Trauma therapy in context: The science and craft of evidence-based practice.

McMackin, Robert A. (Ed); Newman, Elana (Ed); Fogler, Jason M. (Ed); Keane,
Terence M. (Ed)
Washington, DC, US: American Psychological Association
Our scientific understanding of psychological trauma has expanded dramatically
over the past century, but in many ways some things have remained remarkably
constant: Traumatic events may significantly alter the inner and outer landscape of
a person’s life. At times these alterations contribute to growth and a deeper
appreciation of life, yet at other times the traumatic exposure leads to a negative
cascade of shifts in beliefs, behavior, and mood, adversely affecting all aspects of
one’s life. The strong similarities seen among those so negatively affected led to
the formal recognition of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a diagnosis by
the American Psychiatric Association in 1980. From that point, the field of inquiry
rapidly evolved, as the 17 symptoms that constituted a PTSD diagnosis were
recognized among highly divergent populations who shared the commonality of
experiencing a potentially traumatic event, be it torture, rape, physical or sexual
abuse, and natural disaster. These symptoms that form the PTSD diagnosis have
served the field well in legitimizing the negative aftermath of trauma survivors,
fostering communication, description, theory, and treatments. Most saliently, as a
result of the diagnostic nomenclature, intensive research ensued into treatment
options available to those diagnosed with PTSD. This volume presents the work of
a range of clinicians who recognize the complex nature of PTSD and other trauma-
related conditions and appreciate the need to adopt integrated treatments that
consider the whole person, frequently in conjunction with his or her intimate
relationships and community. Particular treatments possess more efficacy than
others, and they should be widely disseminated and integrated into treatment plans.
Our hope is that each chapter will evoke questions and thoughts in the reader on
what constitutes the effective treatment of PTSD and other trauma-related
disorders. At times these thoughts may validate the reader’s clinical experience,
and at other times they may require a shift in one’s clinical or theoretical paradigm.
Most of all, our goal is for this volume to expand clinicians’ skill sets and thus
allow them to more effectively treat persons who have been exposed to potentially
traumatic events. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)