Psychological Trauma And Adult Survivor Theory

First published in 1991. In this book, the authors present a new conceptualization of the unique experience of trauma survivors. They offer both a new theoretical model which we call constructivist self-development theory (CSDT) and a description of its application to clinical assessment of and intervention with adult trauma survivors.

First published in 1991. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Few phenomena are as widely experienced across different individuals, cultures, and contexts as that of traumatic stress. Whether as victims, perpetrators, supporters or simply observers, most people can identify to some extent with the psychological and physical consequences produced by traumatic events. This text examines the nature of traumatic stress, the contexts in which it occurs, and the needs and coping strategies of its survivors. Topics include the survivors of rape, soldiers of war, and the nature of coping with loss or trauma in old age. Furthermore, the roles of culture, social support, and more formal organizations in the ongoing process of overcoming trauma are explored as the text details the nature of traumatic experiences, the needs of survivors, and the challenges faced by those who wish to support and help those survivors.

Experiencing abuse and neglect in childhood can lead to adverse outcomes in adulthood. Adult survivors of untreated child abuse often suffer a range of long-term detrimental effects that adversely affect their functioning in numerous areas of their lives. Unfortunately, the enduring impact of chronic abuse in childhood is not well understood. This book is focused on increasing understanding of the long-term effects of traumatic childhood experiences from both psychological and physiological perspectives. Additionally, this book explores whether pathology frequently seen in adult survivors is a direct or secondary effect of their abuse. Along with scientific and theoretical text-based data, solicited written narratives by an adult survivor of childhood physical, sexual, and psychological abuse are analyzed utilizing hermeneutic methodology with elements of grounded theory to discover relevant connections between the fields of neuroscience, memory research, attachment theory, and trauma research. The relevance of findings of the diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder is discussed and the implications for clinical practice are explored.

Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors integrates a neurobiologically informed understanding of trauma, dissociation, and attachment with a practical approach to treatment, all communicated in straightforward language accessible to both client and therapist. Readers will be exposed to a model that emphasizes "resolution"—a transformation in the relationship to one’s self, replacing shame, self-loathing, and assumptions of guilt with compassionate acceptance. Its unique interventions have been adapted from a number of cutting-edge therapeutic approaches, including Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, Internal Family Systems, mindfulness-based therapies, and clinical hypnosis. Readers will close the pages of Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors with a solid grasp of therapeutic approaches to traumatic attachment, working with undiagnosed dissociative symptoms and disorders, integrating "right brain-to-right brain" treatment methods, and much more. Most of all, they will come away with tools for helping clients create an internal sense of safety and compassionate connection to even their most dis-owned selves.

Presents a model for the treatment of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse that takes advantage of a relational approach and that integrates psychoanalytic thinking with the latest findings from the literature on psychological trauma and sexual abuse. Case examples illustrate the authors' treatment model. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This work addresses the specific symptoms and problems experienced by many adult survivors of childhood sexual and emotional abuse. These may include problems with substance abuse, self-mutilating behaviour, suicide attempts, eating disorders, dissociative reactions, depression, sexual dysfunctions, and serious interpersonal difficulties. The authors use imaginal exposure treatment and imaginal rescripting to replace the recurring abuse-related images with mastery imagery. They provide a comprehensive description of the cognitive behavioural treatment programme that can be implemented with survivors (male and female) of childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.