Trauma and the Avoidant Client

A large segment of the therapy population consist of those who are in denial or retreat from their traumatic experiences. Here, drawing on attachment-based research, the author provides clinical techniques, specific intervention strategies, and practical advice for successfully addressing the often intractable issues of trauma.

Trauma and the Avoidant Client will enhance the skills of all mental health practitioners and trauma workers, and will serve as a valuable, useful resource to facilitate change and progress in psychotherapy.

Winner of International Society for Study of Trauma & Dissociation, Written Media Award 2011

“"Trauma and the Avoidant Client is just right. It hits the ground running. The eight chapters are well-written, helpful and relevant and each finishes with a great summary of the main therapeutic points. While obviously strongly embedded in attachment theory and backed up with Professor Rob Muller's research, it is not a tedious theoretical read, and is written by someone with a good deal of clinical skill and knowledge. This is a book for therapists. . . . A very good buy."”

"Trauma and the Avoidant Client is just right. It hits the ground running. The eight chapters are well-written, helpful and relevant and each finishes with a great summary of the main therapeutic points. While obviously strongly embedded in attachment theory and backed up with Professor Rob Muller’s research, it is not a tedious theoretical read, and is written by someone with a good deal of clinical skill and knowledge. This is a book for therapists. . . . A very good buy." -- New Zealand College of Clinical Psychology Journal
"This text is invaluable to a range of healthcare practitioners seeking to understand more deeply how people respond when faced with the challenging prospect of focusing on their vulnerabilities and I would consider this high-recommended reading for those training to become counsellors and psychotherapists." -- Healthcare Counselling and Psychotherapy Journal (UK)
"[A] practical, useful and empirically based guide....[I]nsightful and relevant to all age groups....[E]asy to read and I would definitely recommend it....[H]ighly practical and insightful." -- Aotearoa New Zealand Social Work
"Clinical experience blends with research and theory to provide a fine survey of defensive patterns and how they can be changed." -- Midwest Book Review
"Clinically perceptive, theoretically clear, and research-informed, this book is filled with clinical gems." -- Leslie S. Greenberg, PhD, Distinguished Research Professor, York University
"In this sensitive yet intellectually robust volume Muller shows, in the face of loss and trauma, how self-defeating and health-endangering avoidant strategies can be....A major, highly accessible contribution to the attachment literature and required reading for all mental health clinicians." -- Jeremy Holmes MD, Professor of Psychological Therapies, University of Exeter, UK, and author, Exploring in Security
"I very much enjoyed reading this book, and it is rare to find one so practical, focused, and well researched. Avoidance is a common and notoriously difficult to treat sequelae of trauma, but taking on the challenge, Muller helps readers recognize and use the therapeutic relationship as the key to reaching these clients effectively. Constructed thoughtfully and insightfully around relevant research, his use of case examples, dialogue of key therapy moments, and point summaries all make it an eminently accessible and practical book." -- Clare Pain, MD, MSc, FRCPC, Director, Psychological Trauma Program, Mount Sinai Hospital

Robert T. Muller, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of clinical psychology at York University, and a supervising psychologist at the Hincks-Dellcrest Centre. Dr. Muller specializes in the areas of trauma, attachment, and psychotherapy. The author of numerous scholarly articles, he is lead investigator in a multi-site program to treat intra-familial trauma. He has over 20 years of clinical experience in the field, and practices in downtown Toronto. He is also winner of the Written Media Award, from the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.

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