The Simple Guide to Complex Trauma and Dissociation: What It Is and How to Help

by Betsy De Thierry, Emma Reeves (Illustrator), Graham Music (Foreword)

· How does complex trauma differ from trauma?· What is dissociation?· How does it affect children?· How can you help?These questions and more are answered in this guide to understanding the nature of complex trauma and dissociation, making these seemingly complicated topics accessible to all.Complex trauma and dissociation is a subject around which there is much confusion and misunderstanding. This can lead to children lacking the support they really need, and even misdiagnosis of the problems they are really struggling with. Written as a complement to The Simple Guide to Child Trauma, this book aims to inform, clarify and deepen the understanding of complex trauma and resulting dissociation. It also provides practical advice for those caring for or working with these children.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

146 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 21, 2020

About the author

Betsy de Thierry is a trained psychotherapist and a qualified primary school teacher who has founded several charities that work directly with troubled families.

Reviews

[Analie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this little book. De Thierry takes topics that often overwhelm families and providers and explains them in friendly, easy-to-understand language and illustrations. In doing so, she does a beautiful job at humanizing children and adults who are often misunderstood by society.

[Jenny Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple guide, but packed with helpful and digestible information about Types I, II and III trauma with illustrations and infographics drawn from the author's extensive experience as a psychotherapist specialising in trauma recovery.

de Thierry not only identifies a section of ways trauma can present and some of the neurological explanations for them, but her firm belief in the possibility of recovery will throw a much-needed rope to many parents, bringing solid advice for navigating the fallout of terrible, life-changing experiences without either blame or shame.

Her simple guides are very readable, refreshingly accessible and full of both theory and applications as well as researched and cited evidence. I strongly suggest you invest in them all and spread the word that psychotherapy and counselling does not have to be gobbledygook.

[Rachel Banham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading for anyone working with traumatised children. Betsy takes complex theories on a very complex subject and interwoven with her own successful approach delivers an accessible read for those needing to understand complex trauma.

[Abby Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend Betsy's Simple Guide series enough! As a social worker I recommend them to foster carers all the time. They break down abstract concepts and theories into every day language with practical takeaways.

[James Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent and approachable read for anyone working with children. Chapter nine was brillant and focuses on caring for yourself just as much as the traumatised child you work with. As a SEN teacher, which can be difficult, I really valued this book.

[mei · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book I give to everyone who knows about my DID to help them understand. It was the first book I read after my diagnosis and it was immensely helpful.

[Erin Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable and easy to read guide for survivors and professionals working with children and young adults