What Doesn't Kill Us: A guide to overcoming adversity and moving forward

Research has shown than anywhere from 30 to 90 per cent of people confronted by tragedy, horror and adversity emerge as wiser, more mature and more fulfilled people, sometimes despite great sadness. Relationships become stronger. Perspectives on life change. Inner strengths are found. For the past twenty years, Stephen Joseph has worked with survivors of trauma and sufferers of posttraumatic stress. In this groundbreaking book, he boldly challenges the notion that trauma and its aftermath devastate and destroy the lives. His studies have shown that a wide range of traumatic events - from illness, separation, assault and bereavement to accidents, natural disasters and terrorism - can act as catalysts for positive change, strengthening relationships, changing one's perspective and revealing inner strengths. In What Doesn't Kill Us, Stephen Joseph shares the six steps we can all use to manage our emotions and navigate adversity to find new meaning, purpose and direction in our lives.

About the Author :
Stephen Joseph is a professor of psychology, health and social care at the University of Nottingham, where he is the cluster co-ordinator for counselling and psychotherapy training in the School of Education. Previously he was co-director of the university's Centre for Trauma, Resilience and Growth and an honorary consultant psychologist in psychotherapy in the Nottinghamshire NHS Trust. He worked with survivors and bereaved families of the Herald of Free Enterprise tragedy and was consulted by the media during the Chilean mining crisis. He is a registered health and counselling psychologist and a senior practitioner member of the British Psychological Society register of psychologists who specialise in psychotherapy. He is on the editorial board of several leading journals; has published more than two academic papers and written or edited ten books; and been a keynote speaker at numerous conferences.

Review :
We live in a world in which suffering is endemic. In this book, Stephen Joseph sounds a hopeful note. Suffering need not destroy - Terry Waite CBE What Doesn't Kill Us indeed does and can make us stronger as brilliantly presented by Professor Stephen Joseph and lived throughout my every day - Dr Gill Hicks MBE, survivor of the London Bombings, July 7, 2005 Convincingly challenging, highly enlightening, and compulsively readable, What Doesn't Kill Us is thoroughly recommended for both those who have and have not experienced trauma. A transformational new perspective - Elaine Iljon Foreman, author of Fly Away Fear: Overcoming Your Fear of Flying and co-author of Depression for Dummies What Doesn't Kill Us is a book of wisdom - both for those who have undergone great stress as well as for those who love and treat them. It is psychology as its best: honest, hopeful, helpful, and based on sound, serious research - Robert J. Wicks, Professor, Loyola University Maryland, and author of Bounce: Living the Resilient Life In this fascinating book, Stephen Joseph maps out the rarely explored positive consequences of trauma, reminding us that growth is possible even in the most adverse circumstances. Although essential reading for clinicians working with traumatised patients, What Doesn't Kill Us is so accessibly written that it should appeal to anyone interested in the human condition - Richard Bentall, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool Stephen Joseph's book is inspirational and, not just for the lay reader but also for all therapists, regardless of their theoretical orientation, as trauma is an inherent part of their work. It goes far beyond the narrow confines of current clinical approaches to working with trauma and posttraumatic stress and challenges all clinicians to think about what we actually say and do in the consulting room . . . To say that it is essential reading would be an understatement. It is essential as a survival guide to life - - Stephen Regel, Honorary Associate Professor/Co-Director Centre for Trauma, Resilience and Growth School of Sociology and Social Policy, University o Professor Stephen Joseph] has ably blended his many years of research and clinical practice into an enlightened story of posttraumatic growth. This is a book that should be read by all who encountered trauma and those who love and treat them - Donald Meichenbaum, PhD Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and Research Director of the Melissa Institute for V What Doesn't Kill Us is an invaluable guide for anyone wanting to know to cope with trauma - Elaine Fox, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, University of Essex