Coping with Trauma: Hope Through Understanding

by Jon G. Allen

Combining years of research, teaching, and experience treating trauma survivors, Dr. Jon G. Allen offers compassionate and practical guidance to understanding trauma and its effects on the self and relationships. "Coping With Trauma" is based on more than a decade of Dr. Allen's experience conducting educational groups for persons struggling with psychiatric disorders stemming from trauma. Written for a general audience, this book does not require a background in psychology. Readers will gain essential knowledge to embark on the process of healing from the complex wounds of trauma, along with a guide to current treatment approaches.

In this supportive and informative work, readers will be introduced to and encouraged in the process of healing by an author who is both witness and guide. This clearly written, insightful book not only teaches clinicians about trauma but also, equally important, teaches clinicians how to educate their patients about trauma.

Reshaped by recent developments in attachment theory, including the importance of cumulative stress over a lifetime, this compelling work retains the author's initial focus on attachment as he looks at trauma from two perspectives. From the "psychological perspective," the author discusses the impact of trauma on emotion, memory, the self, and relationships, incorporating research from neuroscience to argue that trauma is a physical illness. From the "psychiatric perspective," the author discusses various trauma-related disorders and symptoms: depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and dissociative disorders, along with a range of self-destructive behaviors to which trauma can make a contribution.

Important updates include substantive and practical information on - Emotion and emotion regulation, prompted by extensive contemporary research on emotion--which is becoming a science unto itself. - Illness, based on current developments in the neurobiological understanding of trauma. - Depression, a pervasive trauma-related problem that poses a number of catch-22s for recovery. - Various forms of self-destructiveness--substance abuse, eating disorders, and deliberate self-harm--all construed as coping strategies that backfire. - Suicidal states and self-defeating aspects of personality disorders.

The author addresses the challenges of healing by reviewing strategies of emotion regulation as well as a wide range of sound treatment approaches. He concludes with a new chapter on the foundation of all healing: maintaining hope.

This exceptionally comprehensive overview of a wide range of traumatic experiences, written in nontechnical language with extensive references to both classic and contemporary theoretical, clinical, and research literature, offers a uniquely useful guide for victims of trauma, their family members, and mental health care professionals alike.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Psychiatry, Mental Health

354 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Jon G. Allen, Ph.D., holds the position of Clinical Professor as a member of the Voluntary Faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Baylor College of Medicine. He is a member of the honorary faculty at the Houston Center for Psychoanalytic Studies and the adjunct faculty of the Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center. He retired from clinical practice as a senior staff psychologist after 40 years at The Menninger Clinic, where he taught and supervised fellows and residents; conducted psychotherapy, diagnostic consultations, and psychoeducational programs; and led research on clinical outcomes. He continues to teach, write, and consult.

Reviews

[Melissa H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A definitive book (along with Trauma & Recovery) on helping people understand their own trauma. This is especially powerful for helping individuals understand attachment trauma and why safe attachment is so critical to true healing. This has been a powerful aid to both clients and family members struggling to make sense of trauma and PTSD. Excellent resource.(

[Rabbit {Paint me like one of your 19th century gothic heroines!} · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. It covers a broad spectrum of PTSD, from soldiers to sexual assault victims, to any kind of victimization. It is also great for those who don't understand academic psychology and explains with simplicity without talking down. Highly recommended. I am using this book to help me deal with my PTSD.

[Rod White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jon Allen writes so well! It is great to read a book about a complex and deep subject that is so lucidly presented and even accessible to the clients he cares for. He does not integrate Christianity with his practice in any notable way, so the book needs some unpacking for people travelling with Jesus.

[Frances Koziar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for anyone with PTSD or a history of trauma. It's huge and a slow read, but extremely helpful for understanding the reasons behind your symptoms and behaviour and how to move forward. This leans on the clinical/scientific side rather than the practical-in-the-short-term self-help side but all terms are explained and this is a great companion to other books, for long-term healing/therapy. Helps you analyze yourself and get to the source of your problems and reactions. Excellent.

[Kavish · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is very long. More than 315 pages.I got quite bored while reading it and there's also some psychobabble.It took me 8 hours to finish this book and I believe most of my time was wasted.
The author does explain trauma and different options that you can use to heal your trauma.He could have said what he needed to say in fewer words, like in 180 pages instead of 315 pages.

[LeaAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading by my practicum supervisor. Excellent resource and great starting point for working with the effects of trauma.