Countertransference in the Treatment of PTSD

by John P. Wilson Phd (Editor), Jacob D. Lindy MD (Editor)

Overview

It is now widely recognized that mental health professionals who work with trauma victims are themselves at risk for powerful countertransference reactions (CTRs), vicarious victimization, and stress-related "burnout." This volume is the first book in the field of traumatic stress studies to systematically examine the unique role of countertransference processes in psychotherapy outcome. Emphasizing the need for carefully deliberated action, this volume offers vital new insights into the victim-healer relationship and presents detailed techniques to promote awareness of affective reactions for anyone working with sufferers of PTSD and its comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse.

Part I introduces readers to theoretical and conceptual foundations of countertransference in post-traumatic therapies. Illustrated with case examples, the relationship of empathic strain to countertransference and two types of therapist defenses are examined. Chapters in Part II discuss countertransference issues that arise in the treatment of victims of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, including survivors of rape and early childhood trauma; children traumatized by urban violence; patients with multiple personality disorder; and acutely traumatized children.

Part III examines therapists' reactions in work with victims of war trauma, civil violence, and political oppression, as well as other groups whose trauma must be understood in specific cultural and historical context. Explicit examples of avoidant and overidentification responses are presented. Finally, Part IV expands the discussion of trauma and countertransference to survivors of both direct and indirect trauma, such as that of rescue workers who, during natural disasters, are exposed to the threat of the disaster and the plight of those they attempt to help. Throughout, case vignettes illustrate the signs and symptoms of trauma-specific CTRs as they unfold during treatment. The roles through which clinicians can successfully engage survivors are also detailed.

Rich with explicit suggestions for providing compassionate and intelligent care, this insightful volume is ideal for psychotherapists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals working with people suffering from PTSD. Similarly, Countertransference in the Treatment of PTSD is a valuable classroom text for courses dealing with the treatment of trauma victims and its implications for psychotherapists.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780898623697
Publisher:	Guilford Publications, Inc.
Publication date:	03/10/1994
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	406
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.13(d)

About the Author

John P. Wilson, PhD, is Professor of Psychology at Cleveland State University and widely recognized international expert in PTSD. He was a cofounder and past-president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Dr. Wilson is the author of Trauma, Transformation, and Healing, and coeditor, with Beverley Raphael, of The International Handbook of Traumatic Stress Syndromes. At present, he is Director for Stress and Trauma in Cleveland, Ohio, and Chairperson of Emergency and Disaster Services for The American Red Cross.

Jacob D. Lindy, M.D., has worked as a clinician, researcher, and consultant in the area of trauma studies for over 20 years. A training and supervising analyst at the Center for Psychoanalysis in Cincinnati, Ohio, he is Director of the University of Cincinnati Traumatic Stress Study Center, and past president of both the International Society for Traumatic Stress Study Center and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. He is also the first recipient of the Sarah Haley Award for clinical excellence in trauma therapy.

Interviews

Psychotherapists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals working with people suffering from PTSD.

Editorial Reviews

"Containing insights into the treatment process for therapists of all theoretical persuasions, Countertransference in the Treatment of PTSD is bound to be the definitive work on this topic for a generation of therapists. Filled with theoretical models and clinical case descriptions, this book is at once useful for the most experienced and senior therapist while being indispensable for the novice. This assemblage of therapists and clinicians have shared with us their collective wisdom from literally centuries worth of clinical experience. We are indebted to them for this gift." —Terence M. Keane, Ph.D., Director, National Center for PTSD-Boston; Chief, Psychology Service, Boston VA Medical Center; Tufts University School of Medicine

"Questions of countertransference are nowhere more painful, or more important, than in work with victims of extreme trauma. Wilson and Lindy bring their own vast experience in this area, as well as that of a number of accomplished colleagues, to produce a volume of extraordinary value. The writing throughout combines rigor and compassion. Therapist and students of trauma in general will find in this book models for sensitive clinical practice informed by skillfully woven theory." —Robert Jay Lifton, M.D., Author of The Protean Self, The Nazi Doctors, and The Broken Connection

"Every therapist who treats the survivor of trauma, every clinician who encounters cruelty, every scholar who studies stress syndromes will value this volume from Wilson and Lindy. Here are assembled the personal revelations, the organizing concepts, the dilemmas and insights of experts—the world leaders of the modern age of traumatic stress studies. They ask us to examine ourselves as we engage in the healing process and they make the self-scrutiny interesting." —Frank M. Ochberg, M.D., Adjunct Professor, Psychiatry, Criminal Justice; Journalism, Michigan State University

"Particularly useful for gaining an appreciation of the unique stresses on the professional's empathic relationship with traumatized individuals. The book could easily serve as a text for teaching students and as a stimulus for ongoing case supervision and peer group discussion.... There is not a chapter here that I did not learn something from. I would highly recommend it to those doing psychotherapy or working in any other way with traumatized individuals." —Linda Gay Peterson, M.D.

From the Publisher

"In this fascinating volume, many different authorities in the field present in-depth analyses of what we ordinarily describe as countertransference reactions, but they also explore unusual and extraordinary facets of countertransference reactions to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). I would recommend this book to all therapists, but it should be required reading for any therapist who deals extensively with PTSD."

Journal of Psychotherapy Practice and Research

"Could easily serve as a text for teaching students and as a stimulus for ongoing case supervision and peer group discussion.... There is not a single chapter here that I did not learn something from....I would highly recommend it to those doing psychotherapy or working in any other way with traumatized individuals."

Psychiatric Services

"No one working in the field of disaster, regardless of theoretical affiliation, should let Countertransference in the Treatment of PTSD pass by unread."

Contemporary Psychology

Reviewer: Heidi Hamernik, BA (Rush Medical College of Rush University)
Description: This book is the first volume in the field of post-traumatic stress examining the role of countertransference within the process of psychotherapy. This book elaborates upon theoretical aspects of countertransference and trauma, and upon specific trauma issues including survivors of violent and/or sexual assault; political violence and war; and natural disaster.
Purpose: The stated purpose is to present the theoretical underpinnings and conceptual foundation concerning countertransference within various trauma settings as well as to highlight specific features of trauma, the trauma recovery process, and roles in which mental health workers interact with trauma survivors. The book successfully fulfills its objective addressing these important issues within the field of trauma work.
Audience: Targeted especially for psychiatrists, psychologist, psychotherapists, and other mental health professionals working within the field of trauma, this book is also useful for students in mental health fields interested in treating trauma survivors. The authors and contributors are credible within their specific areas of trauma research and theory.
Features: This book includes diagrams, charts, and tables used to outline and clarify components associated with trauma experience and the countertransference of particular events. Case examples and vignettes are presented throughout the text to illustrate instances of trauma specific countertransference reactions on behalf of the mental health worker that arise within the context of therapy.
Assessment: This is a useful book for psychotherapists, mental health workers, and students working with post-traumatic stress. It is the first book in the field of traumatic stress to address the conceptual issues involved in countertransference within the process of therapy as well as to provide specific case examples within varied trauma settings. The book links theoretical and practical issues involved in trauma work and helps stimulate creative thought in clinicians to more adequately assist survivors of trauma.

Doody's Review Service

3 Stars from Doody

This book is the first volume in the field of post-traumatic stress examining the role of countertransference within the process of psychotherapy. This book elaborates upon theoretical aspects of countertransference and trauma, and upon specific trauma issues including survivors of violent and/or sexual assault; political violence and war; and natural disaster. The stated purpose is to present the theoretical underpinnings and conceptual foundation concerning countertransference within various trauma settings as well as to highlight specific features of trauma, the trauma recovery process, and roles in which mental health workers interact with trauma survivors. The book successfully fulfills its objective addressing these important issues within the field of trauma work. Targeted especially for psychiatrists, psychologist, psychotherapists, and other mental health professionals working within the field of trauma, this book is also useful for students in mental health fields interested in treating trauma survivors. The authors and contributors are credible within their specific areas of trauma research and theory. This book includes diagrams, charts, and tables used to outline and clarify components associated with trauma experience and the countertransference of particular events. Case examples and vignettes are presented throughout the text to illustrate instances of trauma specific countertransference reactions on behalf of the mental health worker that arise within the context of therapy. This is a useful book for psychotherapists, mental health workers, and students working with post-traumatic stress. It is the first book in the field of traumatic stress to address the conceptualissues involved in countertransference within the process of therapy as well as to provide specific case examples within varied trauma settings. The book links theoretical and practical issues involved in trauma work and helps stimulate creative thought in clinicians to more adequately assist survivors of trauma.

Heidi Hamernik

Addresses the well documented problem of mental-health professionals taking on the same symptoms as their patients with post-trauma stress disorder. After a review of the theoretical basis, discusses specific issues that arise in cases of sexual or physical abuse, war or civil disorder, political oppression, and rescue workers. Provides vignettes of actual sessions to demonstrate effective and safe victim-healer relationships. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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