Principles and Techniques of Trauma-centered Psychotherapy

Principles and Techniques of Trauma-Centered Psychotherapy, by David Read Johnson, Ph.D. and Hadar Lubin, M.D. makes an impact. In this book, two very thoughtful and experienced clinicians and teachers convey incisive perspectives on social and psychological contexts that shape the psychological responses to extremely stressful life events. Then, in successive chapters, they lead the reader through the process of applying trauma-centered psychotherapy in individual, group, and couples therapy. In so doing, they clearly articulate basic techniques as well as typical challenges faced in therapy with traumatized individuals. --John H. Krystal, M.D., Robert L. McNeil, Jr., Professor of Translational Research Chair, Department of Psychiatry, Professor of Neurobiology, Yale University School of Medicine

Principles and Techniques of Trauma-Centered Psychotherapy is a must read for students, practitioners, educators, and even for experts in the field . . . I believe I have already added to my tool-kit and improved my approach thanks to this well presented, authentic, and authoritative volume. --Frank M. Ochberg, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Michigan State University, Former Associate Director, NIMH, Recipient, Lifetime Achievement Award, ISTSS

In Principles and Techniques of Trauma-Centered Psychotherapy, the authors provide an important and needed addition to the trauma treatment literature. They expertly guide the clinician through the nuances and challenges of asking directly and in detail about traumatic events and experiences. As Lubin and Read note, this approach is not for the faint-hearted. They offer clear rationale for trauma-centered psychotherapy whether it is used as a freestanding approach or is part of a sequenced treatment. --Christine A. Courtois, PhD, ABPP, Psychologist, Independent Practice, Washington, DC, National Clinical Trauma Consultant, Elements Behavioral Health/Promises, Malibu, CA and Brightwater, Landing, Wrightsville, PA, Author, Healing the Incest Wound; Treati

Therapists interested in conducting rigorous and effective trauma-centered conversations with their patients will find Principles and Techniques of Trauma-Centered Psychotherapy of enormous instructional and clinical value. Never before has a text examined the process of trauma inquiry in the detail presented here -- specifically, in dozens of extremely thorough case examples that demonstrate successful and unsuccessful therapeutic interventions. Exercising great care and skill, the authors describe the step-by-step mechanics of conducting an effective trauma-centered psychotherapy based on imaginal exposure from an in-depth narrative of the client's traumatic experiences. Clinicians in practice and in training will benefit from the authors' focus on increasing competence in this important aspect of treatment.

From establishing the trauma treatment framework to navigating the inevitable disruptions to dealing with the negative effects on the therapist of hearing detailed accounts of traumatic events, Principles and Techniques of Trauma-Centered Psychotherapy is both pragmatic and empathic, providing effective strategies in the context of true life treatment.

David Read Johnson, Ph.D., is Co-director of the Post Traumatic Stress Center in New Haven, Connecticut and Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine. He was formerly the Unit Chief of the Specialized Inpatient PTSD Unit at the National Center for PTSD, VA Medical Center, in West Haven, Connecticut. He is the co-author (with H. Lubin) of Trauma-Centered Group Psychotherapy for Women (Francis & Taylor, 2008), and co-editor (with N. Sajnani) of Trauma-Informed Drama Therapy: Transforming Clinics, Classrooms, and Communities (Charles C Thomas, 2014), as well as numerous articles on trauma treatment. Hadar Lubin, M.D., is Co-director of the Post Traumatic Stress Center in New Haven, Connecticut and Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale University School of Medicine. She was formerly the Unit Chief of the Specialized Inpatient PTSD Unit at the National Center for PTSD, VA Medical Center, in West Haven, Connecticut. She is the co-author (with D. Johnson) of Trauma-Centered Group Psychotherapy for Women (Francis & Taylor, 2008), as well as numerous articles on trauma treatment.