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Tamara McClintock Greenberg has written a much-needed book in the field of psychotherapy. In her Treating Complex Trauma. Combined Theories and Methods the reader can find a complete review of the main topics related to the treatment of complex trauma, in which she very successfully brings together extensive clinical examples, her own personal responses and the most up-to-date knowledge on the subject.
The book covers a wide range of key themes in the therapy of complex trauma. First of all, it offers an exhaustive overview of the main therapies available and a very rich research-based discussion of the most relevant topics in the field. Chapters cover themes such as: the distinction between PTSD and complex PTSD, the therapeutic alliance with patients affected by complex trauma, physical safety and management of the most important emotions in trauma therapy, the neurobiology of trauma, the relationship between trauma and the body, discussion regarding the diagnosis and clinical treatment of dissociation, suicide in complex PTSD, the link between trauma and substance abuse, the sociocultural factors that enter therapy, and, last but not least, vicarious trauma and the issue of self-care for the trauma therapist.
One of the strengths of this book is that all of these issues, and more, are treated with a very secular, critical, appreciative and disenchanted attitude, as is appropriate for a true scholar. At the same time, the style of writing and narrative is deeply rooted in the author’s experience of clinical activity and she does not shy away from exposing her style of conducting sessions and therapies (for example, her support for ‘clinical hypothesis testing’ and transparency), and offering her personal understanding and views on specific topics. Vignettes are sophisticated, detailed, illustrative and pleasant to read, representing thoughtful pieces in which the treated topic is illustrated in a very personal and valuable way for clinicians. At the end of some chap