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The Trauma Tool Kit: Healing PTSD from the Inside Out
In 2010 the Department of Veterans Affairs cited 171,423 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans diagnosed with PTSD, out of 593,634 total patients treated. That’s almost 30 percent; other statistics show 35 percent. Nor, of course, is PTSD limited to the military. In twenty years as a therapist, Susan Pease Banitt has treated trauma in patients ranging from autistic children to women with breast cancer; from underage sex slaves to adults incapacitated by early childhood abuse. Doctors she interviewed in New York report that, even before 9/11, most of their patients had experienced such extreme stress that they had suffered physical and mental breakdowns. Those doctors agree with Pease Banitt that stress is the disease of our times. At the 2009 Evolution of Psychotherapy conference Jack Kornfield noted, “We need a trauma tool kit.” Here it is.
Most people, Pease Banitt says, experience trauma as a terminal blow to their deepest sense of self. Her techniques restore a sense of wholeness at the core level from which all healing springs. The uniqueness of her book lies in its diversity and accessibility. She assesses the values and limitations of traditional and alternative therapies and suggests methods that are universally available. Almost anybody can
Most people, Pease Banitt says, experience trauma as a terminal blow to their deepest sense of self. Her techniques restore a sense of wholeness at the core level from which all healing springs. The uniqueness of her book lies in its diversity and accessibility. She assesses the values and limitations of traditional and alternative therapies and suggests methods that are universally available. Almost anybody can
312 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2012
38 people are currently reading
910 people want to read
About the author
Susan Pease Banitt
4 books51 followersSusan Pease Banitt, LCSW, is a Harvard-trained psychotherapist, award-winning author, and pioneer in integrative trauma healing. With nearly five decades in mental health, she specializes in PTSD, dissociative disorders, autism spectrum conditions, and medical social work. Her work bridges Western clinical rigor with ancient and holistic traditions.
Susan is the author of The Trauma Tool Kit: Healing PTSD From the Inside Out, a practical guide that fuses neuroscience with spiritual practices, and Wisdom, Attachment and Love in Trauma Therapy, which explores heart-centered connection as the foundation of transformation. Her third book, Women Therapists on Healing: 11 Personal Essays About Overcoming Trauma (February 2026), brings together intersectional voices from across cultures and disciplines to illuminate what truly heals us.
She is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher, Holy Fire® III Karuna Reiki® Master, and trained past-life regressionist under Dr. Brian Weiss. Her advocacy has reached both the Oregon State Legislature and British Parliament. As a founding member of the Omega Institute’s Yoga Service Council, she co-authored Best Practices for Yoga with Veterans, advancing trauma-informed care through embodied service.
In recent years, Susan has also become an explorer in the emergent field of ethical AI and relational technology. Her current work includes co-developing a trauma-informed AI disclosure tool and writing on how love, presence, and coherence can guide the evolution of machine consciousness.
She lives and practices in Portland, Oregon at Lotus Heart Counseling and shares bite-sized wisdom on social media—including TikTok as @TheLightworkerWhisperer. In her free time, she enjoys RV travel, gardening, improv comedy, and still mornings with her dogs.
Susan is the author of The Trauma Tool Kit: Healing PTSD From the Inside Out, a practical guide that fuses neuroscience with spiritual practices, and Wisdom, Attachment and Love in Trauma Therapy, which explores heart-centered connection as the foundation of transformation. Her third book, Women Therapists on Healing: 11 Personal Essays About Overcoming Trauma (February 2026), brings together intersectional voices from across cultures and disciplines to illuminate what truly heals us.
She is a certified Kripalu Yoga teacher, Holy Fire® III Karuna Reiki® Master, and trained past-life regressionist under Dr. Brian Weiss. Her advocacy has reached both the Oregon State Legislature and British Parliament. As a founding member of the Omega Institute’s Yoga Service Council, she co-authored Best Practices for Yoga with Veterans, advancing trauma-informed care through embodied service.
In recent years, Susan has also become an explorer in the emergent field of ethical AI and relational technology. Her current work includes co-developing a trauma-informed AI disclosure tool and writing on how love, presence, and coherence can guide the evolution of machine consciousness.
She lives and practices in Portland, Oregon at Lotus Heart Counseling and shares bite-sized wisdom on social media—including TikTok as @TheLightworkerWhisperer. In her free time, she enjoys RV travel, gardening, improv comedy, and still mornings with her dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 20, 2021
This book has a great title and I was hoping it would be a good resource. Unfortunately, it is mostly a mish-mosh of legitimate psychological techniques combined with New Age herbal and spiritual suggestions.
My professional opinion is that the following books are better for various types of trauma recovery:
It's My Life Now by Meg Dugan
The Emotionally Abused Woman and the Right to Innocence, both by Beverly Engel
The Verbally Abusive Relationship by Patricia Evans
Toxic Parents by Susan Forward
Outgrowing the Pain by Eliana Gil
Survivor's Guide to Sex by Staci Haines
Journey Through Trauma by Gretchen Schmelzer
Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman
Shattered Assumptions by Ronnie Janoff-Bulman
In an Unspoken Voice by Peter Levine
Victims No Longer by Mike Lew
Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors by Janine Fisher
Seeking Safety by Lisa Najavits
Childhood Disrupted by Donna Nakazawa
If You Had Controlling Parents by Dan Neuharth
The Unsayable by Annie Rogers
Integrating the Shattered Self by Nicki Roth
8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery by Babette Rothschild
Strong at the Broken Places by Linda Sanford
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Complex PTSD by Pete Walker
Triggers: How We Can Stop Reacting and Start Healing by David Richo
There are other good ones too. Just wanted to give readers an idea of how many good books on trauma that exist. I've got over 100 books on my trauma shelf.
My professional opinion is that the following books are better for various types of trauma recovery:
It's My Life Now by Meg Dugan
The Emotionally Abused Woman and the Right to Innocence, both by Beverly Engel
The Verbally Abusive Relationship by Patricia Evans
Toxic Parents by Susan Forward
Outgrowing the Pain by Eliana Gil
Survivor's Guide to Sex by Staci Haines
Journey Through Trauma by Gretchen Schmelzer
Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman
Shattered Assumptions by Ronnie Janoff-Bulman
In an Unspoken Voice by Peter Levine
Victims No Longer by Mike Lew
Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors by Janine Fisher
Seeking Safety by Lisa Najavits
Childhood Disrupted by Donna Nakazawa
If You Had Controlling Parents by Dan Neuharth
The Unsayable by Annie Rogers
Integrating the Shattered Self by Nicki Roth
8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery by Babette Rothschild
Strong at the Broken Places by Linda Sanford
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Complex PTSD by Pete Walker
Triggers: How We Can Stop Reacting and Start Healing by David Richo
There are other good ones too. Just wanted to give readers an idea of how many good books on trauma that exist. I've got over 100 books on my trauma shelf.
January 22, 2013
As I write this, I hesitate to give my full disclosure, [full disclosure: I work with Susan Pease Banitt] because I think some of you won't read my review, or will dismiss it. But I have read the book, and I do work for her, and I would not stay at a job I didn't in some way believe was for the sake of bettering the world.
As I write this, our world is falling apart.
Some reviews of The Trauma Tool Kit claim, "I know this already." But many of us do know this already. So then why does it seem no one is practicing it or heeding it?
I'm guilty of this.
It's easy to read through this book, or even pass by this book, because we think: I don't have PTSD or I know that or That book's not for me. Or maybe we're deterred by the Self-Help section.
And yet, that's where we are in the world—having to help ourselves.
As I read the book, the revelation I had was twofold: First, I realized that I just might have suffered some trauma. I have been fortunate in the low degree of my trauma, but it has continued to affect me still to this day. And just taking that moment to think, and to look inside, has made a difference in how I see my past, how I live in the moment, and make plans for the future. It's this kind of meditation and thoughtfulness in our lives that should be able to keep us from the savage culture we are becoming—nay, have become. We live in a traumatic lifetime. I think back on the horrors of the recent past. Think about it. Think about the 20th century—that amazing time of innovation, progress, war. Do you think we do not still carry trauma? Every single one of us?
Which leads me to my second revelation: We must all commit to fixing this now. The final tool in the toolkit, Embracing Wholeness, summarized everything I had been thinking while reading the book. Not only do people who have been diagnosed with PTSD need to find help—the rest of us need to help prioritize providing this help. PTSD needs to jump into the limelight, and not in the way it's been discussed in mainstream media; that is no help to anyone. The conversation needs to be changed, and it needs to be louder and it needs to be broader. We cannot continue to ignore what is becoming an epidemic. Because every time another of our young men or women is deployed into battle, every time another woman is beaten or raped, every time a young boy is molested—and when each of these atrocities is lied about, covered up, and hushed—our world suffers and surrenders.
Look around us—soldiers who are supposed to be fighting for freedom are being tried for murder. And the people who send them there don't want anyone to talk about the PTSD they are diagnosed with.
Women are being raped, and instead of finding the rapist, we are blaming the victim.
Children are being shot in our schools. And the children who survived will suffer a great trauma.
And when our children see all of this happening, that merely perpetuates the problem.
The media use PTSD as a way to get ratings, then turn around and use the most sensational and traumatic video from war and terror.
Do we not see a cycle here? Do we not want to stop it?
In the book, Susan says:
"[P]ost-traumatic stress engenders profound changes in the physical body, not only in the victims but also in the victims' children and grandchildren, down [through] generations. The health problems that follow PTSD, both physical and emotional, affect our society in myriad ways: health-care costs; lost wages; lost productivity; crime; loss of intelligence (cognitive function); dysfunctional interactions that prevent problem resolution in marriages, businesses, and politics, etc. PTSD is a problem that snowballs with each succeeding generation. We have collectively had our heads in the sand about the issue. Now it is time to end the avoidance. PTSD hurts. PTSD kills. Untreated PTSD has the potential to unravel the very fabric of society."
If you know all the things in this book already, then share it with someone who doesn't. When you read it, did any of it remind you of anybody? If you don't know what's in this book, read it and find out.
Then use it. Use the tools Susan gives you. Use the tools you have.
One of the greatest tools we have as human race is communication. Read this book—then talk about it.
As I write this, our world is falling apart.
Some reviews of The Trauma Tool Kit claim, "I know this already." But many of us do know this already. So then why does it seem no one is practicing it or heeding it?
I'm guilty of this.
It's easy to read through this book, or even pass by this book, because we think: I don't have PTSD or I know that or That book's not for me. Or maybe we're deterred by the Self-Help section.
And yet, that's where we are in the world—having to help ourselves.
As I read the book, the revelation I had was twofold: First, I realized that I just might have suffered some trauma. I have been fortunate in the low degree of my trauma, but it has continued to affect me still to this day. And just taking that moment to think, and to look inside, has made a difference in how I see my past, how I live in the moment, and make plans for the future. It's this kind of meditation and thoughtfulness in our lives that should be able to keep us from the savage culture we are becoming—nay, have become. We live in a traumatic lifetime. I think back on the horrors of the recent past. Think about it. Think about the 20th century—that amazing time of innovation, progress, war. Do you think we do not still carry trauma? Every single one of us?
Which leads me to my second revelation: We must all commit to fixing this now. The final tool in the toolkit, Embracing Wholeness, summarized everything I had been thinking while reading the book. Not only do people who have been diagnosed with PTSD need to find help—the rest of us need to help prioritize providing this help. PTSD needs to jump into the limelight, and not in the way it's been discussed in mainstream media; that is no help to anyone. The conversation needs to be changed, and it needs to be louder and it needs to be broader. We cannot continue to ignore what is becoming an epidemic. Because every time another of our young men or women is deployed into battle, every time another woman is beaten or raped, every time a young boy is molested—and when each of these atrocities is lied about, covered up, and hushed—our world suffers and surrenders.
Look around us—soldiers who are supposed to be fighting for freedom are being tried for murder. And the people who send them there don't want anyone to talk about the PTSD they are diagnosed with.
Women are being raped, and instead of finding the rapist, we are blaming the victim.
Children are being shot in our schools. And the children who survived will suffer a great trauma.
And when our children see all of this happening, that merely perpetuates the problem.
The media use PTSD as a way to get ratings, then turn around and use the most sensational and traumatic video from war and terror.
Do we not see a cycle here? Do we not want to stop it?
In the book, Susan says:
"[P]ost-traumatic stress engenders profound changes in the physical body, not only in the victims but also in the victims' children and grandchildren, down [through] generations. The health problems that follow PTSD, both physical and emotional, affect our society in myriad ways: health-care costs; lost wages; lost productivity; crime; loss of intelligence (cognitive function); dysfunctional interactions that prevent problem resolution in marriages, businesses, and politics, etc. PTSD is a problem that snowballs with each succeeding generation. We have collectively had our heads in the sand about the issue. Now it is time to end the avoidance. PTSD hurts. PTSD kills. Untreated PTSD has the potential to unravel the very fabric of society."
If you know all the things in this book already, then share it with someone who doesn't. When you read it, did any of it remind you of anybody? If you don't know what's in this book, read it and find out.
Then use it. Use the tools Susan gives you. Use the tools you have.
One of the greatest tools we have as human race is communication. Read this book—then talk about it.
March 28, 2017
I am both a therapist and a survivor of trauma. . . I have read many books on this topic. I loved this book, as it has many good practical ideas to aid trauma survivors on their path to wellness. It delivers both empirical science and spiritual methods in the most compassionate way possible.
I have found that therapy for survivors is not a "one size fits all" method. What works for one person may be ineffective for another. Thank you Ms. Banitt . . .I am going to give some of your suggestions a try both personally and professionally. You are helping many with your thoughtful and compassionate work. :-)
I have found that therapy for survivors is not a "one size fits all" method. What works for one person may be ineffective for another. Thank you Ms. Banitt . . .I am going to give some of your suggestions a try both personally and professionally. You are helping many with your thoughtful and compassionate work. :-)
August 25, 2015
OK, I give up. I tried, I really, really tried to get into this book and to read it through but I got to page 64 and must put it down and move on to something more useful. Goodreads really does need an 'I tried to read this but could not finish it' button.
I just finished writing a really angry review on why I could not read this book. But that is not useful. My thoughts summarized:
-there is some decent 'Trauma 101' information here for those just learning about trauma and how it impacts people
-I appreciated that Banitt was thoughtful about how working on trauma can trigger responses in individuals.She realizes that even though people are working on healing exercises, those going through the book might be triggered by or experience strong emotions their work, which they will need to handle along the way
-I appreciated that Banitt offered a number of generally useful ideas for people who are triggered to help deal with their responses and get regrounded
-I liked that Banitt covered options for people to choose from and to build on to generate re-centering techniques that work for them rather than saying 'do this, do that'
-I also appreciated that Banitt took a compassionate approach to those who have experienced trauma in their lives
-I was really irritated by the repeated 'the Western Way is Wrong' references. There are many reasons that such a 'right-wrong' division of the world is problematic including: stereotypes are virtually never useful; such divisions entrench 'Otherness' of the 'opposite' culture; and, in this case, it seemed hypocritical in the extreme to criticize 'The West's' need to categorize and divide people in body vs. mind but then to turn around and divide and categorize an entire planet of people into so-called 'right' and 'wrong'
-The information (at least as far as I read) does not really offer anything new to those of us who have already done reading on the topic
-I took exception to Banitt's idea that 'forgiveness' is a necessary part of healing. That said, what Banitt seems to be talking about it not really 'forgiveness'. Instead, it seems to be more about 'letting go' and 'moving on'. Yes, letting go and moving on are important parts of healing. However, I fail to see what Banitt is trying to put a square peg into a round hole by trying to redefine the word 'forgiveness' (perhaps, as she claims the 'clinical definition' of the word is fundamentally different - I doubt that, but even so, why try to redefine the way that people in general - i.e. the type of people reading the book - would use the word forgiveness, whether they are religious or not, use the word?). Why does she not instead say what she seems to mean, that 'letting go' and 'moving on' are important?
--if Banitt really does mean actual 'forgiveness' then a) I still take exception to the rule; forgiveness is not necessary (and often harmful) while letting go and moving on are essential to moving on; and b) that section is poorly written because it really does seem to be about 'letting go' and 'moving on' rather than 'forgiveness' (and again, why not just call it that?)
-(the reason I finally put the book down) Banitt references individuals who had done self-validating 'research' on their past life regression techniques. Where I had a problem was that she puts this down uncritically and unquestioningly even though there are criticism and questions about this type of work (e.g. there is no way to prove, or disprove, the existence of past lives in the first place). The unquestioned acceptance of this type of so-called research without any acknowledgements of the questions that it might (and does) raise makes me question Banitt's credibility. If she is unable to see the concerns here, then how can I trust the interpretations she has made of the literature and research in other areas? How can I trust any research she herself might have done?
So, I have put the book down and will move on to other things. I really wish Goodreads had an 'I tried but just couldn't do it' button.
I just finished writing a really angry review on why I could not read this book. But that is not useful. My thoughts summarized:
-there is some decent 'Trauma 101' information here for those just learning about trauma and how it impacts people
-I appreciated that Banitt was thoughtful about how working on trauma can trigger responses in individuals.She realizes that even though people are working on healing exercises, those going through the book might be triggered by or experience strong emotions their work, which they will need to handle along the way
-I appreciated that Banitt offered a number of generally useful ideas for people who are triggered to help deal with their responses and get regrounded
-I liked that Banitt covered options for people to choose from and to build on to generate re-centering techniques that work for them rather than saying 'do this, do that'
-I also appreciated that Banitt took a compassionate approach to those who have experienced trauma in their lives
-I was really irritated by the repeated 'the Western Way is Wrong' references. There are many reasons that such a 'right-wrong' division of the world is problematic including: stereotypes are virtually never useful; such divisions entrench 'Otherness' of the 'opposite' culture; and, in this case, it seemed hypocritical in the extreme to criticize 'The West's' need to categorize and divide people in body vs. mind but then to turn around and divide and categorize an entire planet of people into so-called 'right' and 'wrong'
-The information (at least as far as I read) does not really offer anything new to those of us who have already done reading on the topic
-I took exception to Banitt's idea that 'forgiveness' is a necessary part of healing. That said, what Banitt seems to be talking about it not really 'forgiveness'. Instead, it seems to be more about 'letting go' and 'moving on'. Yes, letting go and moving on are important parts of healing. However, I fail to see what Banitt is trying to put a square peg into a round hole by trying to redefine the word 'forgiveness' (perhaps, as she claims the 'clinical definition' of the word is fundamentally different - I doubt that, but even so, why try to redefine the way that people in general - i.e. the type of people reading the book - would use the word forgiveness, whether they are religious or not, use the word?). Why does she not instead say what she seems to mean, that 'letting go' and 'moving on' are important?
--if Banitt really does mean actual 'forgiveness' then a) I still take exception to the rule; forgiveness is not necessary (and often harmful) while letting go and moving on are essential to moving on; and b) that section is poorly written because it really does seem to be about 'letting go' and 'moving on' rather than 'forgiveness' (and again, why not just call it that?)
-(the reason I finally put the book down) Banitt references individuals who had done self-validating 'research' on their past life regression techniques. Where I had a problem was that she puts this down uncritically and unquestioningly even though there are criticism and questions about this type of work (e.g. there is no way to prove, or disprove, the existence of past lives in the first place). The unquestioned acceptance of this type of so-called research without any acknowledgements of the questions that it might (and does) raise makes me question Banitt's credibility. If she is unable to see the concerns here, then how can I trust the interpretations she has made of the literature and research in other areas? How can I trust any research she herself might have done?
So, I have put the book down and will move on to other things. I really wish Goodreads had an 'I tried but just couldn't do it' button.
September 16, 2012
I must begin by disclosing that I won a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads. That being said:
While this book contains a lot of information that may be very helpful to those just beginning to understand PTSD, it doesn't really introduce anything "new". It includes basically the same things I've already learned within the last year of therapy and basic research into my condition. that's not to say that the things in this book aren't important for those dealing with PTSD. The truth is these things, this information is very important. It's just that, while this book may put these things in new words, new terms, it's not actually any new information that most haven't already garnered from other sources. It would definitely be helpful to those just learning about PTSD and how to cope with it, but is just another self-help book for those who have been dealing with PTSD for an extended period of time. An average resource overall.
While this book contains a lot of information that may be very helpful to those just beginning to understand PTSD, it doesn't really introduce anything "new". It includes basically the same things I've already learned within the last year of therapy and basic research into my condition. that's not to say that the things in this book aren't important for those dealing with PTSD. The truth is these things, this information is very important. It's just that, while this book may put these things in new words, new terms, it's not actually any new information that most haven't already garnered from other sources. It would definitely be helpful to those just learning about PTSD and how to cope with it, but is just another self-help book for those who have been dealing with PTSD for an extended period of time. An average resource overall.
April 22, 2019
As a long-standing Counselor, I found this book to be somewhat helpful and somewhat frustrating/lacking. I liked the beginning, which set a framework for me that seemed thoughtful and informative. I wanted to learn more about the one (and only one) client the Therapist Author worked with, and hit a wall with, but then who turned a corner on her own through spirituality. This doesn't help me. What did the Therapist do to encourage or help her maintain her spiritual growth? Seemingly nothing. The bulk of the book is a thrown together mix of tools. How do we use them, if we deem them worthy of use? I was extremely bored with the tedium. I'm left with a reminder of, and some information about, a vast amount of tools at my disposal. But I wanted examples of them put into practice. It all sounds very easy and scripted. I know that's not the case in reality. We all know this. And what do I do about those clients who have resistance BECAUSE of their past traumas? That's a huge aspect of the work, and one that's not acknowledged at all in this book (unless its in there in the overwhelming amount of information). The writing is good, the intention even better. Yet I have too many unanswered questions about practicalities.
May 7, 2022
3.5 stars
I found this book in looking for help for a loved one. Unfortunately, the truth of mental healthcare where I live is that— unless you are severe enough to need hospitalization— it can take several weeks to get help. I wanted some ideas of things we could try now. I thought this book was very helpful.
The author is a therapist and has experienced trauma herself, which gave her a very compassionate and understanding writing style. She shares quite a few ideas for starting on a healing journey. I like that she repeatedly states that not every idea will work for every person and to just work with what speaks to you. The way that the book is laid out makes it easy to skim through— or even skip— sections that don’t resonate with you. She includes all types of therapies and interventions and relates to a large variety of religions and also atheism. Overall, I found it quite helpful and it gave us some plans to get started on a path toward healing and also gave hope that healing is possible.
There were a few things in the book that made me uncomfortable… more than just not working for our particular situation, but made me question whether it was a good suggestion at all, which is why my rating was lower than I might normally give. I truly am grateful that I found this one.
I found this book in looking for help for a loved one. Unfortunately, the truth of mental healthcare where I live is that— unless you are severe enough to need hospitalization— it can take several weeks to get help. I wanted some ideas of things we could try now. I thought this book was very helpful.
The author is a therapist and has experienced trauma herself, which gave her a very compassionate and understanding writing style. She shares quite a few ideas for starting on a healing journey. I like that she repeatedly states that not every idea will work for every person and to just work with what speaks to you. The way that the book is laid out makes it easy to skim through— or even skip— sections that don’t resonate with you. She includes all types of therapies and interventions and relates to a large variety of religions and also atheism. Overall, I found it quite helpful and it gave us some plans to get started on a path toward healing and also gave hope that healing is possible.
There were a few things in the book that made me uncomfortable… more than just not working for our particular situation, but made me question whether it was a good suggestion at all, which is why my rating was lower than I might normally give. I truly am grateful that I found this one.
May 15, 2018
Very basic, introductory text. Heavy on alternate remedies. Nothing much to see here. Three stars for not triggering me.
May 26, 2019
Started out strong and I was really enjoying it. After about 4 chapters, it became less about healing and more of an educational book on Eastern religions.
June 5, 2020
Many things I knew already, but if working with trauma is new for you, this book is a good resource. Published in 2012, some items already feel dated.
April 6, 2023
2.5*
This was not the deep-dive I expected and unfortunately wasn't as interesting or useful as I thought it would be.
This was not the deep-dive I expected and unfortunately wasn't as interesting or useful as I thought it would be.
October 28, 2012
I won this book through Goodreads First Reads.
I have to start off stating that this would be a great book for people that are experiencing PTSD for the first time. As a person who has gone through it, it would have been a better ordeal if I had this book to guide me through that particular time period. I am familiar with a few of the different ways to cope but not all. It is written clearly and with enough details that it does help with finding solutions to coping with the disorder. For me, I find it enlightening with the explanations of other methods that I am not familiar with that I will pass this book to another person that is coping with the problem or any students that I know that are interested in learning more about dealing with the disorder.
I have to start off stating that this would be a great book for people that are experiencing PTSD for the first time. As a person who has gone through it, it would have been a better ordeal if I had this book to guide me through that particular time period. I am familiar with a few of the different ways to cope but not all. It is written clearly and with enough details that it does help with finding solutions to coping with the disorder. For me, I find it enlightening with the explanations of other methods that I am not familiar with that I will pass this book to another person that is coping with the problem or any students that I know that are interested in learning more about dealing with the disorder.
January 24, 2015
The book is true to its title - it is a great list of possible tools for people who have experienced and want to heal from trauma. As a clinician who focuses on trauma, many (if not most) of the tools were already familiar to me; however, I can see this book being very useful as a quick reference or for a trauma survivor exploring their options. The tools were not written in such a way that all tools could really be used to their full potential without the assistance of a therapist, but it's a great starting point and resource that is otherwise unavailable for survivors themselves.
April 7, 2017
I'll be entering a more comprehensive review of this book later, since I think it's deserving of a point-by-point rundown, but for now suffice to say that, despite its drawbacks (a too-credulous attitude toward alternative medicine, some benign-spirited but ultimately harmful cultural appropriation), this book is a wealth of information written by a compassionate, knowledgeable, and surprisingly funny author.
March 14, 2013
Clear, simple, easy, friendly and insightful tips to help get through the PTSD struggle. Felt like the author "got it". Friendly language and good advice that can be used right now. So far I like this in my reference library to be close at hand for quick relief ideas .
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews