Doing Psychotherapy: A Trauma and Attachment-Informed Approach

by Robin Shapiro

How to start, do, and complete psychotherapy that is trauma-and attachment-based as well as culturally informed. Most books about doing psychotherapy are tied to particular psychotherapeutic practices. Here, seasoned clinical author Robin Shapiro teaches readers the ins and outs of a trauma- and attachment- informed approach that is not tied to any one model or method. This book teaches assessment, treatment plans, enhancing the therapeutic relationship, and ethics and boundary issues, all within a general framework of attachment theory and trauma. Practical chapters talk about working with attachment problems, grief, depression, cultural differences, affect tolerance, anxiety, addiction, trauma, skill- building, suicidal ideation, psychosis, and the beginning and end of therapy. Filled with examples, suggestions for dialogue, and questions for a variety of therapeutic situation, Shapiro’s conversational tone makes the book very relatable. Early- career therapists will refer to it for years to come, and veteran practitioners looking for a refresher (or introduction) to the latest in trauma and attachment work will find it especially useful.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Counselling, Mental Health

240 pages, Paperback

Published February 25, 2020

Reviews

[Wilme ("Vilmie") Steenekamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not an in depth book, but a good comprehensive book with a compassionate and integrative approach. A very good basis for therapists.

[Alanah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is both a wonderful primer for new clinicians and a book I will return to again and again. It’s breadth is wide, but there are strong currents throughout around attachment strengthening and really working with and being for your clients. I am a Shapiro fan already and have found her strategies to be incredibly effective in my work. Highly recommend for clinicians looking to learn or sharpen their skills across a wide range of issues you’ll come across in the therapy room.

[Whitney Dahlberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the applicable and organized format of this book.

[Asa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very clear and accessible book for learning therapists to explore some of the techniques, theories, and challenges related to treating trauma and attachment issues in their patients. I enjoy Shapiro's effective writing style and her emphasis on techniques, while also talking about the theoretical basis of said techniques. I think anyone looking to engage in long term therapy and even the more manualized approaches seen in CBT, for example, can get some great ideas and refreshers from this book. I enjoyed finding connections with the content of this book and things I have learned in my other classes, as well as using it to reflect on my internship experience so far.
I do not think this book is appropriate as an introductory text, so I would suggest it be read after an undergraduate course in psychology and some time in a clinical/counselling graduate program. This largely has to do with the very specific nature of the content, the use of some jargon, and that it is very brief on covering major concepts that you do need to already have some knowledge and experience with.
If a critique, though more likely just a suspicion of "I'll believe it if I see/do it", there are some of the direct techniques and dialogues from this book that I find unrealistic or think of as difficult to implement. I guess at the end of the day, it is more about using that as a general idea, getting more training, and then being able to apply it more specifically to appropriate patients. There is also, overall, a very strict theoretical focus on attachment style and trauma, at the silence of other theoretical lenses, but the book does acknowledge this and, indeed, says it is such a book. Plus, it does reinforce the idea of learning and growing with a range of theoretical lenses rather than sticking to your usual guns.
All in all, a very nice, quick book and a great read for any therapist in training. Certainly up there with Louis Cozolino's The Making of a Therapist: A Practical Guide for the Inner Journey.

[Nihou · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fabulous. It felt like have a psychotherapy trainer with me, guiding me through techniques that work and are valuable. I've already put some of them into practice, and the effect for the people who come to me has been really important. She is also like having a supervisor, as she helps you keep aware of yourself and your own limitations.

Shapiro's style is ever so good - she comes across as remarkably knowledgeable and experienced, yet her chapters are all really accessible, and give you a good understanding of what to use, when and why without overloading with complexities or high-faluting language.

Having her learning is useful, as she has pointers to other therapy schools of which I was unaware. This is a book I will return to again and again.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is directed toward new therapists, a primer on how to do therapy from a trauma/attachment perspective. While I’m not a new therapist anymore, I found it refreshing to see Shapiro lay out practical interventions in a way that reinvigorated my belief in therapeutic healing. This is not an in depth book but more of a menu of ideas, advice, and hope that I plan to reference for some of her practical interventions.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 this was a great primer! While it wasn’t an intensive training manual with info I’d never been exposed to before, this book covered so many clinical topics and made me super curious. Definitely recommend to baby therapists!!!

[Ally Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super easy-to-read book that broke down clinical knowledge in a tangible way. I enjoyed how they pulled from multiple modalities and showed specific examples. It’s a great book for newer clinicians or anyone who wants to revisit fundamentals.

[Andres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book with nice examples of questioning to approach certain patients

[Maksym Tkachenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book for those who are new to psychotherapy. There is also a lot of information for non-US therapists looking for a frame of reference.

[Rebecca Renfrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️…such great therapy stuff! Every new therapist should read this one!

[Megan Franey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for beginning therapists or interns! Super informative and had great resources. I think it could be beneficial for a refresher as well for therapists who have been in the practice for year!

[Anastasia Auld · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a great practical book that provides general overview and some ideas in relation to a variety presenting issues in therapy. A great tool for a beginner therapist or a student.

[Josolyn Weir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informative. Basic overview of therapeutic techniques and references to helpful modalities. Case examples explained. Took away some new techniques and ideas for future training opportunities.

[Des · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of checklists and suggestions. Not psychodynamic. American.