Principles of Trauma Therapy provides a creative synthesis of cognitive-behavioral, relational/psychodynamic, and psychopharmacologic approaches to the "real world" treatment of acute and chronic posttraumatic states. Grounded in empirically-supported trauma treatment techniques, and adapted to the complexities of actual clinical practice, it is a hands-on resource for both front-line clinicians in public mental health and those in private practice. Trauma-related disturbance can be complex, requiring careful assessment and multimodal, symptom-focused treatment.

This book describes assessment approaches and specific interventions not only for the cognitive and emotional processing of trauma memories, but also for the treatment of problems related to affect dysregulation, identity/self-disturbance, cognitive distortions, negative relational schema, and avoidance responses such as substance abuse, dissociation, and tension-reduction behavior. A special chapter on trauma psychopharmacology, accessible to both prescribing and nonprescribing clinicians, outlines the indications and limitations of psychoactive medication in the treatment of trauma survivors.

Written by trauma researcher and clinician John Briere, Ph.D., and medical director of the USC Psychological Trauma Clinic, Catherine Scott, M.D., this book articulates a nonpathologizing, phenomenological perspective on trauma and recovery - one that emphasizes both specific therapeutic techniques and the general, but critical, role of the therapeutic relationship.

“Takes trauma therapy to a new stage of development, brilliantly integrating the diverse findings of cognitive behaviorists, relational and attachment theorists, and neurobiologists . . .” — Constance Dalenberg. “An essential reference for all clinicians.” — Christine Courtois. Co-author John Briere has been a noted guest at many New Zealand conferences.