Treating Complex Traumatic Stress Disorders: An Evidence-Based Guide by Christine A. Courtois (Editor), Julian D. Ford (Editor), Bessel A. van der Kolk (Afterword), Judith L. Herman (Foreword by)

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Synopsis

Chronic childhood trauma, such as prolonged abuse or family violence, can severely disrupt a person's development, basic sense of self, and later relationships. Adults with this type of history often come to therapy with complex symptoms that go beyond existing criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This important book brings together prominent authorities to present the latest thinking on complex traumatic stress disorders and provide practical guidelines for conceptualization and treatment. Evidence-based assessment procedures are detailed, and innovative individual, couple, family, and group therapies are described and illustrated with case vignettes and session transcripts.

Biography

Christine A. Courtois, PhD, is a psychologist in private practice in Washington, DC. She is cofounder and past Clinical and Training Director of The Center: Posttraumatic Disorders Program at the Psychiatric Institute of Washington, and past Codirector of the Maryland Psychological Association’s Post-Doctoral Institute on Psychological Trauma. Dr. Courtois has authored three books, including Healing the Incest Wound, as well as numerous articles and book chapters. Among her most recent awards are the Outstanding Contributions to Professional Practice Award from Division 56 (Psychological Trauma) of the American Psychological Association and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation. Dr. Courtois routinely conducts professional training locally, nationally, and internationally on topics related to traumatic stress.

Julian D. Ford, PhD, is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and Director of the University of Connecticut Health Center Child Trauma Clinic and Center for Trauma Response Recovery and Preparedness. He has developed the Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy (TARGET) treatment model for adult, adolescent, and child traumatic stress disorders, and conducts research on psychotherapy and family therapy, health services utilization, psychometric screening and assessment, and psychiatric epidemiology. Dr. Ford has coedited two other recent books, Treating Traumatized Children: Risk, Resilience, and Recovery and The Encyclopedia of Psychological Trauma.