Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse [Paperback]

Lisa M. Najavits (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 14, 2001 | ISBN-10: 1572306394 | ISBN-13: 978-1572306394 | Edition: 1

This much-needed manual presents the first empirically studied, integrative treatment approach developed specifically for PTSD and substance abuse. For persons with this prevalent and difficult-to-treat dual diagnosis, the most urgent clinical need is to establish safety-to work toward discontinuing substance use, letting go of dangerous relationships, and gaining control over such extreme symptoms as dissociation and self-harm. The manual is divided into 25 topics, each of which forms the basis for one or more sessions. Covering a range of cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal issues, topics include highly practical tools and techniques to engage patients in treatment; teach "safe coping skills" that apply to both disorders; and restore ideals that have been lost, including respect, care, protection, and healing. Structured yet flexible, sessions can be conducted in any order and in a range of settings. The volume is designed for maximum ease of use with a large-size format and helpful reproducible handouts and forms.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This landmark volume presents a cutting-edge approach to the treatment of patients who depend on drugs to soothe the pain of PTSD. In stunning detail, Najavits shows how the same therapist can treat both conditions concurrently. Her kinder and gentler approach is a welcome change from traditional confrontational interventions. The volume is enriched by her empathy and wisdom. All therapists attempting to help these patients should have this book to guide them."--Aaron T. Beck, MD, University Professor of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania

"Fabulous! This treatment manual provides practical, clearly described procedures for treating an extremely difficult group of clients. The organization of the treatment is superb. From my perspective, the most important parts of a comprehensive treatment are here--attention to the client's safety, targeting substance use simultaneously with targeting PTSD, integrating ideals and values (I love the quotations!), a core of cognitive-behavioral interventions, a focus on interpersonal relationships, and attention to the needs of the therapist. Very impressive. Obviously written by an experienced clinician."--Marsha M. Linehan, PhD., University Professor of Psychology, University of Washington

"Born of experience and energized by passion, this carefully crafted and thoughtful treatment manual will guide clinicians through the tricky waters of substance abuse and PTSD treatment. Seeking Safety will help clinicians decide what to do and how to do it well. As empirically guided treatment manuals begin to emerge in greater numbers and varying quality, Najavits maintains an essential and elegant balance between a lucid map of treatment directions, on the one hand, and the complex dynamics of the clinical territory on the other. This is a very important work that I highly recommend for clinicians of every stripe."--Howard J. Shaffer, PhD, CAS, Director, Division on Addictions, Harvard Medical School

About the Author

Lisa M. Najavits, PhD, is Director of the Trauma Research Program in the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center at McLean Hospital and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 401 pages
• Publisher: Guilford Press; 1 edition (December 14, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572306394
• ISBN-13: 978-1572306394
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,633 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
  • #53 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Recovery > Substance Abuse

More About the Author

Lisa M. Najavits, PhD, is Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine; Lecturer, Harvard Medical School; clinical psychologist at VA Boston; and clinical associate, McLean Hospital. She is author of the books Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse (2002) and A Woman's Addiction Workbook (New Harbinger Press; 2002), as well as over 130 professional publications. She has received various awards, including the 1997 Young Professional Award of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies; the 1998 Early Career Contribution Award of the Society for Psychotherapy Research; the 2004 Emerging Leadership Award of the American Psychological Association Committee on Women; and the 2009 Betty Ford Award of the Addiction Medical Education and Research Association. She is currently president of the American Psychological Association Division on Addictions; and on the advisory boards of Psychotherapy Research, the Journal of Traumatic Stress, and the Journal of Gambling Studies. Dr. Najavits has received a variety of National Institutes of Health and other research grants. She is a fellow of the American Psychological Association; board certified in behavioral therapy; a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts; a psychotherapy supervisor; and conducts a psychotherapy practice. She received her PhD in clinical psychology from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, Tennessee) and her bachelor's degree with honors from Columbia University (New York, New York). Her major clinical and research interests address vulnerable populations, including homeless, women, veterans, and community-based care; she specializes on trauma/substance abuse, development of new psychotherapies, and evaluation and outcome research. See www.seekingsafety.org for additional information.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A useful and inspiring resource, April 8, 2005

By 

S. Luftig (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse (Paperback)

This book, intended for therapists, is a comprehensive, compassionate, and accessible guide to what Najavits establishes is the first crucial step for someone struggling with PTSD and substance abuse: learning to feel safe. It is also an excellent resource for patients who want to help themselves. What I like best is that the book is filled with checklists, stories, exercises, and quotations such that I can open to nearly any page and find ideas that are both practical and inspirational. In short, this is a great book.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely useful volume for professionals, March 8, 2005

By 

Spike Pitzburg - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse (Paperback)

I can see why this book got such rave reviews and is such a best-seller. It's a superb book, offering both real insight into trauma and addiction, as well as hands-on clinical tools. As someone in the field, I have found both the philosophical and practical aspects of Najavits' work incomparable. On top of the impeccable professionalism, is her impressive writing. This is a must buy for anyone interested in this area.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gold Standard in dual diagnosis treatment of PTSD, June 24, 2008

By 

William "BillK" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse (Paperback)

This manual is in use and recommended for use by the VA's National Center for PTSD at Palo Alto California.