Narrative Exposure Therapy: A Short-term Treatment for Traumatic Stress Disorders

Schauer (psychology U. of Konstanz Germany) et al. introduce mental health practitioners to narrative exposure therapy which integrates psychological rehabilitation with issues of human rights and dignity for use in the short-term treatment of traumatic stress disorders caused by organized violence torture war rape and childhood abuse. After description of the theoretical background rationale and elements of the therapy they detail how to use the approach in each session and deal with special issues like avoidance dissociation shame social pain guilt withholding information and ethics. A few excerpts from therapy are included. This edition has a new conceptual understanding of complex and social trauma. Annotation 2011 Book News Inc. Portland OR (booknews.com)