Treating Survivors of Childhood Abuse and Interpersonal Trauma, First Edition: STAIR Narrative Therapy

"This book presents an innovative treatment for adult survivors that is based on the available science about traumatic abuse and its aftermath. The authors' model is a hybrid of available effective treatments, organized in a progressive and hierarchical fashion. It dramatically shortens treatment time and thus has high value for clinician and patient alike. The treatment manual is concrete, yet attuned to the special needs and issues of survivors, and treatment goals can be quantified to test for effectiveness. A major contribution to the treatment literature."--Christine A. Courtois, PhD, ABPP, private practice (retired), Washington, DC; consultant and trainer, trauma psychology and treatment

"This marvelous book comprehensively summarizes the effects of childhood trauma on cognitive, interpersonal, and self-regulatory functions, and presents a lucid, phase-oriented approach to the treatment of the hundreds of thousands of adults who suffer from the long-term effects of early developmental trauma. Filled with handouts and practical, step-by-step information, this book will serve as an invaluable guide to help clinicians organize and implement outstanding evidence-based treatment for this population."--Bessel A.van der Kolk, MD, Medical Director, The Trauma Center at Justice Resource Institute; Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine

"Trauma clinicians have long awaited Cloitre and colleagues' treatment manual for child abuse survivors. The wait was well worth it: the authors offer a highly detailed, step-by-step, incisive approach to the treatment of trauma symptoms, affect regulation problems, and altered schemata. By attending to emotional regulation issues and the need for titrated exposure, and highlighting the importance of the therapeutic alliance, this book provides the missing link in the cognitive-behavioral treatment of complex, abuse-related trauma. I highly recommend this book!"--John Briere, PhD, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California

Meeting a key need, this book presents a modular adult psychotherapy approach grounded in extensive clinical experience and research. Provided is a flexible, empirically supported framework for helping clients manage symptoms related to past physical or sexual abuse; build emotion regulation and interpersonal skills; and process traumatic memories and their associated feelings of fear, shame, and loss. Session-by-session guidelines include many suggestions for tailoring interventions to each person's needs in the context of a safe, supportive therapeutic environment. Designed in a large, easy-to-use format, the book includes over a dozen reproducible handouts, worksheets, and other tools for clinicians and clients.