The Posttraumatic Growth Workbook: Coming Through Trauma Wiser, Stronger, and More Resilient

by Richard G. Tedeschi, Bret A Moore

People who experience trauma often struggle with its effects, but many men and women have found meaning in their traumatic event and now experience life differently. Written by two psychologists and experts on trauma psychology—including one of the key researchers on posttraumatic growth (PTG)—this unique, evidence-based, step-by-step workbook offers a new model for processing traumatic experiences in order to gain wisdom, strength, and resilience. There is no denying the psychological and physical costs of trauma, but suffering a traumatic experience does not necessarily mean you’ll develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and have to live with its debilitating long-term symptoms. While the process of recovering from trauma is difficult and painful, survivors also experience posttraumatic growth (PTG). And with the right approach to healing, the same challenges that create PTSD can also set the stage for a psychological rebirth. The Posttraumatic Growth Workbook expands the focus on posttraumatic stress and its related difficulties to include the significant potential for positive growth in the aftermath of trauma. With this guide, you’ll learn more about traumatic experiences and their short- and long-term effects, discover where you are in your own process, explore vulnerability as an important aspect of post-traumatic strength, identify and develop other strengths for coping with—and growing beyond—your trauma, and successfully integrate your experience into your personal story. Navigating the aftereffects of trauma is a difficult journey, but many people report having a new appreciation for life and feeling even more resilient after working through their traumatic event. Using this powerful, PTG-based workbook, you’ll find it’s possible to come out of your trauma even stronger and wiser.

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Ebooks, Psychology, Counselling

184 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2016

Reviews

[BooksKeepMeSane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book/workbook very much. It's filled with helpful information and it made me feel inspired and hopeful for a future with a little less anxiety and depression. I'd recommend this to anyone who has gone through or is currently going through some rough times.

[Jennifer]

this book The Posttraumatic Growth Workbook from Richard G. Tedeschi and Bret A. Moore was given to me for an honest review.
I enjoyed this book so much i really couldnt put it down.I found that the questions and what was written helped me to first understand and second to learn that this type of illness is a very inportant part of traumatic situations or events.
I find that this book could help those with anxiety and depression as well while though the author has indicated that anxiety and depression are symptoms of pstd.
I really think that if you find the need to improve yourself then read this book.it just might save your life or someone you love.

[Kevin Rumsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best self help books, I have read in years. The topic speaks to me, as I have been intentional on bettering myself. Especially , after a very challenging 4 years. Everyone who has the diagnosis of PTSD and their caregiver should read this book.

[Michelle]

Coming through anything, at your own pace, is the way to grow and go. This workbook shares a reader's journey, on his or her time frame.

[Alarice · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's hard to give this book a clear rating, because it excels in some areas but leaves out another massive area.

Overall, it is a very good workbook for mental health providers to use with clients AND for people to use on themselves (although i would always recommend getting professional help with PTSD). The authors do a great job explaining how trauma affects one's self. Throughout the book the authors give various self-report questionnaires such as a self-assessment of intrusive rumination and a self-assessment of the challenge to your core beliefs. Obviously these are not actual psychological assessments so providers should not rely on them, but they give pretty good baseline for people to see if they are improving or not.

My favorite chapter was Finding Meaning, Purpose, and Mission. I felt like the special attention to creating a path ahead and identifying a purpose/mission was fantastic. I would recommend that everyone at least read this chapter once!

The giant are this book left out was anger. While the chapter Processing Trauma and Its Aftermath does talk about elevation of emotions after a traumatic event, I do not think this book did anger/rage justice. The advice of "take a deep breath" seems like it wouldn't be very helpful with people with violent outbursts of anger. Individuals who have violent tempers due to trauma may not find this part very helpful.

I received this book in a giveaway, and I'm very glad that I got it! I'll be recommending it to people who I think could benefit from processing after a traumatic event.

[Yvonne Boettcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be very informative. They took long strides in giving the information about Trauma and what it can do to you. They give very important insights on how to deal with the over whelming Trauma and how to have coping skills and other options you have to take control.

[Jamie Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

PTSD into PTG. I have come so far in the past (almost five years now) but as this book triggers things, it reminds me I still have room for more growth. I am thankful for the growth that has occurred as I continue to work on redefining my story.

[Kate M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good workbook to use with clients in group or in session. Accessible exercises for resourcing and coping skills. I like the focus on reflection and appreciate the mention of grief and loss as part of trauma.

[Leslie Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most useful and powerful tools I have used in my practice helping women veterans heal from trauma. I can't recommend it highly enough.

[Liaken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reframing of trauma and how to grow from it instead of "just healing."

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t like it. Boring.

[Rod White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very practical approach to working in the relatively new modality of post-traumatic growth.