Transforming The Living Legacy of Trauma: A Workbook for Survivors and Therapists

by Janina Fisher

Traumatic experiences leave a “living legacy” of effects that often persist for years and decades after the events are over. Historically, it has always been assumed that re-telling the story of what happened would resolve these effects.

However, survivors report a different Telling and re-telling the story of what happened to them often reactivates their trauma responses, overwhelming them rather than resolving the trauma. To transform traumatic experiences, survivors need to understand their symptoms and reactions as normal responses to abnormal events. They need ways to work with the symptoms that intrude on their daily activities, preventing a life beyond trauma.

Dr. Janina Fisher, international expert on trauma, has spent over 40 years working with survivors, helping them to navigate their journey. In Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma, she shows how the legacy of symptoms helped them survive and

Genres: Psychology, Self Help, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Counselling, Health, How To

120 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2021

Reviews

[Kassi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This remarkable workbook completely changes the way a patient and therapist (or patient-driven only) approach trauma work together. Instead of rehashing, remembering, re-traumatising, this book simply asks the patient to look at their symptoms only. By addressing these symptoms in a systematic way, the patient is able to become more conscious of the effects of trauma in their life and start working toward dealing with the real problem which is how these symptoms affect their own behaviour and ways to override these symptoms.

This is done in a very gentle way that puts the patient in complete control of how deep they want to go, how immersive their experience can and should be, and brings a healing sense of empowerment and safety to the table rather than pain and suffering. The patient learns to appreciate all the amazing ways their body and mind has kicked in to protect them and can then choose, if appropriate, to turn these symptoms off or turn the volume down on these symptoms.

Since starting this workbook, I personally have experienced freedom from suffering I didn't even know I had from decades ago. It has completely changed the way I look at my life. I've also been able to recommend and gift this book to several people. Two family members who have received help from this book:

- A woman who recently ended a 7 year relationship in an abusive relationship and moved two states over to escape the turmoil who has been remarkably resilient in putting her life back together (working on this for the past 5 months)

- A teenager, recently out of in-patient care in a hospital for 10 days following 8 months therapy attempting to understand the confusion and debilitating fear regarding a near-death experience at school (speaks very appropriately to American culture re:gun safety, etc). The teenager is recovering slowly, but more quickly than previous as a result of using this book to explore her experiences.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has had a confusing experience that haunts them. This makes an amazing gift and I think it could even safe a lot of people's lives if put to good use. This workbook can be used with a therapist or as a self-directed therapy. Either way is just as valid and helpful.

[Veronica Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for any therapist who aspires to become a better trauma therapist and who would like to have some hands-on worksheet in their toolbox. It is a great supplement of resource to renowned and groundbreaking books such as the body keeps the score & the boy who was raised as a dog. Dr. Fisher weaved many practical worksheets, digestible psychoeducation pieces, and practical examples in the book with the hope to empower clinicians to become more trauma-informed, and to assist clients in the process of healing and recovery from traumas.

Not to compare the two, but as both Dr. Fisher and Dr. Schwartz incorporates concepts such as PARTS and SELF in their healing work, I would like to offer some thoughts on their approaches. Generally, I find myself taking a slight preference in Janina Fisher's approach to that of Richard Schwarz, whose work is much more spiritual, and in my opinion, a bit more elusive. Dr. Fisher utilizes a neuroscience perspective to explain how PARTS came to develop as survival mechanisms for us, and how they could manifest, and get triggered, in our present life. She believes that SELF could be created and encourages us to practice drawing on and further developing it through recalling the times when we got to use it and through strengthening our "noticing brain". Furthermore, trained in DBT and having witnessed firsthand how some of my clients' present tumultuous life could further exacerbate the effects of traumas, I lean more into the phased treatment model endorsed by this book, which is contrary to Dr. Schwartz' approach as he believes that with SELF being present, we could directly start the trauma reprocessing work with clients without having to foremost build safety and resources in them.

[Angy - Books Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorprendente! Ho scoperto questo libro, anzi manuale, da un consiglio su Instagram, sono appassionata di psicologia e, anche se immaginavo sarebbe stato molto "tecnico", ho deciso di provare a leggerlo.

In realtà è un libro scritto per tutti, sia "semplici" lettori che per chi ci lavora.

Suddiviso in vari capitoli aiuta a capire intanto cos'è un trauma e poi come andare avanti (spoiler, la mindfulness aiuta molto!!).

Alla fine di ogni capitolo ci sono delle schede da compilare se si vuole tenere traccia dei vari sintomi.

Secondo me per questa tipologia di traumi (soprattutto infantili), un libro non può bastare (anche l'autrice lo spiega molto bene) però è interessante capire come anche nella psicologia ci sono diverse correnti di pensiero riguardo le tecniche da seguire e come sia importante trovare un professionista che adotti quella più consona alla situazione.

Se siete appassionati della materia, molto molto consigliato. Scritto bene e scorrevole.

[Robert Bogue]

It’s a mixed bag. Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma: A Workbook for Survivors and Therapists has some profound insights – and also some frustrating perspectives that aren’t consistent with other works and without research cited. It makes it difficult to know which things are true, and which are not.

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[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's some really decent stuff in this little book. Most of it isn't mind-blowing if you've read other books about trauma, but I loved that concept that if you are feeling particularly distressed or having a strong negative reaction to something, that you should assume it's because of childhood trauma. There's no beating around the bush here. If you're feeling triggered, it's because of your traumatic past. And the book flat out encourages readers to instantly jump to that when they're feeling bad. None of this pussyfooting around while we try to guess what it might be from. We all know what it's from. Let's not pretend it could be anything else and get right to the heart of the matter. I love it.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the easiest ways I’ve found to engage with content that naturally doesn’t feel easy. I love this approach and feel more excited to integrate it into my journey.

[Anneke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having been trained in both Sensorimotor Psychotherapy as well in Janina Fisher's structural dissociation approach, this book fits well with all she already taught me. It is a very good working book to use with clients, lots of worksheets and information that is helpful. A very nice touch is the fact that Janina gives two introductions to the book: one for trauma survivors, one for therapists.

" The living legacy of trauma manifests in intense physical, perceptual, and emotional reactions to everyday things—rarely recognizable as past experience. These emotional and physical responses, called “implicit memories,” keep bringing the trauma alive in our bodies and emotions again and again, often many times a day."

And it is exactly this living legacy of trauma that my clients experience over and over again and in this wonderful practical book Janina Fisher takes the reader through the insights from brain science, to post traumatic coping, healing and recovery. The worksheets are very helpful and good. Another book that, together with her first book (healing the fragmented selves of trauma survivors) is a must read for trauma therapists and their clients.

Anneke Vinke PhD, Netherlands

[Jenny Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT book for therapists and clients of trauma. The book walks you through psychoeducation at a slow pace, includes worksheets for the client. The book is written where you can skip through parts that is beneficial. Janina includes internal family systems worksheets to help work through parts work with clients. HIGHLY recommend this resource. Janina also offers a digital and print flip chart for use with clients through her website.

[Christine Musello, Psy.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having participated in a consult group run by Dr. Fisher for about a year—and having attended her trainings—I knew this book would be useful to my practice with trauma survivors. It did not disappoint! It can be used as a PRN when a client needs to better understand his or her own neurobiology or it can be offered to highly motivated, intuitive clients in its entirety to help them structure their own work.

[Pietro Zerillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interessante ma non troppo. Janina Fisher rimane una delle figure più autorevoli del panorama psicologico e soprattutto del contesto “trauma”, ma forse questo libro, con le sue spiegazioni semplificate e a tratti ripetitive, vuole essere più per persone qualunque piuttosto che per addetti ai lavori. Non ho trovato, infatti, grandi nozioni in più rispetto a quello che ho già acquisito nel corso di laurea. Penso comunque che questo libro possa essere uno strumento utile con determinati pazienti.

[Amanda E Nielsen-Neely · Rating 2 out of 5]

Based on childhood trauma only

First half is about brain function and the whole thing shifts to childhood trauma. If your trauma wasn't primarily in childhood then the book is a waste of time. Seriously how does a baby's survival.instincts even relate to recovering from trauma. Waste of money.

[Marie Celano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to my clients who have experienced trauma. Janina Fisher has a very simple way of explaining complex processes. She helps people understand how their responses to their trauma have helped them to survive. She also helps to explore how their trauma has impacted their lives and leads them to be more kind and compassionate towards themselves.

[India · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. One of the best resources for everyday people on trauma recovery. This book is a bit more geared towards childhood trauma, but is applicable to everyone. I took off half a star just because we are always learning from new research and some of the worksheets were confusing or fell flat for me.

[Taylor McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a simple and quick read that I really appreciate on such a complex topic. This is perfect for both survivors and therapists, in my opinion. It takes the heavy topics from The Body Keeps the Score and gives you the readers digest version, including helpful worksheets, if those are your style. I highly recommend it!

[bibliophagy · Rating 5 out of 5]

i continue to be so impressed with the whole line of janina fisher's work. so relevant, comprehensive, trauma-informed, and kind. this workbook covers A LOT of information. could be helpful to work through with healing/helping professionals, but i would still recommend to anyone seeking to understand trauma and its impacts better.

[Erica Filer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best depiction of trauma and practical approaches for clinicians and clients. I can't recommend this enough to better understand and work through trauma (of course within the safety of working with a professional as distress, high intensity triggers and emotional dysregulation may occur).

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure how well this would have worked for me as an introduction to rauma work but as a review / grounding reimmersion, it was mostly very useful indeed. As usual, there were a few places where I disagree intensely based on my own lived experiences.

[Vicky L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Psychiatrist recommended this book. I read the whole thing in under a week. As someone with CPTSD my experience has been so confusing in terms with my identity. Turns out my body is just doing what it’s supposed to do when it experienced trauma lol who knew!!

Changed my life

[Froukje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heel goed boek over de werking van de hersenen bij trauma. legt heel goed en duidelijk uit dat je niet heel veel kan doen aan bepaalde gedrags issues en hoe je de cyclus van gedrag en trauma kan doorbreken.

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful guide for anyone seeking to understand unexplained emotional reactions. Dr. Fisher explains the brain’s response to past trauma and provides exercises to help identify and work with triggers.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply written for both survivors and therapists to understand, with helpful diagrams, healing from trauma.

[Kato · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great resource for those who experienced trauma and the people that help them.

[Angeliki A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for psychoeducation and stabilization work for people with PTSD and complex PTSD. Therapist and client friendly

[Kay Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very useful addition to the developing field of trauma recovery.

Janina has a wealth of knowledge and this shows.

[Jeff Shipman · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Helpful!

So glad to have been able to read this book! It was so helpful in understanding how trauma shows itself in our lives and how to work through healing of it. Thank you!

[Beelddenkend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good work book about trauma. I would recommend it to other people dealing with trauma's.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent tool for both therapist and client!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for class but I think it’s useful for anyone looking to get more in touch with their feelings around negative events

[Karen Jobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful

Really helpful and easy to use. Do pace yourself reading it though, it is straightforward to read but intense if you are applying it.

[Aslin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Does the job but feels a lot more like school work than selfcare.

The audiobook narrator, however? I could listen to her read the dictionary.