Countertransference in the treatment of PTSD

Author(s)

• Wilson, John P. (John Preston)
• Lindy, Jacob D.

Bibliographic Information

Countertransference in the treatment of PTSD

edited by John P. Wilson, Jacob D. Lindy ; foreword by Bessel A. van der Kolk

Guilford Press, c1994

Note

Includes bibliographical references and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

It is now widely recognized that mental health professionals who work with trauma victims are themselves at risk for powerful countertransference reactions (CTRs), vicarious victimization, and stress-related burnout. This volume is the first book in the field of traumatic stress studies to systematically examine the unique role of countertransference processes in psychotherapy outcome. Emphasizing the need for carefully deliberated action, this volume offers vital new insights into the victim-healer relationship and presents detailed techniques to promote awareness of affective reactions for anyone working with sufferers of PTSD and its comorbid conditions such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Part I introduces readers to theoretical and conceptual foundations of countertransference in post-traumatic therapies. Illustrated with case examples, the relationship of empathic strain to countertransference and two types of therapist defenses are examined. Chapters in Part II discuss countertransference issues that arise in the treatment of victims of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, including survivors of rape and early childhood trauma; children traumatized by urban violence; patients with multiple personality disorder; and acutely traumatized children. Part III examines therapists' reactions in work with victims of war trauma, civil violence, and political oppression, as well as other groups whose trauma must be understood in specific cultural and historical context. Explicit examples of avoidant and overidentification responses are presented. Finally, Part IV expands the discussion of trauma and countertransference to survivors of both direct and indirect trauma, such as that of rescue workers who, during natural disasters, are exposed to the threat of the disaster and the plight of those they attempt to help. Throughout, case vignettes illustrate the signs and symptoms of trauma-specific CTRs as they unfold during treatment. The roles through which clinicians can successfully engage survivors are also detailed. Rich with explicit suggestions for providing compassionate and intelligent care, this insightful volume is ideal for psychotherapists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals working with people suffering from PTSD. Similarly, Countertransference in the Treatment of PTSD is a valuable classroom text for courses dealing with the treatment of trauma victims and its implications for psychotherapists.

Table of Contents

I. Theoretical and Conceptual Foundations of Countertransference in Post-Traumatic Therapies 1. Empathic Strain and Countertransference, John P. Wilson and Jacob D. Lindy 2. Empathic Strain and Therapist Defense: Type I and II CTRs, John P. Wilson, Jacob D. Lindy, and Beverley Raphael 3. Empathic Strain and Countertransference Roles: Case Illustrations, Jacob D. Lindy and John P. Wilson II. Countertransference in the Treatment of Victims of Sexual, Physical, and Emotional Abuse 4. The Dance of Empathy: A Hermeneutic Formulation of Countertransference, Empathy, and Understanding in the Treatment of Individuals Who Have Experienced Early Childhood Trauma, I. Lisa McCann and Joseph Colletti 5. Countertransference in the Treatment of Multiple Personality Disorder, Richard P. Kluft 6. Inner City Children of Trauma: Urban Violence Traumatic Stress Response Syndrome (U-VTS) and Therapists' Responses, Erwin Randolph Parson 7. Countertransference in the Treatment of Acutely Traumatized Children, Kathleen Nader 8. Rape and the Phenomena of Countertransference, Carol R. Hartman and Helene Jackson III. Countertransference Reactions in Work with Victims of War Trauma, Civil Violence, and Political Oppression 9. Countertransference in the Treatment of Southeast Asian Refugees, J. David Kinzie 10. Determinant Factors for Countertransference Reactions under State Terrorism, Inger Agger and Soren Buus Jensen 11. Countertransference in the Treatment of War Veterans, Michael J. Maxwell and Cynthia Sturm 12. Countertransference and World War II Resistance Fighters: Issues in Diagnosis and Assessment, Wybrand Op den Velde, G. Frank Koerselman, and Petra G. H. Aarts IV. Countertransference in "At-Risk" Professionals: Rescue Workers, Mental Health Providers, and Persons at the Workplace 13. When Disaster Strikes: Managing Emotional Reactions in Rescue Workers, Beverley Raphael and John P. Wilson 14. Trauma and Countertransference in the Workplace, Christine Dunning 15. Countertransference, Trauma, and Training, Yael Danieli 16. Beyond Empathy: New Directions for the Future, Jacob D. Lindy and John P. Wilson Index

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

• NCID: BA25058332
• ISBN:
  • 0898623693
• LCCN: 93043029
• Country Code: us
• Title Language Code: eng
• Place of Publication: New York
• Pages/Volumes: xxv, 406 p.
• Size: 24 cm
• Classification:
  • LCC : RC552.P67
  • NLM : WM 170 C855 1994
  • DC20 : 616.85/21
• Subject Headings:
  • LCSH : Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Treatment
  • LCSH : Countertransference (Psychology)
  • LCSH : Psychotherapist and patient
  • MESH : Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic -- therapy
  • MESH : Countertransference (Psychology)
  • MESH : Professional-Patient Relations