Looking Through the Eyes of Trauma and Dissociation: An Illustrated Guide for EMDR Therapists and Clients

by Sandra L. Paulsen

The triumph of this book is its emphasis on giving voice to disowned parts of self. Recent advances in the fields of trauma and dissociation have revolutionized treatment. In this book, Dr Paulsen uses over 100 of her original cartoons and an approachable format to telegraph key concepts. The book assists therapists and clients to collaborate about client symptoms and therapy. As an EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) practitioner since 1991, and an instructor of popular workshops about ego state therapy and dissociation for 15 years, Dr Paulsen offers proven metaphors, discussion and case examples. The highly visual format accommodates two audiences. Readers who want a light approach can focus on cartoons and cases. Those who want technical details and references will find them too. In a non-triggering style, the book describes a safe approach to stabilizing emotions and, later, a procedure that may include EMDR to detoxify traumatic memories.

Genres: Psychology

276 pages, Paperback

First published February 23, 2009

Reviews

[Iona Wayland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for clinicians and clients alike!

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
A little bit disjointed. I liked that the pages were quick reads, and it was sometimes hard to see how it all fit together because each piece was pulled out to be discussed separately. This seems like a good overview of some things to consider, and I'm interested in learning more of the finer details of ego state therapy and supporting clients with various levels of dissociation using EMDR.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for any clinicians working with dissociative clients using EMDR or IFS. It explains things in a very easy way to understand and provides clinicians with great tools.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on integrating ego state work into one’s clinical practice. Paulson does an amazing job breaking down complicated theories and making them accessible.

[loeilecoute · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly excellent and clever book to help therapists understand very complex processing of dissociative patients in therapy, primarily EMDR. Presented in a unique format as cartoons that represent the different internal parts of the patient, it renders the understanding of very sophisticated processing techniques to a simple view of the "kids" in their "conference room." It includes ideas for healing that can be used in other types of therapy.

All in all, this is unexpectedly one of my favorite therapy books because it contains so many interesting therapeutic techniques in an understandable and memorable manner that is enjoyable to experience.

I have recommended it to some of my patients as well, but they find the material overwhelming.

[Kasey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent tips for helping dissociative/DID clients prepare for EMDR re-processing.

[Marloes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource to use with dissociative clients, from mild symptoms to full Dissociative Identity Disorder.