The PTSD Workbook: Simple, Effective Techniques for Overcoming Traumatic Stress Symptoms [Paperback]

Mary Beth Williams (Author), Soili Poijula (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2002 | ISBN-10: 1572242825 | ISBN-13: 978-1572242821 | Edition: Workbook

In The PTSD Workbook, two psychologists and trauma experts gather together techniques and interventions used by PTSD experts from around the world to offer trauma survivors the most effective tools available to conquer their most distressing trauma-related symptoms. Readers learn how to determine the type of trauma they experienced, identify their symptoms, and learn the most effective strategies they can use to overcome them.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This excellent workbook, based on a rich body of research, will be helpful to anyone who has experienced a sudden, incomprehensible event or suffered lifelong abuse. The authors have provided readers with a clear, comprehensive explanation of trauma, accompanied by practical yet creative exercises to help them manage their trauma symptoms. It’s also a valuable resource for clinicians as well as members of the general public striving to understand trauma and return to everyday functioning.”
—Betty Stevens-Guille, Ph.D., C.Psych., Trauma Specialist, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

“For those who believe that they will never feel ‘normal’ after a traumatic event, this workbook provides many techniques that survivors can use to jump start their recovery…an extremely important tool for growth and strength.”
—James D. Baxendale, Ph.D., CTS

About the Author

Mary Beth Willams, Ph.D., LCSW, CTS, treats trauma survivors in private practice at Trauma Recovery Education & Counseling Center in Warrenton, Virginia. She also specialized in crisis intervention as a school social worker. Williams is well known in U.S. and international trauma circles as an author, researcher, lecturer, and social policy advisor. She is the past-president of the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists.

Soili Poijula, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and licensed psychotherapist at Oy Synolon Ltd., Center for Trauma Psychology in Finland. She has been a member of the Finnish Red Cross Catastrophe Group and Finland’s Ministry of Health Advisory Board.

Product Details

• Paperback: 237 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; Workbook edition (May 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572242825
• ISBN-13: 978-1572242821
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.5 x 11 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #12,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
  • #20 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Compulsive Behavior
  • #33 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Mental Health > Anxiety Disorders

More About the Author

Mary Beth Williams, PhD, LCSW, CTS, is an author, researcher, lecturer, and trainer in the area of trauma. In addition, she treats trauma survivors in private practice at the Trauma Recovery Education and Counseling Center in Warrenton, Virginia. Williams is the former president of the Association of Traumatic Stress Specialists. She is a trainer for Customs and Border Protection, cofounder of the proposed 501(c)(3) US Vet Source (www.usvetsource.com); and author of many articles, chapters, and books about trauma disorders.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

115 of 121 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT RESOURCE FOR THERAPISTS AND CLIENTS September 2, 2005

By Barbara L. Collins

Format:Paperback

Do you have clients who suffer from PTSD? This book is an excellent resource for working through the trauma involved in their lives. There are exercises, questionnaires, guidelines on journaling, many techniques to help survivors of trauma.

The chapters address everything from a definition for trauma to feeling safe and secure before starting the work, how to write about what happened, coping skills, physical aspects of PTSD, emotions and feeling them, through finding meaning in the whole experience.

PTSD changes people, but this workbook helps them to heal. Working through these chapter enables a person to self-soothe, to be alone without being lonely, to find some meaning in what happened to them -- to gain the ability to be resilient.

I would recommend working this workbook WITH a therapist as some of the chapters are difficult for a survivor to read through alone. It is advertised as "self-help" but I have had clients who really needed a helping hand with the exercises to get through them.

I highly recommend this resource.

Barbara Collins, MS, LCPC

Pastoral Counselor/Psychotherapist

Odenton, Maryland

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars I needed help. January 23, 2007

By R. Keller

Format:Paperback

I turned to "The PTSD Workbook" for help after discovering a tragedy from my past. This book has been great help for my recovery. I found the techniques more useful than years of therapy. I feel that anyone dealing with a tragic event from thier past could find the help to start living again from this book.

94 of 105 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The PTSD Workbook October 25, 2002

By Diana L. Steketee

Format:Paperback

This is a good book that is challenging and rewarding for PTSDers to read and work through. The cautions and reminders to take care of oneself while working through the exercises are helpful. There is lots of information presented about PTSD in a very readable fashion. If a survivor of trauma had to work through those experiences and the resulting symptoms of PTSD alone, this is definitely a good place to start. I like to use some of the exercises with my teenage clients who are dealing with trauma-related symptoms.