Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Trauma and Its Consequences

People suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other consequences of trauma face daunting challenges. Although many clinical treatments target symptoms of PTSD, an optimal treatment strategy would also address the many health problems that co-occur, such as chronic pain, substance misuse, and depression.

To address this need, this book offers mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). These therapeutic treatments aim to change the patient's relationship to thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and associated behaviours through an attitude of non-judgement, curiosity, openness, acceptance, and kindness. MBIs can help clients at any stage of recovery and be used in tandem with standard PTSD therapies.

David Kearney and Tracy L. Simpson show practitioners how to guide the patient through meditation practices such as breathing meditation, body scan meditation, or mindful movement to address symptoms including rumination, guilt and shame, avoidance, and hypervigilance, as well as comorbid conditions such as depression, chronic pain, and substance misuse.

The authors discuss the research supporting this approach, and offer practical suggestions to help therapists implement MBIs with their clients.

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Table of Contents

Series Forward

Introduction

I. The Landscape of Trauma

1. Why Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?
2. Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Selected Consequences of Trauma

II. Practical Considerations

3. Practical Considerations for Offering Mindfulness-Based Interventions to People With Trauma Histories
4. Reflections on Teaching Specific Mindfulness Practices
5. Moving Forward

References

Index

About the Authors

"An essential contribution to the field of mindfulness-based interventions and their applications to the PTSD epidemic. Kearney and Simpson are deeply rooted in the practice of mindfulness, and are experts in its clinical applications to stress, pain, illness, and trauma. This book will be of great practical value to clinicians and researchers alike."
- Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, Professor of Medicine Emeritus, University of Massachusetts Medical School

"Kearney and Simpson are to be commended for their clear-eyed and hopeful rendering of the promise inherent in mindfulness-based care for trauma. Not steering away from the challenges faced by trauma survivors learning mindfulness, the authors’ clinical experiences shine through as they reflect on the ways in which preparation, language, and intention can sharpen the impact of specific mindfulness practices. This is a wonderful guide for those working in this critical area."
- Zindel Segal, PhD, author of The Mindful Way Workbook