Coping WIth Trauma Related Dissociation - Anyone read it?

[dollyvee]

Curious if anyone has read this and if they have any thoughts on the book, or anything they'd like to share about it?

I heard it mentioned in a Heidi Priebe video and would like to start reading it. As I understand, it is sort of meant to be a workbook for group work.

dolly

[Hope67]

Hi Dolly,
I have a book on my bookshelf called 'Coping with Trauma-Related Dissociation: Skills Training for Patients and Therapists' by Suzette Boon, Kathy Steele  and Onnon Van der Hart.  I know that I have read it in past years - not sure when - I think it's a very useful resource, and looking back in it today (now I've just got it back off my bookshelf) I can see it has Homework sheets with space to respond in.  I suspect from my own use of the book that I purely read it, and didn't necessarily 'do' the homework assignments - but I think that all the suggestions and tools in that book are good.  I really think that it was an excellent book.  Infact, I am tempted to re-read it, and maybe try to do the exercises - but I won't do that for a while, as I have a pile of books I'm currently working my way through.

The book is quite large - it is 470 pages including the index.  My book is dated 2011, so I would imagine there might be more up to date versions. 

Looking at the chapter titles, I'll share those for you:

Part One: Understanding Dissociation and Trauma-Related Disorders.  4 chapters within that section.  1. Understanding Dissociation; 2. Symptoms of Dissociation; 3. Understanding Dissociative Parts of the Personality. 4. Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)  and at the end of each part there is usually a section which is called Skills Review.

Part Two: Initial Skills for Coping with Dissociation. 5. Overcoming the Phobia of Inner Experience; 6. Learning to Reflect; 7. Beginning Work with Dissociative Parts; 8. Developing an Inner Sense of Safety.  Then Skills Review.

Part Three: Improving Daily Life.  9. Improving Sleep; 10. Establishing a Healthy Daily Structure; 11. Free Time and Relaxation; 12. Physical Self-Care; 13. Developing Healthy Eating Habits.  Skills Review.

Part Four: Coping with Trauma-Related Triggers and Memories.  14. Understanding Traumatic Memories and Triggers; 15. Coping with Triggers; 16. Planning for Difficult Times.  Skills Review.

Part Five: Understanding Emotions and Cognitions.  17. Understanding Emotions; 18. The Window of Tolerance: Learning to Regulate Yourself; 19. Understanding Core Beliefs; 20. Identifying Core Errors; 21. Challenging Dysfunctional Thoughts and Core Beliefs.  Skills Review

(I will continue this in my next reply, as I don't want to lose what I've just typed...)

[Hope67]

Continuation of book chapters...

Part Six: Advanced Coping Skills 22. Coping with Anger.  23. Coping with Fear; 24. Coping with Shame and Guilt; 25. Coping with the needs of inner child parts; 26. Coping with Self-Harm; 27. Improving Decision Making Through Inner Cooperation and Skills Review.

Part Seven: Improving Relationships with Others 28. The Phobias of Attachment and Attachment Loss; 29.  Resolving Relational Conflict; 30. Coping with Isolation and Loneliness; 31. Learning to Be Assertive; 32. Setting Healthy Personal Boundaries.  Skills Review.

Part Eight: Guide for Group Trainers: 33. Guilde for Group Trainers; 34. Introductory Session; 35. Leave-Taking Sessions.

Then there are Appendices:
A. DSM-IV Diagnostic Criteria
B. Ground Rules for a Skills-Training Group
C. Participant Contract for a Skills-Training Group
D. Skills-Training Group Final Evaluation

Then References and Index.

***********

Dolly - I am grateful that you asked about this book, as just typing out all of those chapter titles reminded me of the excellent resources in that book, and I am definitely going to dip back in and out of it - as there are so many things I want to revisit in it that will be helpful in current day to day stuff.

Personally, I think it's a GREAT book - really useful resource and as you can see from all the chapter titles, it covers a LOT of topics relevant to daily life.

Hope

[dollyvee]

Thanks for that summary Hope.

I read the introduction and perhaps its better that you didn't complete the exercises in the past. Maybe it's just too triggering for some. Though it does seem to be more geared for people with DID/DDNOS.

"This manual is not intended to be used by yourself when you are not in therapy, although some content may be helpful."

dolly