Customer Reviews

Effective Treatments for PTSD: Practice Guidelines from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies

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As the field of psychological trauma treatment matures, this book fills a need to provide a broad overview of where it is. It might be argued that the editors' investment in one of the therapies discussed in the book (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) colors their presentation and leads to the neglect of other therapies, both established (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing and promising (Cognitive Therapy), this is not a major flaw as the individual chapters are written by individuals with some knowledge of their subject areas. Nonetheless, given the ongoing research being conducted on treating PTSD, researchers should bear in mind that this book will likely need revisions within the next year or two to be truly accurate.

This is an excellent review of all the major modalities of treatment for PTSD, including some that have wide use with traditional or anecdotal support but little or no adequate scientific research, such as psychodynamic, hypnosis, and art therapies. New, relatively un-researched approaches such as EMDR are indeed included, as well as the 'gold standards' of CBT and medications.

Since the format emphasizes research-based discussions of each treatment's strengths, weaknesses, proper applications, cautions, etc., obviously the well-established, well-researched strategies get more space. In every case, the chapter authors are fair, practical, open-minded, and thorough, with none of the snide or patronizing attitude too often present in books that review a broad array of customary and alternative assessments or treatments.

I came away deeply impressed by the concern and compassion all of these clinician-researchers have for their patients, and their expressed awareness that the needs of the person being treated, not the diagnosis - and not scientific purity - must always be the priority. They also show attentiveness to the needs and difficulties facing clinicians. All this in a book that is scientifically and technically very sound, written in a clear, intelligent prose.

Good stuff.

I was impressed to see so many big names in PTSD research and treatment contribute to this text. Unfortunately, in most cases, I found descriptions for each of the effective treatments, rather than instructions. More helpful, specific instruction can be found in the authors' journal articles. The chapters in this book are often broad and theoretical. I was hoping for something more clinically applicable.

I'd recommend this book to someone who is completely unfamiliar with treatments for PTSD and is interested in a broad overview of most of the popular treatments in use today. I wouldn't recommend this book if one is interested in a clinical handbook for the treatment of PTSD.

If you want concise and comprehensive information concerning PTSD this is a must read. It is well written, clear, and provides a great review of the current literaure regarding treatments for PTSD. Highly recommended.

I highly recommend this book for any professional who counsels people who have post traumatic stress disorder. The treatment guidelines are excellent, and the review of the literature that backs up the selection of the guidelines clearly guides the reader step by step to a better understanding of what treatment approaches are currently backed up by existing research and which are not.

I am a suffer of CPTSD and was believing I was unique and could not get any information other than the text books for pschology professionals, and have been wonderfully relieved to learn that everything I have suffered is not unique to me nor am I so scarily unique in my condition that my pschologist had suggested. More importantly for my family and loved ones it has been a god send to learn that what their Dad is suffering is real, and the problems that they are facing are also the right reactions albeit completely different to any other illness or situation that they or anybody in our immediate circle has faced.
Please read this book if you want a step by step path of what these problems are and that is PTSD and CPTSD. A wonderful resourse written in easy english for us all to understand and to learn that you cannot do it your self.

This is a good book for people who want to know more about PTSD. It does not contain psycho bubble, but is rather written in clear coherent professional English. It offers a variety of effective treatments which are backed by current research and literature.

Although this book is now in need of updating, it offers a sound basis for evaluating a range of interventions for PTSD because of the series of excellent literature reviews and treatment guidelines it presents. This is a book that is a useful resource for researchers, students and practicing clinicians. I have used it in PTSD treatment training because it answers students' questions about which interventions work best, why they work and how beneficial they are.