Working with the Developmental Trauma of Childhood Neglect: Using Psychotherapy and Attachment Theory Techniques in Clinical Practice

by Ruth Cohn

This book provides psychotherapists with a multidimensional view of childhood neglect and a practical roadmap for facilitating survivors' healing.

Working from a strong base in attachment theory, esteemed clinician Ruth Cohn explores ways therapists can recognize the signs of childhood neglect, provides recommendations for understanding lasting effects that can persist into adulthood, and lays out strategies for helping clients maximize therapeutic outcomes. Along with extensive clinical material, chapters introduce skills that therapists can develop and hone, such as the ability to recognize and discern nonverbal attempts at communication. They also provide an array of resources and evidence-based treatment modalities that therapists can use in session.

Working with the Developmental Trauma of Childhood Neglect is an essential book for any mental health professional working with survivors of childhood trauma.

Genres: Psychology, Mental Health

Audible Audio

Published April 11, 2023

About the author

I came of age as a therapist in the early 1980’s when the recent Women’s Liberation movement had just brought violence against women and children squarely into the public eye. Particularly sexual violence, long taboo was finally becoming exposed. Obviously it has gone in and out of the shadows since then, but that was an important “outing” that rapidly determined the direction of my work as a therapist.

I soon discovered that a vast majority of my clients came to therapy because they found relationship difficult to seemingly impossible. Long compelled by the conundrum of relationship (in part because it had been so difficult for me!) this became my specialty. I began to avidly study trauma, then barely known, as the PTSD diagnosis only came into being in 1980! When the 1990’s brought “the decade of the brain,” I became a dogged student of neuroscience, since trauma affects the ordinary function of brain and nervous system.

It wasn’t long before I learned that sexuality was a massive challenge for the traumatized and set out to add sex therapy to my tool box by becoming a certified sex therapist. Research verified that relationship and sexuality are indeed some of the most hard hit areas for the traumatized. What to do about this became my mission of the last 40 years.

I love my challenging work, continuing to see clients and couples for psychotherapy. I love writing and sharing what I continue to learn, with those too distant to visit, as sadly these problems are world wide.

In my spare time I am an avid bicyclist, baker of sourdough bread, and impassioned maker of artisan cheese. Perhaps my greatest gift as a therapist, is my attitude of undying hope and optimism. I certainly did not always have this. It was a wonderful bi-product of doing lots of personal work like the kind I do with clients now. I live happily in San Francisco with my husband of 31 years. I enjoy hearing from you!

Reviews

[Lara Facchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un testo fondamentale (finalmente tradotto in italiano per Raffaello Cortina) per comprendere il trauma da "neglect", cioè da incuria affettiva. R. Cohn afferma a voce alta una verità nota quasi esclusivamente ai clinici: la violenza intrafamiliare non si configura solo come un agito, ma spesso è costituito da continue privazioni: di ascolto, di comprensione, di rispetto, di presenza, di attenzioni. Il libro mette in evidenza gli effetti a breve, medio e lungo termine di questa deprivazione, analizzando le derive relazionali che queste mancanze trascinano. Vi sono moltissimi spunti di riflessione per pazienti e terapeuti, oltre che numerosi spunti critici verso la mitizzazione del rapporto genitori-figli, spesso disfunzionale e foriero di sofferenze. Consigliato.

[Katie Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

If we’re being so fr my prof for this class (goat Zink) told us the first week “you just have to assess which classes books you don’t need to read” and I’m sorry king but it’s your class. However I got 85% thru this book and while it’s subject matter was incredibly heavy the topics are important and necessary for therapeutic training (promise I’ll circle back bc Dan Zink quotes Ruth Cohn all the time)

[Merceda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little bit deep as it is written primarily for therapists vs. patients. Worth the read because it helps me uncover a bit more of my trauma from childhood. The neglect that permeated our household. From both my mom and dad. They didn't have a clue on how to relate to people or children.

[Eva Fedurcova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Veľmi potrebná literatúra, avšak doslova zohyzdená katastrofálnym slovenským prekladom ..