Spiritually Oriented Psychotherapy for Trauma

Trauma can impact people not only psychologically, socially, and physically, but spiritually as well. Recent clinical research has shown that psychotherapists working with traumatized clients can foster better outcomes if they exercise sensitivity to their clients' spiritual needs. This book addresses a wide range of different client presenting problems, with a specific focus on relational forms of trauma, such as sexual abuse, partner violence, and other familial forms of trauma. It includes case studies that highlight how to assess and help clients process these and other types of trauma, including war and natural disasters. The case studies illustrate multiple facets of spirituality rather than explaining it as merely a source of anxiety reduction, social connectedness, or control. Readers will learn how to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy forms of spirituality, and how to apply spiritually-oriented practices within their own setting, theoretical framework, and unique client populations. They wi

Donald F. Walker , PhD, directs the Child Trauma Institute, an interdisciplinary research center devoted to understanding the role of religious faith in recovery from childhood abuse, treating survivors of child abuse, and training professionals in addressing spiritual issues in treatment. Dr. Walker also teaches in the PsyD program in clinical psychology at Regent University, Canada. As a professor, he teaches courses on trauma and clinical child psychology and supervises students at all levels of the program. He is a member of the APA Division 36 (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) and 56 (Trauma Psychology). He is also the founder and executive director of Tidewater Child and Family Behavioral Health Center, PLLC, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is a clinical child psychologist and treats children, teens, and families. Christine A. Courtois , PhD, ABPP, is a board certified counseling psychologist in independent practice in Washington, DC, USA and national clinical trauma consultant at Elements Behavioral Health/Promises. Dr. Courtois has published three books in conjunction with Dr. Julian Ford on the topic of complex trauma and its treatment. She lectures widely and is currently chairing a committee on developing treatment guidelines for posttraumatic stress disorder for APA. She is the recipient of a number of professional awards, among them the APA Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology as a Professional Practice and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies Sarah Haley Award for Clinical Excellence. Jamie D. Aten , PhD, is the founder and codirector of the Humanitarian Disaster Institute and Dr. Arthur P. Rech and Mrs. Jean May Rech Associate Professor of Psychology at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois, USA. Dr. Aten's interests include the psychology of religion and disasters, disaster spiritual and emotional care, and faith-based relief and development. He has received more than $2 million in external funding to study disasters, trauma, and faith issues around the globe. He is also the coeditor or author of seven books (in print or press). For his work he has been recognized with APA's Division 36 (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) Margaret Gorman Early Career Award and Mutual of America Merit Finalist Award.