Authored / Edited by a Past President of ISTSS

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #89627 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 312 pages

Review
"This groundbreaking book takes trauma therapy to a new stage of development, brilliantly integrating the diverse findings of cognitive behaviorists, relational and attachment theorists, and neurobiologists.  The authors understand that therapy is an intimate relationship between two people -- the (often distrusting and fearful) patient who wishes relief from pain and the (often frustrated but empathic) therapist who would like to provide that relief.  The authors generate in the reader a respect for the biological underpinnings of trauma and the power of early attachment dynamics, showing us how to accept these realities while building the structures that will help the patient achieve symptom relief.  The clarity of the text, particularly given the complexity of the material, combines with the wisdom and warmth of the authors to produce a "must read" for any therapist working with trauma patients." (Constance Dalenberg, Ph.D., )

"The authors have provided a definitive resource on the treatment of all types of trauma, especially important as society faces more and more traumatic events. This book admirably meets its goal as a hands-on, practical guide for clinicians working with adult and older adolescent trauma survivors. The material is cutting edge, encompassing a wide range of interventions, including a very comprehensive chapter on psychopharmacology. It includes discussion of techniques and principles for which an evidence base has developed, as well as other techniques developed from clinical experience. This book will serve as an essential reference for all clinicians treating the traumatized, as well as a textbook for courses on the treatment of trauma." (Christine A. Courtois, PhD )

"This is a phenomenal compilation of clinical, biological, neuropsychiatric, and psychotherapeutic information on the subject of trauma. The authors move from the very basic subject of "what trauma is" to the most complicated subjects of etiology and intervention.  The usefulness of the book is greatly enhanced by the many case examples. This is a major contribution, both for those who treat and for theoreticians....  a must for every clinician!" (Marcia Goin, MD, PhD )

"This book bridges the divide between CBT oriented, evidence based practitioners and those who endorse a more relationship based approach to chronic traumas. The authors offer a components based model for the delivery of trauma therapy that clearly illustrates how these two approaches can be compatible. As Briere and Scott demonstrate, the science and the art of therapy are both honored when there is systematic application of treatment components in the context of specific client needs. This book is just what is needed to advance our field."

(Lucy Berliner, MSW )

"The chapter on psychopharmacology stands out in two ways.  First, the integrative discussion of the psychology and biology of post-trauma outcome provides essential understanding for all who work with survivors, regardless of discipline.  Second, the clarity and scope of this work provides both an accessible primer for practitioners new to trauma and a comprehensive pharmacology update for more experienced clinicians." (James High, MD )

"This book is an excellent teaching tool -almost what one would expect from a course with details printed in different fonts and useful checklists for clinical work.  I appreciate the choice of either reading individual chapters one at a time, each one with recommended reading sections at the end, or the benefits of reading the book as a whole...Of special value in this book is the chapter dedicated to the psychopharmacology of trauma, as special attention is given to the most up-to-date research in the field of psychobiology" -CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY (Nicole Ruysschaert CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY )

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Customer Reviews

Fantastic resource!
This is a must have is you work with patients dealing with trauma. It provides an excellent summary of the most recent research and practical recommendations for ideal treatment programs. I used this as a resource in designing my own treatment programs in working with patients dealing with combat stress.

Principles of Trauma Therapy: Review
Briere has done a very good job of summarizing research and practice regarding the treatment of trauma. His clinical suggestions are clear, specific, and useful for the clinician.
The major concern I had about the book was that his theoretical underpinning is behavioral, and to a lesser extent cognitive-behavioral. As a result, he ends up at times explaining highly complex phenomena in simple, stimulus-response terms. For example, his conceptualization of the intense emotions experienced during a flashback, or re-experiencing, of a trauma is referred to throughout the book as a "Conditioned Emotional Response." Even the complex set of intersubjective experiences of the patient and therapist are explained within a stimulus-response model. (I was reminded of the early attempt to explain psychoanalysis in behavioral terms by Dollard and Miller.)
Briere also gives very short shrift (less than a page) to the work in EMDR that has proved so useful, albeit controversial, and shows limited understanding of this technique. He is correct, though, to point out that other exposure therapies may work just as well.
Despite these shortcomings, I recommend this book as a very worthwhile addition to the clinician's library because Briere provides a very useful breakdown of the stages of treatment of the victims of trauma, with illustrative examples that render his points in a very clear and concrete manner.
The reader can add his/her own theoretical explanations for the usefulness of his clinical methods.

Leonard S. Stein, Ph.D.

A solid basic reference.
This is a solid basic reference on the subject. Maybe I underestimated what I already knew about trauma therapy, but I was hoping for a bit more. I would recommend this book to anyone just starting out in learning about trauma therapy. It's sophisticated; don't get me wrong! And this guy is the Master. I was just looking to go deeper into the subtleties of working with people dealing with trauma issues. And more on childhood sexual abuse would have been welcome.