A balanced critical review of psychological debriefing by an eminent international team, published in 2000.

In its essence, this is a practical book that focuses on aiding recovery from trauma over a carefully structured timeframe. Amongst other things, it provides an introduction to the concept of psychological debriefing and some of the effects of trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This book will appeal to a broad audience because it is easily accessible, not only to those professionals working with clients suffering from PTSD, but also to health practitioners, psychologists, social workers and counsellors, as well as students.' - Well-Being 'David Kinchin pays special attention to setting up optimal conditions to facilitate emotional decompression. He takes into account that trauma reactions, primarily concerned with survival, are whole-system reactions, affecting both the body and mind. He also reminds us that the initial impact of the trauma is on physical structures in the brain, disrupting memory-processing capacity, which is designed to create space and time to heal. We should all pay a great deal of attention to what he says.' - Professor Gordon Turnbull, Consultant Psychiatrist, University of Chester, Capio Nightingale Hospital, London and Ridgeway Hospital, Swindon, UK Traumatic events strike unexpectedly and turn everyday experiences upside down. Frequently, people suffering such trauma cannot shake the experience and develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Psychological debriefing (PD) is a widely practised process used as an intervention for treating people who have been exposed to trauma. It allows people who have been exposed to trauma to re-examine the traumatic event in a safe and controlled environment, and reduces the risks of developing PTSD. This book is a practical introduction to PTSD and psychological debriefing, and offers an enhanced model of PD which the author terms `Emotional Decompression'. Structured like a deep-sea dive, which has to include carefully planned safety stops on the way back to the surface to avoid getting `the bends', this model provides time frames for how long to spend at various stages of the PD process, and when to stop for discussions and explanations. The focus is on aiding recovery from this `invisible injury' over carefully structured time. The book presents a range of recovery models, from the `simple' models developed by Williams and Horowitz to the more complex `Snakes and Ladders' model developed by the author. Appendices include an essay by one of the world's leading exponents of psychological debriefing, Atle Dyregrov, as well as case studies of debriefs completed by the author, including that of a survivor of the July 7th bombings in London. A Guide to Psychological Debriefing is an essential book for health practitioners, counsellors, psychologists and professionals working with clients suffering from PTSD, as well as students.

Sharon Johnson is the author of the best selling Therapist's Guide to Clinical Intervention now in its second edition. In this new book on PTSD, she lends her practical outline format to understanding PTSD assessment, treatment planning, and intervention. The book begins with a summary information on PTSD definition, and prevalence, assessment, and the evidence basis behind different treatment options. The book offers adjunctive skill building resources to supplement traditional therapy choices as well as forms for use in clinical practice. This clinician's guide to diagnosing and treating PTSD is written in a concise format with much of the material in outline or bullet point format, allowing easy understanding of complex material for the busy therapist. The book includes a definition of the disorder, diagnostic criteria, the neurobiology of the disorder, tools and information for diagnosing clients, information on functional impairment, interventions, treatment planning, skill building, and additional clinician resources. - Outlines treatment goals and objectives for DSM-IV PTSD diagnosis - Discusses interventions and the evidence basis for each - Offers skill building resources to supplement treatment - Provides business and clinical forms for use with PTSD patients

Saari's book discusses the impact of traumatic events and the key principles underlying acute crisis work. Case study examples are used to illustrate the main features of traumatic situations and ways of processing such experiences, as well as the practical implications for crisis support.' - Bereavement Care, Volume 26, April 2007 'The book provides a basic introduction to trauma and will be an interesting initial read for those new to this field.' - Bereavement Care, Volume 26, April 2007 'What this well written book brings is a coherent understanding of the possible effects upon us as those involved first hand, as a relative/friend of someone involved, as an observer either close by or at a distance via television or other media. I think this book offers therapists, clients, and policy makers a view of how to deal with those "bolts from the blue" with more understanding of the nature of trauma and its effects upon the individual and the community. The author has put together a book that looks at the processing of a traumatic event, the effects of it upon adults and children, how to work with a traumatised person, and the impact of interventions upon the individual.' - British Psychodrama Association Journal 'The thought I am left with after reading this book is that a basic grounding in psychological first aid should be a vital part of the "tools" of all who work in the helping professions and as a necessary part of every modern citizen's education, as is medical "first aid". - Therapy Today 'Saari examines in detail the psychological effects of traumatic events on individuals. She explains each step of the process of recovery, from the initial through lingering effects that follow the return to everyday life. The importance pf psycho-social support is also addressed. The final chapter is devoted to an examination of the efficacy of single-session debriefing in preventing traumatization.' - Book News 'This is an accessible introductory text that attempts to consider a range of issues related to personal responses to traumatic events. The author is an experienced Finnish Psychologist who obviously has extensive experience in the field of crisis response and acute trauma.' - Mental Health Practice In the wake of a number of large-scale disasters in recent years, the world is all too aware of crises but largely underprepared for the psychological repercussions of traumatic events on victims and recovery staff. Salli Saari examines in detail the psychological effect traumatic events can have on an individual, taking the reader step-by-step through each stage of the process of understanding and recovery. She also discusses the role of social support, the media and the workplace in addressing trauma, and what methods can be adopted to help victims cope after a traumatic incident. Based on work within the Finnish organized crisis care network, A Bolt from the Blue shows how crisis care can be an integral part of health care services, covering all traumatic incidents from a death in the family to major accidents and disasters. This book is an essential text for any professional who comes into contact with people affected by a traumatic experience, including psychologists, counsellors, medical doctors, social workers, nurses, pastoral carers/clergy, and students in these fields. It is also accessible enough to be of use to laymen who have encountered a traumatic experience and may need help.

Handbook of Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Psychology, Volume 2 covers the evidence-based practices now identified for treating adults with a wide range of DSM disorders. Topics include fundamental issues, adult cognitive disorders, substance-related disorders, psychotic, mood, and anxiety disorders, and sexual disorders. Each chapter provides a comprehensive review of the evidence-based practice literature for each disorder and then covers several different treatment types for clinical implementation. Edited by the renowned Peter Sturmey and Michel Hersen and featuring contributions from experts in the field, this reference is ideal for academics, researchers, and libraries.

Violent behavior is an unavoidable aspect of human nature, and as such, it has become deeply integrated into modern society. In order to protect and defend citizens, the foundational concepts of fairness and equality must be adhered to within any criminal justice system. As such, examining police science through a critical and academic perspective can lead to a better understanding of its foundations and implications. Police Science: Breakthroughs in Research and Practice is an authoritative reference source for the latest scholarly material on social problems involving victimization of minorities and police accountability. It also emphasizes key elements of police psychology as it relates to current issues and challenges in law enforcement and police agencies. Highlighting a range of pertinent topics such as police psychology, social climate and police departments, and media coverage, this publication is an ideal reference source for law enforcement officers, criminologists, sociologists, policymakers, academicians, researchers, and students seeking current research on various aspects of police science.

These volumes by a team of internationally recognized experts reflect and highlight both recognized and under-recognized events that cause trauma. They also examine current and emerging research on effective interventions to minimize and heal the effects of the trauma. Special attention is also given to culture and context, because what is considered healthy or problematic may vary widely across cultures, and culture can influence people's coping styles. Sources of trauma discussed include stalking, killing, terrorism, torture, kidnap, workplace violence, domestic violence, children and war, fires, floods, AIDS, pain, burns, spinal cord injury, children and medical illness, homelessness, and more. Case examples, treatment recommendations, and public policy recommendations are included in each of the chapters. The growing field of trauma psychology has been spurred recently by natural events from Hurricane Katrina to the Tsunami, and by terrorist events worldwide, as well as chronic health and social issues—from persistent pain to homelessness—that are mounting. The experts offer a gripping overview of the most traumatic and widespread events causing trauma and of the symptoms and health impairment that may result. Most important, they explain how we can best recognize, understand, and treat the sufferers and develop intervention policies.