Routledge Treating Chronically Traumatized Children: The Sleeping Dogs Method

When children refuse or seem unable to talk about their traumatic memories, it might be tempting to ‘let sleeping dogs lie’. However, if left untreated, the memories of childhood abuse and neglect can have a devastating effect on the development of children and young people. How can these children be motivated and engage in trauma-focused therapy? Treating Chronically Traumatized Children: The Sleeping Dogs Method describes a structured method to overcome resistance and enable children to wake these sleeping dogs safely, so these children heal from their trauma. The ‘Sleeping Dogs method’ is a comprehensive approach to treating chronically traumatized children, first preparing the child to such an extent that he or she can engage in therapy to process traumatic memories, then by the trauma processing and integration phase. Collaboration with the child’s network, the child’s biological family including the abuser-parent and child protection services, are key elements of the 'Sleeping Dogs method'. The underlying theory about the consequences of traumatization, such as disturbed attachment and dissociation, is described in a comprehensive, easy-to-read manner illustrated with case studies and is accompanied by downloadable worksheets. This new edition has been updated to include the clinical experience in working with this method and the most recent literature and research, as well as entirely new chapters that apply the ‘Sleeping Dogs method’ to the experiences of children in foster care and residential care, and those with an intellectual disability. Treating Chronically Traumatized Children will have a wide appeal, including psychologists, psychiatrists, psychotherapists, counsellors, family therapists, social workers, child protection, frontline, foster care and youth workers, inpatient and residential staff and (foster or adoptive) parents. Review "This is book is a must have for any therapist working with severely traumatised children and young people. It’s written with such clear explanations and a step-by-step guide on how to apply the method within practice. I found it to be enriched by the case studies. Arianne, yet again captures the importance of sensitivity when working with traumatised children. This is underpinned by the care and attention of introducing the ‘sleeping dogs’ model, which offers a structured way of working, creating the appropriate therapeutic environment." - Simon Carpenter, Chief Executive of CLEAR UK, Accredited MBACP, Accredited EMDR Children / Young Persons Practitioner "Arianne Struik has developed a brilliant theory based on her many years of experience working with traumatized children and young people. For the past three years, Arianne Struik has been working on major new projects, in which she shows her ability to develop and refine both the theory and practice of working with traumatized children. She is an excellent teacher and her ability to convey complex knowledge relating traumatized children to other professionals is both nuanced and precise. This book charts the way in which we, in The Copenhagen Community Social Services, have been able to work together with Arianne Struik over the past three years. It has been an amazing journey for us in which we have been able to develop and deepen our understanding of the best ways to work with traumatized children. I strongly recommend all professionals read the new edition of Sleeping Dogs - and be inspired." - Claus Gosvig, Center Manager, Child Protection and Community Services Kopenhagen "Struik incorporated vast experience with theoretical concepts in neuroscience in order to provide a significant challenge to all therapists treating traumatised children. Despite the multitude of information available about treatment of traumatised children, the vast majority of therapists are still too afraid to ‘disturb’ the trauma. By this inaction, many children continue to suffer complex behaviours. By implemen