As researchers have developed increasingly more effective interventions aimed at relieving trauma symptoms, trauma therapists have come to understand that the success of these approaches is highly contingent on personal factors. Whether affected by natural disaster or sexual assault, by trauma-related symptoms like PTSD, substance abuse, or depression, each victim of psychological trauma has undergone a uniquely personal experience. Recovery too is highly variable and deeply dependent upon an individual's distinctive history and cultural context.

This book examines several current clinical approaches to trauma focused treatment. Rather than describe theoretical approaches in isolation, the editors have integrated these interventions into a broader clinical context. Chapter authors emphasize basic therapeutic skills such as empathic listening, instilling resilience, and creating meaning, in the service of empirically-supported, highly efficacious trauma interventions. Throughout, they focus on the real-life challenges that arise in typical therapy sessions to deepen our understanding and application of evidence based interventions. [instead of and eschew the "manualized" approach that has characterized much of the clinical literature over the years.}

This book is intended for all clinical mental health professionals who work with trauma survivors, particularly those who seek to broaden their understanding of the way various approaches interact to inform a holistic understanding of trauma treatment.
About the Author: Robert A. McMackin, EdD, is the codirector of the Psychology Service at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Boston, is on the clinical faculty at Tufts University School of Medicine, and is board certified in counseling psychology. He has consulted with the Archdiocese of Boston on developing services for survivors of clergy-perpetrated sexual abuse and coedited one book on that topic.

Terence M. Keane, PhD, is a professor of psychiatry and assistant dean for research at the Boston University School of Medicine. He is also the associate chief of staff for research and the director of the National Center for PTSD at the VA Boston Healthcare System. Currently Dr. Keane is the president of APA's Division of Trauma Psychology and president of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America; he is also the past president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS).

Dr. Keane has published 13 edited volumes and more than 250 articles on the assessment and treatment of PTSD. His contributions to the field have been recognized by many honors. His contributions to the field have been recognized by many honors. He is a fellow of APA and the American Psychological Society; he has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the ISTSS, Outstanding Researcher Award from the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy, and an honorary doctorate from Binghamton University of the State University of New York for "his work in opening an entire field of inquiry in psychological science."

Elana Newman, PhD, is the McFarlin Chair of Psychology at the University of Tulsa. She is also the director of Clinical Training Programs, codirector of the Tulsa Institute for Trauma, Abuse and Neglect, and codirector of the Community Research and Development at the University of Tulsa. She also serves as the research director of the Dart Center for Trauma and Journalism, which is housed at Columbia University.

Dr. Newman is a past president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. She has published more than 80 articles and book chapters on topics related to psychological trauma. In her role with the Child Traumatic Stress Network, she has worked to adapt evidence-based practices into community agencies. She has given more than 250 presentations across the globe about psychological trauma.

Jason M. Fogler, PhD, is an attending psychologist at Children's Hospital Boston's Developmental Medicine Center and Instructor in Psychology at Harvard Medical School. During the development and editing phase of this volume, he was a staff psychologist at The Counseling Center of Nashua, where he specialized in the comprehensive neuropsychological assessment and evidence-based treatment of traumatized children and adults, including combat veterans and survivors of abuse in childhood.