Treating Adult Survivors of Childhood Emotional Abuse and Neglect

"[CBP] is the latest of the longer-term treatment models and is notable for its sophistication and its flexible approach….It is a most welcome addition to the treatment literature for complex trauma, specifically as it addresses what has previously been an often underidentified component: the insidious and damaging effects of emotional abuse in childhood."--from the Introduction by Christine A. Courtois, PhD, ABPP, private practice (retired), Washington, DC; consultant and trainer, trauma psychology and treatment, Bethany Beach, Delaware

"This excellent book is pivotal in helping therapists reach out to their traumatized clients’ profound sense of annihilation and facilitate healing from emotional abuse and neglect. The authors present a superb account of their treatment model, which masterfully integrates the key components of truly helpful psychotherapy. Reading the appealing, illuminating clinical examples is a great privilege. This volume is a 'must read' for novice and experienced therapists alike, as well as students."--Onno van der Hart, PhD, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology (Emeritus), Utrecht University, The Netherlands

"CBP brings both wisdom and compassion to the challenge of working therapeutically when on the very edge of--and at times, thrown into--the abyss of dysregulation and dissociation that is complex trauma. The core principles and case studies reflect a deep understanding of the adult survivor’s experience as well as the importance of therapist self-awareness and self-reflection. This book's exploration of the therapeutic process is a valuable counterbalance (and complement) to manualized approaches to complex trauma therapy."--Julian D. Ford, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychiatry, University of Connecticut Health Center

"The authors have written a tightly reasoned and empathic book on the psychodynamic treatment of complex trauma. It is especially focused on the therapeutic relationship, the clinician's and client’s internal experience, the role of dissociative 'parts,' and mind–body theories. Although this book diverges to some extent from my own perspective, it offers a balancing force in the face of more manualized, shorter-term models. I salute it for its intelligence and clinical wisdom, and recommend it as a thought-provoking and valuable addition to our current approaches."--John Briere, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Emeritus), Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

"This book offers a very fine overview of the process of individual therapy with survivors of trauma--although, truth be told, many of its insights apply to therapy with virtually all clients. It will be especially useful for early-career therapists who may not yet fully realize the complexity and importance of their relationship with the client. A major strength of this book is its ongoing exploration of the impact of various aspects of trauma (such as dysregulation) on the therapist and the therapist's responses."--Pamela C. Alexander, PhD, private practice, South Natick, Massachusetts -