A longtime trauma worker, Laura van Dernoot Lipsky offers a deep and empathetic survey of the often-unrecognized toll on those working to make the world a better place. We may feel tired, cynical, numb, or like we can never do enough. These, and other symptoms, affect us individually and collectively, sapping the energy and effectiveness we so desperately need if we are to benefit humankind, other animals, and the planet itself. Through Trauma Stewardship, we are called to meet these challenges in an intentional way--not by becoming overwhelmed but by developing a quality of mindful presence. Joining the wisdom of ancient cultural traditions with modern psychological research, Lipsky offers a variety of simple and profound practices that will allow us to remake ourselves--and ultimately the world.
Trauma Stewardship (BK Life)
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
Praise for Trauma Stewardship
"Taking on society's biggest challenges can make self-care seem trivial, even self-indulgent. We willingly subordinate our own needs to those of the work and the world at large, often feeling gratitude for the opportunity to do so, then wonder why we're so exhausted. Gently and insightfully, Laura nudges us toward the proverbial balance so that in the end, we can both work and live more fully."
--Chelsea Sexton, alternative fuel vehicle advocate and cofounder of Lightning Rod Foundation and Plug In America, featured in the film Who Killed the Electric Car?
"I saw a lot as a cop in San Diego and as chief of the Seattle Police Department. Looking back on my thirty-four years in policing, I only wish that Trauma Stewardship had been in my car or on my desk that whole time. Whether it's bureaucratic sources of distress or the steady diet of traumatic situations encountered on the streets, Laura's extraordinary book offers a lucid, insightful, often humorous, and always practical guide to the professional who has no choice but to deal with trauma. I can't recommend it highly enough."
--Norm Stamper, PhD, Seattle Chief of Police (Ret.) and author of Breaking Rank: A Top Cop's Exposé of the Dark Side of American Policing
"This impressive book helps one to recognize the effects of trauma exposure everywhere: in ourselves, our organizations, and our society. Readers will be guided (gently) along an individual path of exploration, growth, hope, and recovery. I will be recommending it to everyone I work with."
--Cynthia Garrett, MD, Vancouver Native Health Society Medical Clinic and New Westminster Mental Health Centre
About the Author
Laura van Dernoot Lipsky is a trauma social worker, educator, and consultant. She is also the founder and director of a Spanish-language preschool and grade school enrichment program that offers an environmental and social-justice curriculum. Connie Burk is the executive director of the Northwest Network of Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian and Gay Survivors of Abuse.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
More About the Author
Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
How many books do you read that compel you to want to send it to everyone you know? THIS BOOK IS SUCH A BOOK. This work completely transcends its genre. At the risk of sounding over-the-top, if you are a citizen of this Planet, you should read this book. It is dense with nugget after nugget of profound wisdom and insight into the human condition. Let's face it, the World we live in poses very challenging circumstances--both individually and globally. Lipsky does not sugar-coat these realities. Rather, she courageously probes into the core of human trauma and its residual effects, while offering a treasure trove of tools for transcendence. The writer's use of HUMOR is MASTERFUL-she somehow manges to elicit an array of almost "Sedaris-style" belly laughs, while addressing the most serious of life's obstacles. Her profound insight into the recesses, idiosyncracies and trappings of the human mind allows her to offer the golden chord of healing, in the form of pragmatic solutions and tools--we just have to grab on. It's quite a ride!!
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By J. Sullivan
Format:Paperback
I didn't even know I needed this book. It gives coherent words and structure to understand the process that occurs for those who find themselves caring for others, and what we might need to keep going and make it make sense.
The chapters are concise and readable, with cartoons and anecdotes to make it witty and interesting. I don't know what more I can say except that it is breathtaking.
If you are a nurse/doctor/social worker/psychologist/first responder/legal aid/non-profit/humanitarian worker, even if you think you aren't burnt out or that the trauma you are experiencing in your patients/clients doesn't affect you, read this book! It should be taught in grad school.
As a non-professional who may be responsible for elders or others with special needs, this book could provide a safety valve and strategies for keeping in touch with yourself while caring for others. This is not a self help book. It is a whole new way of looking at the field that is accessible to professionals and non-professionals alike. Wish I had had this years ago.
The chapters are concise and readable, with cartoons and anecdotes to make it witty and interesting. I don't know what more I can say except that it is breathtaking.
If you are a nurse/doctor/social worker/psychologist/first responder/legal aid/non-profit/humanitarian worker, even if you think you aren't burnt out or that the trauma you are experiencing in your patients/clients doesn't affect you, read this book! It should be taught in grad school.
As a non-professional who may be responsible for elders or others with special needs, this book could provide a safety valve and strategies for keeping in touch with yourself while caring for others. This is not a self help book. It is a whole new way of looking at the field that is accessible to professionals and non-professionals alike. Wish I had had this years ago.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Trish W
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I thought I was doing a good job managing my exposure to others' trauma, until I read this book. What I discovered is that I'm responding in a multitude of subtle ways that have, over time, altered who I am and how I live. Yet, the message I took from the book, is that I chose this path and therefore, as a trauma steward, have a responsibility to manage my trauma exposure response. Instead of feeling hopeless about who I've become, I decided to embrace my responsibility and take back control. I started with simple changes, such as answering my phone when it rings instead of letting it go to voice mail. I noticed an internal shift almost immediately. I had not realized how much I had been avoiding connection and keeping myself isolated as a way to cope with my trauma exposure.
The author's approach to trauma stewardship is systemic and encompasses a variety of domains and ecologies. As a clinical supervisor, I am able to use this material to help my staff recognize and manage their trauma exposure response. We are all using this knowledge to help our clients' caregivers and the external systems that work with our clients recognize and manage their exposure to our clients' trauma. The result of our increased awareness has had a direct and significantly positive effect on our work.
Reading this book was a privilege and a gift. It is original, profound, and eye-opening!
The author's approach to trauma stewardship is systemic and encompasses a variety of domains and ecologies. As a clinical supervisor, I am able to use this material to help my staff recognize and manage their trauma exposure response. We are all using this knowledge to help our clients' caregivers and the external systems that work with our clients recognize and manage their exposure to our clients' trauma. The result of our increased awareness has had a direct and significantly positive effect on our work.
Reading this book was a privilege and a gift. It is original, profound, and eye-opening!
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The thing about this book that's so brilliant, is that it is absolutely for anyone who is care taking, not just professionals. The insights, support, and perspective offered are smart, clear, and compassionate. At some point, everyone is taking care of someone else, even if it's just as someone who works for a non profit organization that provides a service. Burn out is everywhere and this little wonder of a book helped me understand how to take care of myself as well. It's smart, savvy, and the cartoons really give you a lift. I can't say enough about it. It is supremely useful and user-friendly! I would have been lost with out it.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As someone who has worked in the environmental field for many years, I was delighted to find that this book speaks to my experience as well. Those of us who care deeply for the state of the planet may not use the language of trauma, but this book describes me and my colleagues in conservation and sustainability very well. When you are sitting daily with the realities of environmental degradation, you definitely feel that you can never do enough, and it wears on you at a very deep level. This book provides accessible yet profound strategies for taking care of yourself, and by extension, all forms of life in your care.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is a must have for anyone who has been traumatized. For the person who has undergone a traumatic experience as well as those exposed to traumatic events in work, volunteering, travel. It gives tools to work through the results of trauma and help to begin to think more clearly and find its value in making future decisions about life. There are clear signals of what trauma looks like, for those who wonder if they have indeed suffered trauma. I highly recommend it.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A definite buy!
Came in perfect condition and a wonderful book for anyone in the field of social services. I would highly recommend this product.
Published 4 days ago by Tabitha B.
5.0 out of 5 stars
helpful book for anyone in "do-gooder work"
Geared toward people working in helping professions. Helpful reminders and exercises. Love the New Yorker cartoons and the case studies!
Published 24 days ago by Julia Eddy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book for anyone who is in the helping profession
Really good tips on how to keep healthy while you are helping others. I would recommend this to all in the helping profession.
Published 1 month ago by kelly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Self-Care And Wellness Taken To The Next Level
Holistic view of addressing trauma in others and dealing with it in your own life as a direct service provider. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Steve-n-Dorth
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you do social work, you will benefit from reading this book
I work with grandparents raising their grandchildren in Palm Beach County, Florida. After two years of hearing their stories and experiencing their emotions on a monthly basis, I... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lisa Cunningham
5.0 out of 5 stars
should be required reading
This book would be great required reading for all employees and board members of domestic violence shelters. It would be great used for discussion and trainings
Published 2 months ago by tootybabe
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Read for All Caregivers
This book made me look inside and think of my job in a different way. It was good to see that I am not the only one that has the feelings of others that work in similar jobs. Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. Bourne
2.0 out of 5 stars
Depressing
Some good ideas but the way it is conveyed is very depressing. As it is designed for someone already struggling to deal with a traumatised person or people, I think it needs to be... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Karen Duffy
2.0 out of 5 stars
Too hard to read!
My mind had to think too hard to understand while reading. It was like, stop and think and than return to reading. Where as other books just naturally flow as you read.
Published 5 months ago by dawn trevor
3.0 out of 5 stars
Somewhat Lacking
I read this book for a class in my professional mental health counseling grad program. It was an easy enough read, and the author explained things fairly straightforward. Read more
Published 6 months ago by T-Bone
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Listmania!
|
|
