Rebuilding Shattered Lives: Treating Complex PTSD and Dissociative Disorders

"In this new edition of Rebuilding Shattered Lives, Dr.Chu distills the wisdom he has gained from many years spentbuilding and directing an extraordinary therapeutic community in amajor teaching hospital. Both beginners and experienced clinicianswill benefit from this book's unfailing clarity, balance, andpragmatism. An invaluable resource."—Judith L. Herman, MD,Director of Training for the Victims of Violence Program, CambridgeHealth Alliance, Cambridge, MA

"The need for this work is immense, as is the reward. Thank you,Dr. Chu, for continuing to share your sustaining insight and wisdomin this updated edition."— Christine A. Courtois, founder andprincipal, Christine A. Courtois PhD & Associates, PLC,Washington, DC; author of Healing the Incest Wound: Adult Survivorsin Therapy and Recollections of Sexual Abuse

Praise for the first edition:

"Dr. James Chu charts a deliberate and thoughtful approach tothe treatment of severely traumatized patients. Written in astraightforward style and richly illustrated with clinicalvignettes, Rebuilding Shattered Lives is filled withpractical advice on therapeutic technique and clinical management.This is a reassuring book that moves beyond the confusion andcontroversies to address the critical underlying issues andintegrate traditional psychotherapy with more recent understandingof the effects of trauma and pathological dissociation."—Frank W. Putnam, MD

A fully revised, proven approach to the assessment andtreatmentof post-traumatic and dissociative disorders—reflectingtreatment advances since 1998

Rebuilding Shattered Lives presents valuable insightsinto the rebuilding of adult psyches shattered in childhood,drawing on the author's extensive research and clinical experiencespecializing in treating survivors of severe abuse.

The new edition includes:

• Developments in the treatment of complex PTSD

• More on neurobiology, crisis management, and psychopharmacologyfor trauma-related disorders

• Examination of early attachment relationships and their impacton overall development

• The impact of disorganized attachment on a child's vulnerabilityto various forms of victimization

• An update on the management of special issues

This is an essential guide for every therapist working withclients who have suffered severe trauma.