Principles of Trauma Therapy

An eloquent, inspiring and classic text—now updated. Principles of Trauma Therapy is that rare book that has changed the field, helping bring trauma awareness into the mainstream and educating a generation of trauma therapists, researchers, and policy makers. It is eminently practical, with realistic guidance for day-to-day clinical work while embracing a wide range of theoretical orientations. Kudos to Briere and Scott for this gem of a book to help trauma survivors!

– Lisa Najavits, PhD

Essential reading for clinicians assessing and treating traumatic stress. These master clinicians have made the complexity of traumatic stress accessible, and their approach is applicable to treating diverse clients. Their revised edition includes important and extensive updates, such as guidance for navigating clients’ experiences of social injustice within the context of relational treatment, a new chapter on the neurobiology of posttraumatic stress, and an introduction to the new mindfulness based ReGAIN procedure for deescalating activated states.

– S. Megan Berthold, PhD, LCSW

This book, Principles of Trauma Therapy: A Guide to Symptoms, Evaluation, and Treatment, has been a mainstay in clinical and more generic training courses in traumatic stress studies since its original publication. This third edition continues this tradition. It contains a great deal of clinical wisdom based both on the latest empirical findings as well as clinical experience and consensus. It recognizes expanded types of trauma and the complexity of consequences and incorporates the latest information on new areas of emphasis, including diversity and other contextual issues. The heart of the book, a detailed outline and description of the average treatment trajectory, is especially useful. An essential guide for all who work with the traumatized. Bravo to the authors!

– Christine A. Courtois, PhD, ABPP

If I were to advise the young scholar on a source for the development of a foundation of knowledge in trauma therapy, I could ask them to read a list of 50+ worthy candidate tomes, each containing a piece of the puzzle, or, alternatively, I could point them to this one text. The astounding breadth, complexity, and practicality of this work, combined with the compassion and openness of its authors, radiates from every page. This book should be in the library of every trauma expert.

– Constance Dalenberg, Ph.D.

John N. Briere, PhD is Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, and is past director of the Psychological Trauma Program at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center. A past president of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS), he is recipient of the Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Science of Trauma Psychology from the American Psychological Association, the Robert S. Laufer Memorial Award for Scientific Achievement from ISTSS, the Presidential Award for Contribution to Methods from the Association for Scientific Advancement in Psychological Injury and Law, and the William N. Friedrich Lecturer: Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Child Psychology from the Mayo Clinic. A long-term student of Buddhist psychology, he has been Remote Faculty at the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy since 2013.

Catherine Scott, MD is Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and the Behavioral Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. Her academic background includes Harvard College, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and psychiatric residency training at both Cornell and USC. Previously, Dr. Scott served as Medical Director of the Psychological Trauma Program at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center, and the Associate Medical Director of the Psychiatric Emergency Service at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center. In that capacity she taught and supervised resident physicians and medical students in the assessment and treatment of trauma-related disorders arising from sexual and physical violence, torture, child abuse, and other forms of interpersonal violence. She continues to practice as well as teach residents at USC, and serves as an expert witness in the areas of trauma and posttraumatic stress. Her clinical and research interests include women’s issues, treatment of adult survivors of child abuse, human rights, and the remediation of sexual violence and its effects.