The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook: Practical Mind-Body Tools to Heal Trauma, Foster Resilience and Awaken Your Potential

by Arielle Schwartz

Overview

Traumatic life experiences can be devastating and they inevitably shape who you are. Such events can also become a powerful force that awakens you to an undercurrent of your own aliveness. Trauma recovery involves learning to trust in your capacity for new growth. In order to grow, we must make use of our suffering in order to find our happiness.

Within these pages, you will find an invitation to see yourself as the hero or heroine of your own life journey. A hero's journey involves walking into the darkness on a quest for wholeness. This interactive format calls for journaling and self—reflection, with practices that guide you beyond the pain of your past and help you discover a sense of meaning and purpose in your life. Successful navigation of a hero's journey provides opportunities to discover that you are more powerful than you had previously realized.

Written by Dr. Arielle Schwartz, bestselling author of The Complex PTSD Workbook, this healing guide provides a step—by—step approach to trauma recovery that integrates:

— Mindfulness & yoga

— Somatic psychology

— EMDR therapy

— Parts work therapy

— Relational therapy

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683732679
Publisher:	PESI Publishing
Publication date:	01/13/2020
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Arielle Schwartz, PhD is a licensed clinical psychologist, EMDR Therapy consultant, certified yoga instructor, and writer with a private practice in Boulder, Colorado. She is a specialist in mind—body approaches to healing trauma. She is a trainer for therapists and specializes in PTSD, Complex PTSD, Therapeutic Yoga for trauma, Resilience, and Post Traumatic Growth,. She believes that all people deserve to be empowered by knowledge and is dedicated to offering informational mental health and wellness updates through her heartfelt community presentations, social media presence, and blog. Her psychotherapy practice is called resilience informed therapy which offers an integrative, strength—based approach to trauma treatment.

Table of Contents

Foreword xi

Acknowledgments xv

Preface: A Personal Journey of Trauma, Resilience, and Growth xvii

What to Expect in This Book xviii

My Hero's Journey xx

A Personal Manifesto xxvi

The Journey of Practices xxvii

Chapter 1 The Invitation 1

Start Where You Are 3

Understanding Resilience and Post-Traumatic Growth 6

Healing in Stages 9

Seasons and Cycles 12

Mind and Body in Healing 15

The Neurobiology of Personal Transformation 20

Healing in Relationships 26

A Transformational Path 31

Truth or Consequences 34

Your Hero(ine)'s Journey 37

Chapter Review 41

Chapter 2 Self-Discovery: Cultivating the Fertile Ground of Resilience 43

Get Your Bearings 43

Embodiment 50

Slow and Steady 53

Reclaim Your Inner Protector 58

Nervous System Regulation 60

Breathing into Balance 64

Mobilization and Immobilization 69

Grounding 72

Build Your Boundaries 77

Vulnerability is Strength 80

Some Days Are Like That 84

The Resilience Recipe 87

Chapter Review 92

Chapter 3 Transformation: Planting the Seeds of Potential 95

Expansion and Contraction 95

Riding the Waves of Change 99

Overcoming Obstacles 102

Trauma Reprocessing 107

Alternating Your Attention 112

Self-Sabotage to Self-Love 116

Acceptance and Compassion 121

Turning Toward Shame 125

Somatic Repatterning 130

A Light in the Dark 135

The Transgenerational Legacy 140

No Mud, No Lotus 144

Chapter Review 148

Chapter 4 Awakening: Blooming into Post-Traumatic Growth 151

From Pain to Possibility 151

Passion and Purpose 155

Will and Surrender 159

Time to Rest 162

Buried Treasure and Hidden Joys 166

Art and Soul 171

Claim Your Self-Worth 174

Own Your Story 177

Chapter Review 182

Chapter 5 Self-Actualization: Tending to the Garden of Life 185

Awaken to Your Potential 186

The Return 190

Finding Forgiveness 194

Coming Home and Belonging 198

From Conflict to Connection 202

The Emotional Wake 207

Giving Your Gifts 211

Final Reflections 215

References 217

Editorial Reviews

An extraordinary guide through the non—linear process of trauma recovery, written with the wisdom of a deep, compassionate, skillful Teacher and Therapist. This is a book to be savored and worked with slowly, in sections over time, alone or explored in therapy. For those just beginning, the first two Chapters are a remarkably gentle introduction to the terrain of trauma and healing, of therapy and resilience. The mid—section explores the 'heavy lifting' of trauma work, best supported by a secure therapeutic relationship. The final two chapters weave together the extraordinary gifts of transformation inviting us to explore the deepest meaning—making that is so often the 'silver lining' of recovery. I recommend this book wholeheartedly to laypersons, clients, and Clinicians — both seasoned and emerging. A gift for all of us.—Carol Anna McBride The Trauma Project

The Post—Traumatic Growth Guidebook by Dr. Arielle Schwartz is by no exaggeration a comprehensive guide to life. For the curious, it is written in an easy to understand manner with real life examples. For the studied professional, it contains insights beyond practical learning and into compassion for individuals. This book is not an overnight read. It could easily be a lifelong guide, to be studied in pieces when a person is ready, and returned to for further study and reflection for decades. The volume of wisdom and knowledge in this book is just incredible. For individual study, I would recommend purchasing several blank journals for reflection. Through this book, you will be guided to grow, guided past and through obstacles that are currently visible or invisible, and guided to live life to your fullest potential. —Doe Zantamata, author of Improve your Life in 80 Days

In The Post—Traumatic Growth Guidebook, Dr. Arielle Schwartz presents her vast knowledge and understanding of neuroscience in a user—friendly way. Appropriate for clinicians and survivors of trauma alike, the skills and insights presented in this volume will help to transform lives. Wherever you are at in your healing journey, I highly suggest that you add it to your library. —Jamie Marich, PhD, LPCC—S, LICDC—CS, REAT

From the Publisher