Routledge Dissociation in Traumatized Children and Adolescents: Theory and Clinical Interventions

Dissociation in Traumatized Children and Adolescents presents a series of unique and compelling case studies written by some of the foremost international experts in the study of dissociation in young people. In the new edition, chapters have been updated to include discussion of the most recent findings in trauma and neuroscience as well as Joyanna Silberg’s popular affect-avoidance model. In addition, Sandra Wieland’s incisive commentaries on each case study have been updated. Each chapter presents a detailed narrative of a therapist's work with a child or adolescent interspersed with the therapist's own thought process, and every therapist explains the theory and research behind her clinical decisions. The case studies present many aspects of working with traumatized children―attachment work, trauma processing, work with the family, interactions with the community, psychoeducation related to dissociation, and encouragement of communication between the dissociated parts―and provide a frank analysis of the difficulties clinicians encounter in various therapeutic situations. While the book is exceptional in its clear and detailed descriptions of theory related to dissociation in children, most importantly, it illustrates how theory can be translated into successful therapeutic interactions. Review "This book is an essential tool for psychotherapists working with dissociative children and adolescents. It’s very practical and helps psychotherapists who are suddenly facing all the challenges of dissociation alone in their practice. It’s also a valuable resource for all clinicians dealing with intergenerational trauma." Anne Suokas-Cunliffe, MPhil, is director of Trauma Center Finland Praise from the foreword: "Any clinician interested in the treatment of trauma and dissociative disorders will find the collection of cases in Dissociation in Traumatized Children and Adolescents richly rewarding and informative, and those with special interest in the treatment of children and adolescents with dissociative disorders should regard this book as required reading. Dissociation in Traumatized Children and Adolescents belongs on the bookshelf of every clinician who treats or who anticipates treating dissociative children and adolescents, and it should be read by every researcher studying trauma, dissociation, and dissociative disorders in the young." Richard P. Kluft, MD, PhD, is a clinical professor of psychiatry at Temple University School of Medicine and also teaches at the Philadelphia Center of Psychoanalysis Praise for the first edition: "This book is a gift to clinicians. The chapters speak to the variability of dissociation in children and adolescents and also to the learning curve that clinicians experience in identifying and treating dissociation. A much-needed and welcome resource!" Christine A. Courtois, PhD, is author of Healing the Incest Wound and coeditor of Treating Complex Traumatic Stress Disorders About the Author Sandra Wieland, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, certified play therapist, and consultant in Victoria, Canada. She was the founding director of the Center for Treatment of Sexual Abuse and Childhood Trauma in Ottawa and has also worked as an adjunct clinical professor at the University of Ottawa.