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Re-Write: A Trauma Workbook of Creative Writing and Recovery in Our New Normal
Attachment theory-based treatments including depth psychology, somatic psychology, holistic therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) are becoming even more popular and desired by clinicians, health systems, and the patients they care for. Up until recently, cognitive behavioral therapy and medication management were the mainstays for trauma-informed care, although we are witnessing a demand for a more somatic, holistic, and, therefore, deeper level of treatment to target attachment injury and change/re-write the trauma narrative. This book provides the response and tools to meet this current need.
Due to the pandemic, lockdowns, and significant changes in our stability, the economy, sense of belonging, and community, there is a heightened level of triggering which has resulted in multifactorial trauma responses. The devastating traumatic impact spans nations, ages, and socioeconomic statuses. Unfortunately, domestic violence, child abuse, substance use, medical trauma, self-injury, suicide, and violence turned outwards have all increased significantly in the past two years.
This workbook focuses on the healing journey of the trauma survivor, utilizing easy-to-use methodologies for long-lasting effects. It includes various exercises, writing prompts, coping mechanisms, and soothing techniques with the intention of allowing the person to create an individualized experience. This empowers the person to go in the order they choose, experiment with different techniques from different modalities, and find the ones that meet their needs the best. The authors also address generational trauma, societal trauma, and trauma at the family and individual levels, and their work can be used in conjunction with a clinical treatment plan or by the end user.
A Trauma Workbook of Creative Writing and Recovery in Our New Normal employs practical strategies using evidence-based methodologies with psychological theory within a human-centered design framework.
Due to the pandemic, lockdowns, and significant changes in our stability, the economy, sense of belonging, and community, there is a heightened level of triggering which has resulted in multifactorial trauma responses. The devastating traumatic impact spans nations, ages, and socioeconomic statuses. Unfortunately, domestic violence, child abuse, substance use, medical trauma, self-injury, suicide, and violence turned outwards have all increased significantly in the past two years.
This workbook focuses on the healing journey of the trauma survivor, utilizing easy-to-use methodologies for long-lasting effects. It includes various exercises, writing prompts, coping mechanisms, and soothing techniques with the intention of allowing the person to create an individualized experience. This empowers the person to go in the order they choose, experiment with different techniques from different modalities, and find the ones that meet their needs the best. The authors also address generational trauma, societal trauma, and trauma at the family and individual levels, and their work can be used in conjunction with a clinical treatment plan or by the end user.
A Trauma Workbook of Creative Writing and Recovery in Our New Normal employs practical strategies using evidence-based methodologies with psychological theory within a human-centered design framework.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2023
3 people are currently reading
786 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 17, 2023
3.5* bumped up to 4*
**Important note about this review: Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately I ran out of time to read all of it before it archived, so I skimmed through, so these are my general impressions...
The "new normal" framework refers to the covid-19 pandemic and how even things that are not traditionally considered traumatic can generate traumatic responses. So, if some of your reactions, behaviors, mental states have changed since either covid or some major event/life experience, or if you've always felt that your childhood wasn't *that* bad but you have long-term mental health issues, this could be an excellent complement to therapy. Of course it should not replace treatment by a mental health professional.
I do worry that it's trying to be two things at once and not 100% successful, particularly when the pronouns/tone kind of jumps around - because it's meant for a clinician/clinician in training to understand the trauma-informed approach AND to be a workbook for people to deal with their trauma. I think that someone without any background in trauma-informed therapy/coaching might find it a bit difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff.
But if like me, you've read, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma and wanted to dig deeper and do some exercises that help deal with trauma and traumatic experiences, this would be an excellent "next step" resource and more accessible/affordable than EMDR or other modalities mentioned in that book.
I'm looking forward to trying their 321 method and doing some of the exercises!
**Important note about this review: Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately I ran out of time to read all of it before it archived, so I skimmed through, so these are my general impressions...
The "new normal" framework refers to the covid-19 pandemic and how even things that are not traditionally considered traumatic can generate traumatic responses. So, if some of your reactions, behaviors, mental states have changed since either covid or some major event/life experience, or if you've always felt that your childhood wasn't *that* bad but you have long-term mental health issues, this could be an excellent complement to therapy. Of course it should not replace treatment by a mental health professional.
I do worry that it's trying to be two things at once and not 100% successful, particularly when the pronouns/tone kind of jumps around - because it's meant for a clinician/clinician in training to understand the trauma-informed approach AND to be a workbook for people to deal with their trauma. I think that someone without any background in trauma-informed therapy/coaching might find it a bit difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff.
But if like me, you've read, The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma and wanted to dig deeper and do some exercises that help deal with trauma and traumatic experiences, this would be an excellent "next step" resource and more accessible/affordable than EMDR or other modalities mentioned in that book.
I'm looking forward to trying their 321 method and doing some of the exercises!
May 10, 2023
Amazing Trauma Workbook for Professionals and the General Public
As an addictions nurse whose company follows a trauma-informed approach, I'm completely fangirling over this book! I like how it's written by professionals (a counselor and a psychiatrist) using evidence-based research. Trauma is a complex topic, but the authors make it accessible and actionable, beneficial for anyone who has trauma in their past or present AND those who work with it. Yes, some general readers may find parts of this workbook a challenging read, and the questions it poses for creative writing are not simple, as they often are in workbooks like this. But it’s worth the effort, as the book would have a unique ability to help a person understand their trauma, bring it to light (so it holds less power), and heal it as the reader adjusts to their new normal. The book is a true workbook—not all that proclaim to be are—and it also has information to help you better understand trauma concepts, your trauma, and what you will write about. If you consider that you have any type of trauma, from childhood or adulthood… or even the recent mass global traumatization we all suffered from COVID-19, I highly recommend this book. Also, if you are a clinician like me who works with a population known to have trauma, you will appreciate the insights it gives you that will help you help your patients.
I received a free copy of this workbook, but that did not affect my review.
As an addictions nurse whose company follows a trauma-informed approach, I'm completely fangirling over this book! I like how it's written by professionals (a counselor and a psychiatrist) using evidence-based research. Trauma is a complex topic, but the authors make it accessible and actionable, beneficial for anyone who has trauma in their past or present AND those who work with it. Yes, some general readers may find parts of this workbook a challenging read, and the questions it poses for creative writing are not simple, as they often are in workbooks like this. But it’s worth the effort, as the book would have a unique ability to help a person understand their trauma, bring it to light (so it holds less power), and heal it as the reader adjusts to their new normal. The book is a true workbook—not all that proclaim to be are—and it also has information to help you better understand trauma concepts, your trauma, and what you will write about. If you consider that you have any type of trauma, from childhood or adulthood… or even the recent mass global traumatization we all suffered from COVID-19, I highly recommend this book. Also, if you are a clinician like me who works with a population known to have trauma, you will appreciate the insights it gives you that will help you help your patients.
I received a free copy of this workbook, but that did not affect my review.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews