From Book News, Inc.
Johnson (a psychologist) argues for the value of couple therapy in the recovery of individual trauma survivors, as well as in the strengthening of the relationship as a whole. She outlines a systematic intervention approach designed to modify the interactional patterns that maintain traumatic stress and foster positive emotional bonds. The book combines theoretical innovations, evidence-based techniques, and the lessons of Johnson's own clinical experience.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


Review
"Among those to whom the book is likely to appeal are therapists working within a systems or feminist framework, as the book emphasizes the healing power of interpersonal connectedness for trauma survivors. Further, for those couples therapists using the cognitive-behavioural approach...this book is probably essential reading as that approach draws heavily on EFT [Emotion-Focused Therapy]."--Canadian Psychology

"A significant addition to the trauma treatment literature....Dr, Johnson has a gift for clinical description: her case examples are vivid, interesting, and tackle complex issues. Interventions are similarly detailed and well described....Recommended to all therapists working with couples where one or both members of the couple have suffered trauma."--Journal of Trauma Practice

"Johnson is widely recognized not only for her theoretical contributions to understanding couple attachment and therapy, but also for her achievements as a researcher committed to empirically evaluating both the process and outcome of couple therapy. She is an experienced clinician and a gifted writer. Individuals interested in adult attachment processes and the impact of trauma on either individual or relationship functioning, and clinicians committed to intervening with trauma survivors from either an individual or couple perspective, will find this book an invaluable resource."--Relationship Research News

"The text is a complete and thorough approach for working with some of our hardest and most heart wrenching cases."--Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy

"I found this book very readable and nicely put together. It will be a useful book for both clinicians and students. It is a helpful beginning look at working with couples in which the echoes of trauma interferes with the creation of a secure attachment bond within the couple relationship."--Pastoral Sciences



Review
"The text is a complete and thorough approach for working with some of our hardest and most heart wrenching cases."--Journal of Couple & Relationship Therapy

"I found this book very readable and nicely put together. It will be a useful book for both clinicians and students. It is a helpful beginning look at working with couples in which the echoes of trauma interferes with the creation of a secure attachment bond within the couple relationship."--Pastoral Sciences



Book Description
This book provides a theoretical framework and an innovative model of intervention for distressed couples whose relationships are affected by the echoes of trauma. Combining attachment theory, trauma research, and emotionally focused therapeutic techniques, Susan M. Johnson guides the clinician in modifying the interactional patterns that maintain traumatic stress and fostering positive, healing relationships among survivors and their partners. In-depth case material brings to life the process of assessment and treatment with couples coping with the impact of different kinds of trauma, including childhood abuse, serious illness, and combat experiences. The concluding chapter features valuable advice on therapist self-care.



Book Info
Presents current theory and research on trauma and PTSD, attachment, and emotionally focused couple therapy, integrating these into a treatment model. Part two includes illustrated case examples.


About the Author
Susan M. Johnson, EdD, the originator and one of the main proponents of emotionally focused couple therapy, is Professor of Psychology at the University of Ottawa, Canada, and Director of the Ottawa Couple and Family Institute. She is also Research Professor in the Marital and Family Therapy Program at Alliant International University, San Diego, California.



Excerpted from Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy with Trauma Survivors: Strengthening Attachment Bonds by Susan M. Johnson. Copyright © 2002. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
I. Trauma in Context: Healing in Attachment Relationships
1. Healing Connections: Expanding the Role of Couples Therapy
2. Trauma and Its Aftermath
3. Attachment and Trauma
4. Assessment
5. Interventions

II. Clinical Realities: Couples Therapy with Traumatized Couples
6. Couples Therapy to Create a Secure Base for the Treatment of Trauma
7. Defeating an Anxiety Disorder and Marital Distress
8. The Trauma of Physical Illness
9. Couple Therapy with Combat Veterans
Lyn Williams Keeler and Susan M. Johnson
10. Relationship Traumas: Attachment Injuries in Close Relationships
11. Therapists Who Deal with Dragons

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Trauma can have a tremendous impact on a person's capacity to trust and feel safe in intimate relationships; yet treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) generally focus on the individual client. This book suggests that couple therapy can play a vital role in recovery for individual survivors at the same time as it addresses trauma-related issues in the relationship as a whole. From pioneering treatment developer Susan M. Johnson, the volume presents a systematic intervention approach designed to modify the interactional patterns that maintain traumatic stress and foster positive, healing attachments among survivors and their partners. Combining theoretical innovation, evidence-based techniques, and wisdom gleaned from decades of front-line clinical experience, it is a vital resource for practitioners in a wide range of settings.

FROM THE CRITICS

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Nicholas Greco IV, MS (Abbott Laboratories)Description: This book focuses on providing the reader with pertinent and highly valuable systematic treatment approaches in working with couples and trauma related issues within the relationship. Purpose: The purpose is to integrate the recent research on adult attachment, discuss the latest links between attachment and healing, enhance our understanding of the nature of traumatic stress, and promote the clinical interventions needed for couples therapy. The focus of this book is to integrate the relationship the individual suffering from PTSD has with their partner rather than the traditional individual focus on the patient alone. The overall intent of this book is tremendous and the goals are successfully accomplished. Audience: The book is written for students and clinicians of psychology, psychiatry, nursing, and social work. More specifically, couple and family therapists and trauma specialists will find this book to be quite a valuable asset. This book is easily adaptable for graduate level teaching and a solid resource for clinicians. The author is undeniably credible and an authority in her field. Features: The book is well-designed and walks the reader through the current theory and research on PTSD and trauma, provides a strong discussion of assessment and intervention issues and then delves into actual couples therapy. The case examples are supported by the author's insights and knowledge and the appropriate literature. Readers will find the chapters on defeating an anxiety disorder and marital distress, relationship traumas, and therapists who deal with dragons to be especially enlightening. The book is solidly written and a true pleasure to read. Assessment: This beautifully written book encompasses the issues involved in couples therapy with trauma survivors. The material is highly relevant, easy to implement, and a strong source of information for clinicans and researchers. Undoubtedly one of the best books on couples therapy in quite some time.

Booknews

Johnson (a psychologist) argues for the value of couple therapy in the recovery of individual trauma survivors, as well as in the strengthening of the relationship as a whole. She outlines a systematic intervention approach designed to modify the interactional patterns that maintain traumatic stress and foster positive emotional bonds. The book combines theoretical innovations, evidence-based techniques, and the lessons of Johnson's own clinical experience. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

RATING

5 Stars! from Doody

ACCREDITATION