Experiential Therapies for Treating Trauma

Experiential Therapies for Treating Trauma offers 17 chapters, with 15 of them focusing on a different experiential psychotherapy for treating trauma, written by clinicians with expertise in that modality. No other book contains descriptions of such a wide array of experiential therapies under one cover. Readers will obtain both a comprehensive overview of the many experiential therapies that are currently utilized and specific knowledge regarding how to utilize each of them in psychotherapy practice. The authors of each chapter emphasize that in working with clients impacted by trauma, there is a need for the use of therapeutic modalities that go beyond the cognitive processes central to talk therapy and incorporate more holistic, sensory approaches that emphasize the building of a strong relationship between the client and therapist. Both experienced clinicians and students will find this book to be an invaluable resource to enhance their knowledge of how to use experiential therapies and to motivate them to obtain advanced training in modalities that spark their interest.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction: Overview of Experiential Psychotherapies for the Treatment of Trauma 2. Trauma-Focused Psychodrama 3. Gestalt Therapy and Treatment of Trauma 4. The Use of Expressive Arts Therapy for the Treatment of Trauma 5. Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Trauma 6. Somatic Experiencing for the Treatment of Trauma 7. Hakomi Mindfulness-Centered Somatic Psychotherapy 8. Focusing-Oriented Therapy for the Treatment of Trauma 9. Emotion Focused Therapy for Complex Trauma: An Overview of the Model 10. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in the 21st Century 11. Sensorimotor Psychotherapy: A Body-Centered Approach for the Treatment of Trauma 12. Using Internal Family Systems in the Treatment of Trauma 13. Coherence Therapy for Traumatic Memory and Post-Traumatic Symptoms 14. Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy: A Model of Change and Transformation 15. Compassion Focused Therapy for the Treatment of Trauma 16. The Way of the Four Dialogues: Using Chairwork Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Trauma 17. Conclusion: Synthesis and Future Directions

About the Author :
Evan Senreich, PhD, LCSW, is a professor of social work at Lehman College at the City University of New York and a graduate of Gestalt Associates for Psychotherapy in New York. Shulamith Lala Ashenberg Straussner, PhD, LCSW, is professor emerita of New York University and was honored by NASW as a Social Work Pioneer for contributions in the areas of trauma and addictions. Jordan Dann, LP, is the author of Somatic Therapy for Healing Trauma and a faculty member at Gestalt Associates for Psychotherapy in New York.

Review :
"A must read! There is a slow but sure consensus growing among mental health professionals and researchers that experiential work is a missing key ingredient to achieving profound clinical change. Many already suspect this but wonder how to actually implement it with their clients. This important volume answers this question, providing clear rationales, guidelines, and examples on how to unlock the powerful benefits of experiential treatments." Alexandre Vaz, PhD, director of training, Sentio Marriage and Family Therapy Program and Sentio Counseling Center "Every psychotherapist must learn about trauma and its treatment, and the field of contemporary psychotherapy includes more methods and forms of treatment than ever. This timely and tremendously valuable book provides a clear, balanced, and conveniently structured resource for understanding the similarities, differences, strengths, and limitations of therapies from an essential domain of trauma treatment." David S. Elliott, PhD, co-author of Attachment Disturbances in Adults "Experiential Therapies for Treating Trauma is a well-written book about an area of importance to all counselors and psychotherapists. The format offers the reader an opportunity to sample 15 different evidence-based approaches described by experts. I appreciated its breath and depth. It is a must read for anyone who works with trauma, whether a beginner or expert. I highly recommend it." Joseph Melnick, PhD, founding editor of Gestalt Review and co-author of The Evolution of the Cape Cod Model: Gestalt Conversation, Theory and Practice "Highlighting the critical role of the body in trauma recovery, Experiential Therapies for Treating Trauma is a vital resource for practitioners looking to deepen their understanding of integrative approaches to healing." Scott Lyons, founder of the Embody Lab