Synopses & Reviews
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an extremely debilitating anxiety condition that can occur after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal. Although many know that this mental health issue affects veterans of war, many may not know that it also affects victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, natural disasters, crime, car accidents and accidents in the workplace. No matter the cause of their illness, people with PTSD will often relive their traumatic experience in the form of flashbacks, memories, nightmares, and frightening thoughts. This is especially true when they are exposed to events or objects that remind them of their trauma. Left untreated, PTSD can lead to emotional numbness, insomnia, addiction, anxiety, depression, and even suicide.
In The PTSD Workbook, Second Edition, psychologists and trauma experts Mary Beth Williams and Soili Poijula outline techniques and interventions used by PTSD experts from around the world to offer trauma survivors the most effective tools available to conquer their most distressing trauma-related symptoms, whether they are a veteran, a rape survivor, or a crime victim. Based in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the book is extremely accessible and easy-to-use, offering evidence-based therapy at a low cost. This new edition features chapters focusing on veterans with PTSD, the link between cortisol and adrenaline and its role in PTSD and overall mental health, and the mind-body component of PTSD.
This book is designed to arm PTSD survivors with the emotional resilience they need to get their lives back together after a traumatic event.
Review
“The book provides a wealth of information about specific traumas and suggests techniques for dealing with them as well. While many trauma survivors believe they ‘can’t get over it,’ use of this book, combined with appropriate therapy, will certainly assist them on their healing journeys.”
—Mary Beth Williams, Ph.D., author of Handbook of Post-Traumatic Therapy
Review
“For the trauma survivor and the field professional, Dr. Matsakis has written on the most informative and sensitive books on surviving violent trauma. I Can’t Get Over It covers most useful techniques and self-help suggestions for safe recovery, empowerment, and growth following trauma.”
—Yigal Ben-Haim, Ph.D., Trauma Specialist with the Veterans Assistance Center and Alta Bates Burn Center in Berkeley, California
Review
With uncommon clarity and kindness, the author speaks directly to the invisible heart of childhood abuseshame. Readers will recognize the authentic voice of a former victim as she gently guides them on the healing path to self-compassion. It is an artful distillation of self-compassion theory, research, and practice for those who have suffered long enough. I cant recommend it highly enough.”
Christopher Germer, PhD, clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School and author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion
Review
This book provides an in-depth understanding of the many ways shame sustains the harm of past abuse, and outlines a powerful program for using self-compassion to free yourself from these bonds. Read it and heal.”
Kristin Neff, PhD, author of Self-Compassion
Review
In this beautifully written book, Beverley Engel offers us a scholarly, yet easily-accessible understanding of the nature of shame and the harm that it does us. She also articulates very clearly how compassion is one of the most important antidotes for shame. After all, it's easy to be compassionate toward people we likebut real compassion is for when things get tough. No one can read this book without coming away with considerable insights into the problematic ways we often treat ourselves and the value of developing compassionnot just as an easy option, but as a courageous way to deal with our inner struggles. I can't recommend this book highly enough; it is well-researched, highly informative, and helpful. A real gift to those struggling with the inner conflicts of self-doubt and criticism.”
Paul Gilbert, PhD, author of The Compassionate Mind
Review
Relying upon the growing body of evidence-based psychological treatments for PTSD, psychologist Sheela Raja assembles a treasure trove of useful exercises and skills for people committed to recovery. This workbook is an invaluable tool to accompany psychotherapy and will prove to be an outstanding complement to existing self-help manuals. Utilizing an integrated framework for promoting behavioral health, Rajas clinical skill and expertise resounds throughout the text. This is an important reference for patients and clinicians alike.”
Terence M. Keane, PhD, director of National Center for PTSD in Boston, professor and assistant dean for research at Boston University School of Medicine
Review
Sheela Raja has produced an excellent resource for the many individuals suffering from emotional consequences of trauma that do not have access to, cannot afford, or prefer not to utilize traditional mental health services. Her book is long overdue in self-help literature. It is grounded in, and supported by, the best available research related to trauma treatment approaches. Readers can rest comfortably knowing that this is the relatively rare book written for trauma survivors that includes techniques proven to be invaluably helpful for countless others suffering from similar difficulties. They can be assured that exercises recommended in this book are bolstered by cutting-edge scientific research. Overcoming Trauma and PTSD is truly an invaluable resourceone that I will use often and recommend highly.”
Matt J. Gray, PhD, director of clinical training and professor of psychology at the University of Wyoming
Review
Sheela Raja has written an accessible, clear, and compassionate book that successfully integrates important evidence-based techniques for the treatment of PTSD. She does an excellent job explaining techniques so that people can use them on their own, while also providing important guidance about when (and how) to seek professional help.”
Holly K. Orcutt, PhD, professor of psychology at Northern Illinois University
Review
This excellent workbook, based on a rich body of research, will be helpful to anyone who has experienced a sudden, incomprehensible event or suffered lifelong abuse. The authors have provided readers with a clear, comprehensive explanation of trauma, accompanied by practical yet creative exercises to help them manage their trauma symptoms. Its also a valuable resource for clinicians as well as members of the general public striving to understand trauma and return to everyday functioning.”
Betty Stevens-Guille, PhD, CPsych, trauma specialist, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Review
For those who believe that they will never feel normal after a traumatic event, this workbook provides many techniques that survivors can use to jump-start their recovery
an extremely important tool for growth and strength.”
James D. Baxendale, PhD, CTS
Review
The PTSD Workbook, Second Edition, is an excellent resource for those directly affected by a critical or traumatic event, as well as for professionals working in the trauma field. Filled to the brink with concrete, helpful tools and useful information, it will guide the reader in reducing the untoward effects of trauma. Clinical wisdom is combined with evidence-based information in a very readable book. Having worked with trauma and loss for over thirty years I know that this book will be an indispensable guide for the field.”
Atle Dyregrov, PhD, director at the Center for Crisis Psychology, Bergen, Norway
Review
"This revised workbook is based on the latest research, but written with the same warmth and wisdom that informs the first edition. It is a classic for those who live with severe trauma on an ongoing basis."
M.E. Stevens-Guille, PhD
Synopsis
In this ground-breaking book, Dr. Matsakis explains that post-traumatic stress disorder affects not just soldiers, but also suruvivors of many other types of trauma including:
- crime
- vehicular accidents
- rape
- family violence
- sexual abuse
- natural catastrophes
I Can’t Get Over It directly addresses survivors of trauma. It explains the nature of PTSD and describes the healing process. This book will help you:
- Find out whether you have PTSD
- Cope with post-traumatic anger, grief, and survivor guilt
- Recognize related problems such as depression, substance abuse , compulsive behavior and low self-esteem
- Identify “triggers” that set off flashbacks, anxiety attacks, and other symptoms
- Relieve wounding caused by others’ blaming and insensitivity
- Gain a sense of empowerment and hope for the future
Synopsis
Written for sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder, their families and friends, this book will guide you through the trauma healing process one step at a time. It will help you cope with memories and emotions, explain secondary wounding, and identify the triggers that reactivate traumatic stress.
Synopsis
Guides readers thru the healing process of recovering from PTSD. Helps survivors cope with memories & emotions, identify triggers, relieve secondary wounding, and gain a sense of empowerment and hope.
Synopsis
Shame is one of the most destructive of human emotions. And while anyone can suffer from lingering shame, those who were abused in childhood tend to feel it the most. In It Wasnt Your Fault, a therapist presents a compassion-based therapeutic approach to help survivors of physical and sexual abuse overcome the debilitating shame that often keeps them tied to the past. By offering step-by-step techniques for understanding the root cause of shame, as well as exercises in mindfulness and compassion for the self and others, this book will help readers begin to heal and move past painful experiences.
Synopsis
In Overcoming Trauma and PTSD, the most effective skills from evidence-based therapies including acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) are integrated into one approach for overcoming the effects of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Synopsis
If youve experienced a traumatic event, you may feel a wide range of emotions, such as anxiety, anger, fear, and depression. The truth is that there is no right or wrong way to react to trauma; but there are ways that you can heal from your experience, and uncover your own capacity for resilience, growth, and recovery.
Overcoming Trauma and PTSD offers proven-effective treatments based in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you overcome both the physical and emotional symptoms of trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This book will help you find relief from painful flashbacks, insomnia, or other symptoms you might be experiencing. Also included are worksheets, checklists, and exercises to help you start feeling better and begin your journey on the road to recovery.
This book will help you manage your anxiety and stop avoiding certain situations, cope with painful memories and nightmares, and determine if you need to see a therapist. Perhaps most importantly, it will help you to develop a support system so that you can you heal and move forward.
Synopsis
Shame is one of the most destructive of human emotions. If you suffered childhood physical or sexual abuse, you may experience such intense feelings of shame that it almost seems to define you as a person. In order to begin healing, its important for you to know that it wasnt your fault. In this gentle guide, therapist and childhood abuse expert Beverly Engel presents a mindfulness and compassion-based therapeutic approach to help you overcome the debilitating shame that keeps you tied to the past. By following the step-by-step exercises in this book, youll gain a greater understanding of the root cause of your shame. And by cultivating compassion toward yourself, you will begin to heal and move past your painful experiences. Recent studies show that trauma survivors, particularly those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from abuse, can greatly benefit from incorporating elements of self-compassion into their treatment. Furthermore, the practice of self-compassion has been shown to decrease PTSD symptoms, including, self-criticism, thought suppression, and rumination. This book is based on the authors powerful and effective Compassion Cure program. With this book, you will develop the skills needed to finally put a stop the crippling self-blame that keeps you from moving on and being happy. Youll learn to focus on your strengths, your courage, and your extraordinary ability to survive. Most of all, youll learn to replace shame with its counter emotionpride.
Synopsis
In The PTSD Workbook, Second Edition, psychologists and trauma experts Mary Beth Williams and Soili Poijula offer the most effective tools available for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this fully revised and updated edition, readers will learn how to determine the type of trauma they have experienced, identify their symptoms, and learn the most effective strategies they can use to overcome these symptoms. This new edition features chapters focusing on veterans with PTSD, the link between cortisol and adrenaline and its role in PTSD and overall mental health, and the mind-body component of PTSD.
Synopsis
In The Compassionate-Mind Guide to Recovering from Trauma and PTSD, readers learn compassion-focused therapy strategies that can help them overcome symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and shame related to past traumatic experiences and foster a sense of calm and well-being.
Synopsis
Although many people who have survived trauma, abuse, and violent situations understand on a logical level that the traumatic events they experienced were not their fault, shame may still underlie their feelings and fuel post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related psychological difficulties. For example, women who are victims of domestic abuse are often so paralyzed with the stigma of shame associated with their abuse, they don’t seek help. The Compassionate-Mind Guide to Recovering from Trauma and PTSD helps readers reduce the sense of threat they constantly feel and develop a fuller understanding of their reactions to trauma by cultivating compassion for themselves and others. The practical exercises based in compassion-focused therapy (CFT) that are offered in this book help readers gradually confront and overcome trauma-related behaviors. This approach invites readers who have undergone a traumatic experience to develop compassion for themselves and others, a sense of safety, and the ability to self-soothe when difficult memories or emotions arise. Written by an international expert on PTSD treatment, this book will prove to be an essential resource for therapists specializing in the treatment of trauma and anyone in the process of healing from a traumatic experience.
About the Author
Deborah A. Lee, DClinPsy, is a consultant clinical psychologist, head of a national treatment center for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Berkshire, UK, and an honorary senior lecturer in clinical psychology at the University College London. Lee has worked with adult survivors of rape, interpersonal violence, and childhood abuse for more than twenty years and specializes in treating shame-based PTSD and complex trauma. She has pioneered the use of compassion-focused therapy with those suffering from shame-based PTSD and complex trauma and widely disseminated her clinical knowledge through writing and delivering clinical workshops in North America and Europe.
Sophie James is a lawyer and writer. After practicing law for over a decade, she changed her career to take up her passion for writing. She has particular interest in writing for the self-help market, and is dedicated to making clinical research and practice accessible to the general population.
Table of Contents