Review
"Courtois and Ford present an essential, comprehensive work for clinicians and researchers. Evidence-based practice recommendations for psychotherapeutic and pharmacological treatment are presented--carefully adapted for those suffering from complex traumatic stress disorders--and a range of treatment models are clearly described. Rich clinical material, and attention to management of the therapeutic alliance, therapist self-care, and other key challenges in working with these clients, make this a most useful and innovative resource."--Josef I. Ruzek, PhD, Director, Dissemination and Training Division, National Center for PTSD
"This is the single best source for clinical expertise in complex traumatic stress disorders. Leading clinicians and researchers share a rich array of individual, couple, family, and group therapy models that illustrate basic treatment principles and best practices. Informed by recent research, the contributors cover the developmental and neurobiological background against which to frame essential assessment and treatment issues. Chapters on such pragmatic topics as vicarious traumatization and risk management offer advice on reducing stress for therapists working with these challenging cases."--Frank W. Putnam, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"Treatments based on a traditional conceptualization of PTSD are frequently insufficient to address the diverse, long-lasting, and pervasive effects of complex trauma. This book offers a comprehensive review of treatment considerations, assessment measures, best practices, and evidence-based treatment approaches specifically tailored for psychotherapy with people who have experienced prolonged abuse and neglect by caregivers. An indispensable guide for any mental health professional who works with trauma survivors."--Pamela C. Alexander, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, Wellesley Centers for Women
"A valuable addition to the libraries of both novice and experienced clinicians who treat patients with disorders as varied as reactive attachment disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, dissociative disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder....An unparalleled contribution to the existing literature on assessment and intervention with survivors of complex trauma. There are few existing compilations that have collected such a wide variety of treatment approaches from such prominent authors, and it is probable that this is the most comprehensive and current review to date. While multiple evidence-based treatment strategies are given attention in this book, it is detailed enough so that the reader is able to make an informed decision about whether to pursue an approach. In addition, several chapters describe essential understanding required for working with any survivor of complex trauma regardless of the particular intervention style....One of the book's highlights is its thoughtful and comprehensive summary of assessment tools for the clinician treating survivors of complex traumatic stress....Courtois and Ford have assembled an impressive volume of empirically-informed assessment and treatment approaches that 'honor and support the resilience of trauma survivors as they carry on with their lives and enrich the lives of their families and communities.'" ― Trauma Psychology Newsletter (APA Division 56) Published On: 2009-02-07
"This book is likely to appeal to clinicians who are eager to learn more about the area of complex traumatic stress and novel approaches to treating associated problems. The text is well-written and organized, making it easy to follow." ― Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy Published On: 2009-02-07
"Will surely become a classic textbook on complex traumatic stress. This book is appropriate for students, clinicians, and academics alike. Because the concept of complex trauma is still evolving, this text can educate and inform students in training as well as seasoned clinicians....The authors of the book are leaders in the field of trauma and they artfully illustrate the nuances of the disorder as well as subsequent treatment through rich case examples....In our current mental health climate, there exists a psychiatric debate about formally establishing Complex PTSD as a disorder. In such a climate this book documents the current knowledge and evidence supporting the disorder and will surely help to shift the paradigm of how complex trauma is understood, assessed for, and ultimately healed from." ― Clinical Social Work Journal Published On: 2009-02-07
"Editors Courtois and Ford unite to provide a thorough, stimulating, and current text on treating a very challenging population of individuals with complex trauma....This is an important and highly relevant book, addressing a complex problem, organizing what empirical support there is for the many approaches which are currently utilized and expanded for this population. Even if you do not work with traumatized individuals, there is much to learn from this book. It can be therapeutically profitable. Well-written, it has an impressive list of contributors, and Ford has a hand in many of the chapters. This book is highly recommended and well-worth its asking price." ― Child and Family Behavior Therapy Published On: 2009-02-07
"Presents a well-researched, comprehensive source for clinical expertise in the area of complex traumatic stress disorder—specifically PTSD." ― EABP Newsletter Published On: 2009-02-07
"The book has a compelling philosophical unity about it - essentially humanistic, and broadly cognitive and behavioural. Among all this solid evidence-based theory and practice, I also felt uplifted by a sense of optimism....I heartily recommend this book to any psychological therapist or medical practitioner who is called upon to help those whose life experiences have resulted in intransigent mental health issues that may thus far have been diagnosed as a developmental disorder, personality disorder (particularly borderline), or post-traumatic stress disorder." ― Healthcare, Counselling, and Psychotherapy Journal Published On: 2009-02-07
"This book is welcome as it pulls together theoretical and clinical approaches to understanding and helping people with difficulties following multiple and prolonged traumatic experiences....This book addresses important issues and was stimulating both academically and clinically....The book will be useful to most therapists, but especially those who regularly work with people whose main problems are associated with abusive or neglectful experiences in early childhood." ― Journal of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy Published On: 2009-02-07
"A valuable addition to understanding and treating complex traumatic stress disorders, this book will enhance the knowledge and therapeutic toolbox of any practitioner working with clients who have had complex psychological traumas....I really appreciated the insights offered by the contributors and the wealth of experience and knowledge assembled by the editors." ― Addiction Today Published On: 2010-02-14
"The first comprehensive overview on assessment and treatment of complex traumatic stress disorders. Both authors are experts in the field and have worked as clinicians with trauma survivors facing the clinical reality of complex manifestations of trauma....All the chapters are extremely well written and very informative. Each chapter makes a significant contribution to this important, fast-developing field....This important text is a clear contribution to the position that complex traumatic stress disorders can be conceptualized as a separate clinical entity....This book provides a complete overview over the current thinking regarding complex trauma disorders and should be required reading for all researchers and clinicians working with this population." ― MIWatch.org Published On: 2009-02-07
About the Author
Christine A. Courtois, PhD, ABPP, a board-certified counseling psychologist, is retired from private practice in Washington, DC, and is a consultant/trainer on topics on trauma psychology and treatment. She cofounded and then served for 16 years as Clinical and Training Director of The CENTER: Posttraumatic Disorders Program, in Washington, DC. Dr. Courtois was chair of the Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Adults for the American Psychological Association (APA), released in 2017, and for guidelines on the treatment of complex trauma for several professional organizations. She has published a number of books (four of them coedited or coauthored with Julian Ford) and numerous book chapters and articles on trauma-related topics. Dr. Courtois is past president of APA Division 56 (Trauma Psychology) and past founding Associate Editor of the Division's journal, Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. She served two terms on the Board of Directors of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS). She has received the Award for Distinguished Contributions to Independent Practice from the APA, the Sarah Haley Award for Clinical Excellence from ISTSS, and, most recently, the Award for Distinguished Service and Contributions to the Profession of Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology.
Julian D. Ford, PhD, ABPP, a clinical psychologist, is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, where he is Director of the Center for Trauma Recovery and Juvenile Justice and the Center for the Treatment of Developmental Trauma Disorders. He has served as President of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, and is Associate Editor of the Journal of Trauma and Dissociation and European Journal of Psychotraumatology. Dr. Ford has published more than 250 articles and book chapters. He is coeditor of Treating Complex Traumatic Stress Disorders in Adults, Second Edition, and Treating Complex Traumatic Stress Disorders in Children and Adolescents, and coauthor of Treatment of Complex Trauma: A Sequenced, Relationship-Based Approach. His research focuses on developmental trauma disorder and the Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy (TARGET) therapeutic intervention.
