Principles and Techniques of Trauma-Centered Psychotherapy: A Comprehensive Guide

Written by David Read Johnson, this book integrates cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, and humanistic methods of trauma treatment into a psychotherapeutic context. Unlike other texts, it doesn’t introduce a new form of intervention or technique. Instead, it presents methods that have been successful in clinical practice, backed by evidence-based research and broad clinical experience.

This comprehensive guide focuses on building competence and confidence in trauma-centered interventions, providing methods that are readily and widely applicable to clinical practice. The authors acknowledge that exploring traumatic events with clients requires therapists to be both compassionate and dispassionate, prioritizing the client’s well-being.

A Practical Resource for Clinicians

This book stresses technique over theory, making it an invaluable resource for clinicians of any theoretical orientation, including cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, and sociocultural. It’s suitable for a range of professionals, from psychiatrists and psychologists to social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors.

Features and Benefits

• Dozens of detailed clinical case examples illustrate effective communication strategies for a wide variety of situations.
• Practical techniques for setting up the proper trauma-centered frame, conducting a detailed trauma history, and exploring the effects of trauma on present-day behavior.
• Guidance on handling disruptions in the therapeutic relationship.
• Study questions at the end of each chapter to facilitate deeper understanding.
• Appendices providing a template for a consent-to-treatment form, a traumatic life events questionnaire, and a clinical assessment interview.

In many long-term therapies, a moment comes when the clinician or client realizes it’s time to explore traumatic events. This book is designed for that moment, equipping therapists with the confidence, skills, and humanity to navigate this critical process effectively.

Published by American Psychiatric Publishing in 2015, Principles and Techniques of Trauma-Centered Psychotherapy is an essential resource for anyone working with trauma survivors. With its rich clinical transcripts and detailed techniques, this book will help you make a meaningful difference in the lives of your clients.