Group Therapy for Complex Trauma: A Schema-Informed Approach

Group Therapy for Complex Trauma provides a roadmap for professionals trying to address the many issues that arise in group treatment. It’s an excellent training resource for mental health professionals working in institutions that provide higher levels of acute care, including inpatient, partial hospitalization, and/or intensive outpatient programs, as well as those running groups in traditional outpatient settings. Chapters pull the most recent theory and practice into one concise resource, addressing not only how to treat complex trauma but also why doing so matters. They also provide guidance for troubleshooting situations that often arise around when conducting groups with a population that is often highly dysregulated. The second section includes exercises, and handouts that can be reproduced and shared with participants, enabling them to follow along during the group session and to complete exercises and review material in their own time.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 1.Introduction 2. Early Childhood Trauma and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 3. Schema Therapy and Early Childhood Trauma 4. Building Safety in the Group 5. Therapeutic Challenges and the Role of Leadership 6. Trauma, Mindfulness, and the Healthy Adult 7. Trauma, Substance Use Disorders, Eating Disorders, and Behavioral Addictions 8. Theoretical Underpinnings and Treatment Considerations: A Summary 9. Group Structure and Framework Part 2: Session Protocols Session 1: Beginning the Group Session 2: Schema Therapy Session 3: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Session 4: The Window of Tolerance Session 5: Emotion Regulation Session 6: The Neurobiology of Trauma Session 7: Trauma and the Body Session 8: Traumatic Memory Session 9: Intrusive Symptoms of PTSD: Flashbacks, Nightmares, and Intrusive Memories Session 10: Trauma and Dissociation Session 11: Trauma and Attachment Session 12: The Trauma Triangle Session 13: Shame and the Inner Critic Session 14: Self-Compassion Session 15: Developing Healthy Relationships Sessions 16-17: Making Sense of it All: Recovery, Reconnection, and Integration Part 3 10. Recovering from Complex Trauma

About the Author :
Judith A. Margolin, PsyD, is a certified advanced schema therapist, visiting faculty at Rutgers University, and supervising psychologist at Penn Medicine Princeton Health. She specializes in the treatment of trauma and dissociation.

Review :
"This is a timely and sophisticated addition to the group treatment literature for trauma. Dr. Margolin artfully weaves up to date information about the consequences of complex trauma with approaches to treatment informed by schema therapy. Strengths of this book include detailed handouts and worksheets for participants and a discussion of possible group dynamics and reactions for the leaders to anticipate. I strongly endorse this book as I believe group participants will complete the group with enhanced understanding of themselves and their experiences and increased self-management skills leading to life satisfaction." Christine A. Courtois, PhD, ABPP, co-editor of Treating Complex Traumatic Stress Disorders in Adults and Treating Complex Traumatic Stress Disorders in Children and Adolescents "Group Therapy for Complex Trauma is a wonderful synthesis of contemporary understandings of and therapeutic approaches to complex trauma. Drawing on the broader literature on complex trauma and on established principles of group therapy both broadly and within the schema therapy literature, the book offers a valuable overview of how to understand clients' experiences and work with them in practice. Based on years of practical experience working with complex trauma cases in group therapy, and beautifully integrated within the schema therapy model as an overarching framework, this book is a valuable and original contribution to the field." David Edwards, Professor Emeritus at Rhodes University in South Africa and Former President of the International Society of Schema Therapy "Without a doubt... a must read! Group Therapy for Complex Trauma is a remarkable contribution to the field of trauma therapy. Judith Margolin brings extraordinary expertise, compassion, and clarity to this challenging area of practice. Informed by the schema therapy approach, she masterfully integrates concepts and strategies within the essential phases of group work, offering therapists a framework for addressing the unique needs of individuals with complex trauma. The case examples and thoughtful tone make this book an incredibly important resource for any clinician seeking to deepen their understanding of trauma work and harness the power of group therapy to transform lives. An outstanding work!" Wendy Behary, author of Disarming the Narcissist and co-author of Deliberate Practice in Schema Therapy "Group Therapy for Complex Trauma is an important resource that provides a thorough review of theory and empirical evidence for the group approach to trauma treatment. Dr. Margolin is a recognized expert in the treatment of trauma and a respected schema therapist. Her innovative integration of the schema therapy model into evidence-based complex trauma treatment is an important contribution to the field. Her detailed user-friendly session plans, handouts and homework forms give therapists all they need to run an effective complex trauma group program. As a developer of group schema therapy, with over 45 years of working with borderline personality disorder and complex trauma, I strongly recommend this book." Joan M. Farrell, PhD, Director of the Schema Therapy Institute Midwest-Cleveland and co-author of Deliberate Practice in Schema Therapy