Early Intervention for Trauma and Traumatic Loss

This authoritative volume describes the state of the science of early intervention for trauma and traumatic loss across the lifespan and in a variety of contexts. While few would dispute the importance of helping people cope with severe life stressors, important questions remain about how to identify those at risk for chronic problems and which interventions actually facilitate recovery over time. Following a review of current knowledge on the predictors and course of acute stress disorder, PTSD, and traumatic grief, the volume presents a range of early intervention models designed for very young children, older children, and adults. Authors examine the empirical literature and recommend evidence-based clinical strategies whenever possible, while delineating an extensive agenda for future research. Also covered are the lessons learned from early intervention with specific populations: 9/11 survivors, combat veterans, emergency services personnel, survivors of sexual violence, and others.

Brett T. Litz, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine and the Department of Psychology at Boston University. He is also Associate Director of the Behavioral Sciences Division of the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder at the Boston Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Litz is Principal Investigator on several research studies funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Defense to explore the efficacy of early intervention strategies in trauma, and he is currently studying adaptation to traumatic loss as a result of 9-11. In addition to conducting research on early intervention for trauma, Dr. Litz studies the mental health adaptation of U.S. military personnel across the lifespan, the assessment and treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder, and emotional numbing in trauma.