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Rebuilding Shattered Lives: The Responsible Treatment of Complex Post-Traumatic and Dissociative Disorders
Every therapist who has worked with adult survivors of severe child abuse is aware of the perils associated with helping to rebuild an adult psyche shattered in childhood. All too often, in their efforts to identify and go beyond the defenses and compensatory tactics of young victims who elect to numb themselves to the pain of abuse, many bright, well-meaning therapists find themselves hopelessly entangled in therapeutic and interpersonal traps. How, in today's increasingly litigious climate, can therapists be sure that they are pursuing the most rational and effective course of treatment while, at the same time, safeguarding themselves against common professional snares? This book may provide the answer.
In Rebuilding Shattered Lives, James A. Chu, MD, describes a proven approach to the assessment and treatment of post-traumatic and dissociative disorders developed at the Dissociative Disorders and Trauma Program at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Drawing on his extensive empirical research and more than a decade's clinical experience specializing in treating survivors of severe abuse, Dr. Chu also offers valuable insights into all the major areas of trauma-related symptomatology and provides the most detailed explanation of dissociative theory currently in print. And, with the help of numerous vignettes and case examples, he clearly illustrates common clinical dilemmas encountered when dealing with survivors of severe abuse as well as the most effective techniques for resolving them.
The book opens with an integrated, up-to-date account of trauma theory and symptomatology. Chapters focus on complex dissociative and post-traumatic symptoms, difficulties in development and maturation, amnesia and other traumatic memory problems, and differential diagnosis. In the following section, Dr. Chu outlines his treatment strategies and offers valuable guidelines on managing self-destructive behavior, controlling dissociative and post-traumatic symptomatology, and navigating the maze of the therapeutic relationship. Concluding chapters are devoted to special topics and include a review of the latest treatment strategies for dissociative identity disorder, crisis intervention, and working with regressed and "impossible" patients.
Rebuilding Shattered Lives is an important working resource for mental health workers of all levels of experience. Throughout, the writing style is clear, and complex theories are explained with an emphasis on how they provide the conceptual basis for a rational, responsible, and safe approach to treatment.
"A major contribution to the clinical trauma literature by one of the field's most experienced clinicians." --Christine Courtois, PhD author of Healing the Incest Wound
"Dr. Chu brings calm lucidity to controversies around trauma, integrates recent advances in the field with traditional therapy strengths and provides clinicians with a balanced and sensible phase-oriented treatment approach. Best of all, in this volume he has deepened his area of greatest strength, working with relational challenges faced and posed in therapy by individuals with complex post-traumatic disorders." --Denise J. Gelinas, PhD Harvard Medical School.
"Dr. James Chu charts a deliberate and thoughtful approach to the treatment of severely traumatized patients. Written in a straightforward style and richly illustrated with clinical vignettes, Rebuilding Shattered Lives is filled with practical advice on therapeutic technique and clinical management. This is a reassuring book that moves beyond the confusion and controversies to address the critical underlying issues and integrate traditional psychotherapy with more recent understanding of the effects of trauma and pathological dissociation." --Frank W. Putnam, MD.
In Rebuilding Shattered Lives, James A. Chu, MD, describes a proven approach to the assessment and treatment of post-traumatic and dissociative disorders developed at the Dissociative Disorders and Trauma Program at McLean Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Drawing on his extensive empirical research and more than a decade's clinical experience specializing in treating survivors of severe abuse, Dr. Chu also offers valuable insights into all the major areas of trauma-related symptomatology and provides the most detailed explanation of dissociative theory currently in print. And, with the help of numerous vignettes and case examples, he clearly illustrates common clinical dilemmas encountered when dealing with survivors of severe abuse as well as the most effective techniques for resolving them.
The book opens with an integrated, up-to-date account of trauma theory and symptomatology. Chapters focus on complex dissociative and post-traumatic symptoms, difficulties in development and maturation, amnesia and other traumatic memory problems, and differential diagnosis. In the following section, Dr. Chu outlines his treatment strategies and offers valuable guidelines on managing self-destructive behavior, controlling dissociative and post-traumatic symptomatology, and navigating the maze of the therapeutic relationship. Concluding chapters are devoted to special topics and include a review of the latest treatment strategies for dissociative identity disorder, crisis intervention, and working with regressed and "impossible" patients.
Rebuilding Shattered Lives is an important working resource for mental health workers of all levels of experience. Throughout, the writing style is clear, and complex theories are explained with an emphasis on how they provide the conceptual basis for a rational, responsible, and safe approach to treatment.
"A major contribution to the clinical trauma literature by one of the field's most experienced clinicians." --Christine Courtois, PhD author of Healing the Incest Wound
"Dr. Chu brings calm lucidity to controversies around trauma, integrates recent advances in the field with traditional therapy strengths and provides clinicians with a balanced and sensible phase-oriented treatment approach. Best of all, in this volume he has deepened his area of greatest strength, working with relational challenges faced and posed in therapy by individuals with complex post-traumatic disorders." --Denise J. Gelinas, PhD Harvard Medical School.
"Dr. James Chu charts a deliberate and thoughtful approach to the treatment of severely traumatized patients. Written in a straightforward style and richly illustrated with clinical vignettes, Rebuilding Shattered Lives is filled with practical advice on therapeutic technique and clinical management. This is a reassuring book that moves beyond the confusion and controversies to address the critical underlying issues and integrate traditional psychotherapy with more recent understanding of the effects of trauma and pathological dissociation." --Frank W. Putnam, MD.
271 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 6, 2018
This was a very readable book about complex trauma. I found this book to be very de-pathologizing of many of the challenges that individuals with complex trauma experience (e.g., the chapter about memory and the nature of trauma memories within the context of complex trauma was particularly useful in better understanding how to present this information to normalize clients' experiences and confusion around their memories). Although this is the second edition, there are several places where the content does not appear to have been updated with the most recent research (e.g., the section on self-harm and ensuring safety). On the flip side, there are several chapters where the information is very comprehensive and beautifully outlines some of the more recent debates in the field, and how these apply to clinical practice. I really appreciated the clinical vignettes.
October 17, 2011
An exceptional resource reflecting the latest research on the treatment of survivors of trauma and abuse, as well as drawing on Dr Chu's own fascinating clinical observations. A 'must-read' for anyone working in mental health or with an interest in memory, attachment and development. Brilliant.
June 20, 2022
Rebuilding Shattered Lives functions moreso as a history of trauma research as opposed to a treatment regimen or best practices for treating traumagenic disorders. For that reason, I've lowered its score.
With that in mind, this book does a wonderful job of delving into the field of psychology's history with trauma and tying these facts to how its influenced modern day psychology and how we view traumagenic disorders now, as well as current shortcomings within the field and criticism of how society itself handles trauma and abuse. It is data heavy, which I personally enjoy, and as such it functions well as an introduction to trauma research.
I would recommend this book to psychology students looking for more information on trauma research, those seeking to understand the history of psychology in regard to traumagenic disorders, and those looking to gain a basic understanding of how traumagenic disorders form and function.
With that in mind, this book does a wonderful job of delving into the field of psychology's history with trauma and tying these facts to how its influenced modern day psychology and how we view traumagenic disorders now, as well as current shortcomings within the field and criticism of how society itself handles trauma and abuse. It is data heavy, which I personally enjoy, and as such it functions well as an introduction to trauma research.
I would recommend this book to psychology students looking for more information on trauma research, those seeking to understand the history of psychology in regard to traumagenic disorders, and those looking to gain a basic understanding of how traumagenic disorders form and function.
April 27, 2015
An important work on treating those with the most traumatic histories. Well-written, succinct, & empathetic, Chu does a particularly effective job of discussing the therapeutic dance. I have shared portions of the book in session with clients, & it's been very powerful for them to come to a new understanding of themselves & their personal narratives. Very helpful for DID work.
March 16, 2021
This is very insightful, and I think great for therapists. Sometimes the heavy sourcing can be distracting, but I certainly see the purpose.
I probably don't recommend it for patients. It is highly academic, and some of the brief case histories and the more frequent discussion of the difficulties of treatment could be very discouraging for those who still need to heal.
It's unfortunate that this is so hard to find.
I probably don't recommend it for patients. It is highly academic, and some of the brief case histories and the more frequent discussion of the difficulties of treatment could be very discouraging for those who still need to heal.
It's unfortunate that this is so hard to find.
October 23, 2019
The content of the book was super useful, but very dense material. I found it hard to get through, nevertheless I plan on keeping this book forever on a "how to" on complex trauma.
April 25, 2024
Excellent book which thoroughly unpacks the history of trauma treatment, the diagnosis of trauma disorders, and effective interventions. Highly recommend.
February 27, 2025
Excellent resource. It is a very dense book, lots of information to absorb. Overall, it includes both historical observations and research, and provides a compassionate viewpoint on the challenges experienced in living with, and treating complex trauma.
June 2, 2008
A fantastic book on how to help those with these intriguing disorder.
December 30, 2008
realy good insight into ptsd
January 18, 2015
Excellent
I found it easy to read and very informative to my practice and study. I would gladly read more of his stuff
I found it easy to read and very informative to my practice and study. I would gladly read more of his stuff
December 20, 2020
Good textbook for trauma
August 20, 2025
I thought it tried to do a bit too much instead of narrowing its focus.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews