Understanding Trauma and Emotion: Dealing with Trauma Using an Emotion-Focused Approach

I recommend this scholarly and readable book to all concerned with the field of stress and trauma. Students and clinicians will find it equally beneficial.

Mardi J. Horowitz, M.D. Professor of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco and author of Stress Response Syndromes and Treatment of Stress Response Syndromes

This is a remarkably good book. One seldom sees such exquisite balance of scholarship, practical relevance and compassion for both client and counsellor. I recommend it most highly.

Michael J. Mahoney, author of Constructive Psychotherapy and Human Change Processes

Understanding Trauma and Emotion is an essential reference for all clinicians working in the area of trauma . . . and provides a comprehensive and very accessible account of the emotion-focused model of psychological trauma.

Michelle A. Webster, PhD, Institute for Emotionally Focused Therapy, Sydney

How do we help the traumatised?

How can we better understand someone who has faced death, violence or imprisonment?

Traumatic experiences can leave an indelible impression on those involved, one which the person may suppress or re-live with destructive and troubling consequences. For many traumatised individuals the essence of their trauma is deeply emotional: terror, anger, anxiety.

Colin Wastell interprets the modern understanding of the traumatic process and presents his own model based on extensive research. He examines the role of emotion in human function and in particular its role in the experience of trauma and effective trauma treatment.

Wastell’s approach is grounded in practical treatment and the way emotion-focused therapy can be used to benefit the therapist and client. Using extensive case studies and making clear links between theory and practice, Wastell presents an innovative practice manual for the counsellor and psychologist interested both in trauma treatment and human emotion. These principles for understanding trauma will also assist health professionals, including nurses, doctors, ambulance officers, social workers, religious leaders, emergency services workers and police officers, to help their clients.

This book is also supported by a website, containing a full report of the author’s research at: www.allenandunwin.com/trauma.asp

Colin Wastell Ph.D. is Senior Lecturer in the Psychology Department and former founding director of the counselling psychology program at Macquarie University, Sydney. He has been involved in counselling and psychotherapy practice, research and training for over 15 years in a variety of contexts. His work on trauma has included both civilian and military survivors across a wide spectrum of the adult age range.