Trauma-Informed Mindfulness With Teens: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals
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Author: Sam Himelstein
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Paperback:
ISBN 10: 039371344X
ISBN 13: 978-0393713442
For the clinician who wishes to share the transformational practice of mindfulness with youth who’ve been adversely impacted by trauma.
Mindfulness has grown in popularity exponentially over the past two decades, and many educators, therapists, and other youth professionals are asked to teach mindfulness in a variety of public settings: schools, detention centers, and other systems of care. Many of these youths are impacted by trauma.
Through practical methods and real- world examples, Sam Himelstein offers a clear conceptual understanding for why mindfulness may help youth impacted by trauma, explanation about when and how to adapt mindfulness meditations, and practical “mini- modules” for presenting and teaching mindfulness via a trauma- informed lens.
This book presents specific guidelines about teaching mindfulness within a relationship- based framework for building the therapeutic alliance and aiding other psychotherapy interventions. Case examples illuminate common experiences that arise with trauma-impacted youth, and detailed descriptions of exercises and curricula are provided. This book is a must for therapists who wish to share mindfulness with trauma-impacted youth.
Review
“Sam Himelstein has written more than a skillful methodology for supporting mindfulness in troubled youth. He has developed an integrated approach that includes culturally sensitive psychotherapy, various types of meditation practices, and specifically- focused mindfulness activities, all of which are highly relevant to the experience of adolescents struggling with social marginalization, discrimination, and daily micro/macro aggressions. This book represents the next step in our field: teaching inward attention, mindful awareness, and self- acceptance, but also focusing on ‘outside’ challenges and harsh social phenomena that add to the client’s suffering.”
- John Briere, Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry & the Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California; Director, USC Adolescent Trauma Training Center (USC- ATTC)
“This is a ground- breaking resource for anyone teaching mindfulness to teens. Drawing upon years of hard- won insight, Himelstein illuminates why mindfulness can help youth who are struggling with trauma, including powerful adaptations that ensure meditations are trauma- informed. It’s a book I’ve been waiting for and am thrilled to recommend.”
- David Treleaven, Ph.D., author of Trauma- Sensitive Mindfulness: Practices for Safe and Transformative Healing
“Sam Himelstein has woven together lessons learned from his own challenging adolescence with his wealth of clinical experience and years of personal mindfulness practice― all into one accessible guide for teaching mindfulness to teens from a trauma- informed perspective. He writes clearly and offers a wide variety of mindfulness activities and sample scripts that are seasoned with real- life case vignettes. Trauma- Informed Mindfulness with Teens is a valuable, user- friendly addition to the library of any mental health professional who works with adolescents.”
- Randye J. Semple, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Director of Programs, USC Adolescent Trauma Training Center
About the Author
Sam Himelstein, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, public speaker, and author who specializes in working with adolescents and their families via private practice, community organizations, and in juvenile justice settings. He and travels the world offering workshops on related topics. He lives in Oakland, CA.
