Trauma & Attachment Therapy

Boston Globe article about supportive family of transgender child

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2011/12/11/led-child-who-simply-knew/SsH1U9Pn9JKArTiumZdxaL/story.html?s_campaign=sm_fb  A lovely article about the supportive family of male twin who knew from the beginning that she was female, and the courageous family that supported her through her life.

Trauma Treatment Handbook: Protocols Across the Spectrum

My copy of the new book arrived today. Here is what Diana Fosha says about it:

"This is a thorough, accessible, and very practical book, filled with resources and sound ideas, filtered through the intelligence and experience of a savvy, compassionate, down-to-earth, and very experienced clinician. It is like a travel guide to the land of trauma and trauma treatment: if you are new to it, it will orient you to all there is to do and see; if you're a frequent traveler, it is a worthwhile reminder of all that is out there, above and beyond the familiar places you always visit. Once could ask for a better guide. I highly recommend it."

I explain trauma, complex trauma, dissociation and how to assess them and prepare for treatment, and all the kinds of treatment that I know about from the main-stream to the obscure. I talk about working with military, sexually-abused, and relationally traumatized people, and how to take care of yourself while doing the work.

 Some of my heroes comment on it. Dan Siegel wrote the introduction, despite my lack of research. Diana Fosha, Stephen Porges, Kathy Steele, and Onno van der Hart wrote very nice blurbs on the back. I'm humbled by their support.

This is the first book written completely by me. I'm amazed to be responsible for synthesizing so many people's therapies in one book. The design is great, and the photos, by Doug Plummer (my beloved) are gorgeous.

Dan Siegel's Parenting From the Inside Out

The Reading Group (Brena Lever and I) met last week to discuss Parenting from the Inside Out by Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell. At that moment Seigel happened to be meeting with the Dalai Lama, Dan Goleman, and some other child psychology types, about a mile from my house, to discuss how to grow compassionate children. We were lucky enough to be able to watch the discussion on cable. You can watch it yourself on your computer (and most of the 15 Dalai Lama events) at http://www.seedsofcompassion.org/ .

We had time to discuss the book. We were both surprised by it. I had expected Dan-Siegel "light", a book I could hand to any literate parent, for step-by-step attachment instructions. It was Dan-Siegel "medium". The book is not an easy read, except in contrast to Siegel's other books. I would give it to well-educated, analytical parents. Or I would assign specific readings, with possibility of reading more.

Siegel and Hartzell recognize this. Each chapter has 3 parts. An explanation of an idea, with one or more case examples. A brief list of "Inside-Out" exercises for the parent to do. And a longer section "Spotlight on Science" for people who want to know about the mechanisms of trauma and attachment. A hurried or less educated person could read the first part and work with the exercises. A motivated, less hurried, and more scientifically oriented person could read every word, as we did.

It's a good book for understanding how our own traumas and attachment styles can impact our ability to see and respond to our children, and that we need to do our own work to develop a "dual awareness" of our old stuff and our real here-and-now kids. It's a good book "Seigel-medium" from which to learn about attachment styles, attachment research, and the impact of parental attachment patterns on their kids' attachment styles.

My favorite concept from the book is "earned secure attachment", the getting of a healthy attachment style from therapy, mindfulness, and/or good later attachments. "Earned secure attachment" is what we want for our clients, and, in many cases, ourselves.

Here's what our two-person group thought: Therapists should read this book, because it's the easiest book that Siegel has written. Inside Out has covers all the regular Siegel topics, but less academically. Then they should explain the concepts to their clients, and work their clients (using many possible therapies) through their traumas and into earned attachment (if needed) and into an awareness of the necessity to mirror, support, and share joy with their children. They can suggest this book to bright, educated, curious parents. They should avoid giving it to people for whom it would be too frustrating.

ISREALITY Video: "Color Red"

Nancy Lieurance sent me a link to an amazing video, "Color Red" (like "code red") In ten minutes, Shahar Ben, an art therapist, shows how she uses music, EMDR bilateral tapping, and movement to help Israeli children through Gazan rocket attacks, healing and releasing trauma during the attack. It's brilliant work and I defy you to watch it without tears.

Here's the link: http://www.israelity.com/?p=4533

Here's another if that doesn't work:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34GYNxhn7SU

"Dark, Bad Day . . .Go Away!"

Ana M. Gomez has written a lovely book for children or anyone about trauma and EMDR: Dark, Bad Day. . . Go Away! It's simple, and complete, and true. The drawings by Carlos Serrano Acosta are lovely and expressive. And it has a good and true happy ending. There's a "Note for Professionals" in the beginning about how to use the book in introducing EMDR to children. If you do EMDR with Children, buy this book. If you do EMDR with child parts, it could work, too. There are no kids in my practice, and I'm putting it in my waiting room for the adult clients to read. You can get it through EMDR-HAP's store: http://www.emdrhap.org/osCommerce/index.php  It's selling like hotcakes at this week's EMDRIA conference. I know. I saw it happen.