatic Growth. 21. Restoring Reality and Expressing Needs. 22. Relapse Prevention. 23. Reconnecting to Self and Post traumatic Growth. Part V: Professional Issues. 24. Practitioner Self Care. Appendices.Trauma Assessment Scales. Resources and Trauma Assessment. Organisations. References. Index.
This book has a great deal to offer to all counsellors and psychotherapists, as well as other practitioners who work with people who have experienced trauma within the context of close relationships. The great strength of this book is that it considers all aspects of this area of therapy in an informed, accessible, caring and comprehensive manner. It represents an exceptional contribution to the literature and will become essential reading for both trainees and experienced practitioners. A welcome example of how knowledge and skills from a range of medical, social and psychotherapeutic approaches can be integrated into a coherent model of practice.
