Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse (Guilford Substance Abuse Series) [Paperback]

Lisa M. Najavits PhD (Author)

Book Description

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

This 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 specific units or topics, addressing a range of different cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal domains. Each topic provides 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, topics can be conducted in any order and in a range of different formats and settings. The volume is designed for maximum ease of use with a large format, lay-flat binding, and helpful reproducible therapist sheets and handouts.

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

"Fills a tremendous gap in treatment resources....Provides clinicians with an empirically based and well-developed treatment program that enables them to intervene in comorbid SUD and PTSD in an integrated way....Provides a breath of fresh air by rising above the often contentious debate on whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic interventions, or 12-step-oriented approaches are the best treatment model....The manual is well organized, easy to use, and relevant to the treatment needs of individuals with comorbid PTSD and SUD. It is an innovative, flexible, and practical program that is adaptable to a variety of treatment settings. Although this manual is particularly useful for clinicians, I highly recommend it as a resource for students and researchers who seek to gain a better understanding of the treatment needs of individuals who have concomitant SUD and PTSD as well."--Criminal Justice Review

(Criminal Justice Review 20011216)

About the Author

Lisa M. Najavits, PhD, is Professor of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine; Lecturer, Harvard Medical School; clinical psychologist, VA Boston Healthcare System; and clinical associate, McLean Hospital. Her primary focus is the development and outcome testing of new therapy models for vulnerable populations, especially in the areas of co-occurring disorders, trauma, and addictions. The author of over 140 professional publications, Dr. Najavits is a recipient of the Chaim and Bela Danieli Young Professional Award of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, the Early Career Contribution Award of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, the Emerging Leadership Award of the American Psychological Association's Committee on Women, and the Betty Ford Award of the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 401 pages
• Publisher: The Guilford Press; 1 edition (December 14, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572306394
• ISBN-13: 978-1572306394
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 0.9 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,589 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #9 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
  • #14 in Books > Medical Books > Psychology > Psychotherapy, TA & NLP
  • #19 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Social Sciences > Social Work

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 150 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 Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse. She has served as president resident of the Society of Addiction Psychology of the American Psychological Association; and is on various advisory boards including the Journal of Traumatic Stress Studies, Addiction Research and Theory, and the Journal of Gambling Studies. Dr. Najavits has received a variety of federal and other research grants. 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. She is a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts; a psychotherapy supervisor; and conducts a psychotherapy practice. For more information, visit www.seekingsafety.org

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

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

By S. Luftig

Format: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.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

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

By Spike Pitzburg

Format: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.

12 of 12 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

Format:Paperback

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