An accessible user's guide to overcoming trauma from the creator of a scientifically proven form of psychotherapy that has successfully treated millions of people worldwide. Whether we’ve experienced small setbacks or major traumas, we are all influenced by our memories and by experiences we may not remember or fully understand. Getting Past Your Past offers practical techniques that demystify the human condition and empower readers looking to take charge of their lives. Shapiro, the creator of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), explains how our personalities develop and why we become trapped into feeling, believing and acting in ways that don't serve us. Through detailed examples and exercises readers will learn to understand themselves, and why the people in their lives act the way they do. Most importantly, readers will also learn techniques to improve their relationships, break through emotional barriers, overcome limitations, and excel in ways taught to Olympic athletes, successful executives, and performers. An easy conversational style, humor, and fascinating real life stories make it simple to understand the brain science, why we get stuck in various ways and how to achieve real change.

Discover the essential guide to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy (EMDR) from its pioneering creator, Francine Shapiro Gain insights into how painful life experiences are physically stored in our brains and how EMDR therapy can bring relief. Learn how EMDR techniques can be used to address trauma-related conditions, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other experience-based disorders by exploring clinical case studies. Understand why EMDR is hailed as the most important method to emerge in psychotherapy in decades. EMDR is fundamental reading for practicing psychotherapists and anyone interested in understanding trauma, healing processes, and achieving better mental health.

This read truly does have something for everyone who works with trauma and dissociative processes. --American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis This volume, which takes a multi-perspective approach to the practice of EMDR and Ego State Therapy, presents a wide variety of ways to integrate these two therapies, both with each other and with other complementary methods in the treatment of trauma and dissociation. --European Association for Body Psychotherapy EMDRIA has approved this book for a Distance Learning Book Course for 8 EMDRIA credits. This book pioneers the integration of EMDR with ego state techniques. and opens new and exciting vistas for the practitioners of each. --From the foreword by John G. Watkins, PhD, founder of ego state therapy This read truly does have something for everyone who works with trauma and dissociative processes. --American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis The editors have gathered many experts in the field who explain in clear informative ways how to expand the clinician's abilities to work with this terribly injured population. This book blends concepts from neurobiology, hypnosis, family systems theory and cognitive therapy to enhance treating this population. It is a well written book that the novice as well as the seasoned clinician can benefit from." --Mark Dworkin, author of EMDR and the Relational Imperative [This book] conveys complex concepts that will be of interest to seasoned therapists... with a clarity that will appeal to the novice as well. This is really a wonderful text with many excellent ideas and I highly recommend it to anyone who treats trauma. --Sarah Chana Radcliffe, M.Ed.,C.Psych.Assoc. Author, Raise Your Kids without Raising Your Voice "I believe that this book is a significant contribution to the fields of psychology and EMDR. It is the first of its kind... anyone who reads this will gain greater confidence in using EMDR and ego state therapy witih highly dissociative and complicated clients." --Sara G. Gilman, in Journal of EMDR Practice and Research, Volume 3, 2009 This is a book about polypsychism and trauma. It offers a number of creative syntheses of EMDR with several models of polypsychism. It also surveys and includes many other models of contemporary trauma theory and treatment techniques. The reader will appreciate its enrichment with case examples and very generous bibliographic material. If you are a therapist who works with patients who have been traumatized, you will want this book in your library." --Claire Frederick, MD, Distinguished Consulting Faculty, Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center Training in EMDR seems to have spread rapidly among therapists in recent years. In the process, awareness is growing that basic EMDR training may not be adequate to prepare clinicians to effectively treat the many cases of complex trauma and dissociation that are likely to be encountered in general practice. By integrating it with ego state therapy, this book may just serve as a crucial turning point in the development of EMDR by providing a model for productively applying it to the treatment of this important and sizeable clinical population. --Steven N. Gold, PhD, President Elect, APA Division of Trauma The powerful benefits of EMDR in treating PTSD have been solidly validated. In this groundbreaking new work nine master clinicians show how complex PTSD involving dissociation and other challenging diagnoses can be treated safely and effectively. They stress the careful preparation of clients for EMDR and the inclusion of ego state therapy to target the dissociated ego states that arise in response to severe and prolonged trauma.

The 20th anniversary edition of Edwidge Danticat's groundbreaking debut, now an established classic--revised and with a new introduction by the author, and including extensive bonus materials At the age of twelve, Sophie Caco is sent from her impoverished Haitian village to New York to be reunited with a mother she barely remembers. There she discovers secrets that no child should ever know, and a legacy of shame that can be healed only when she returns to Haiti—to the women who first reared her. What ensues is a passionate journey through a landscape charged with the supernatural and scarred by political violence. In her stunning literary debut, Danticat evokes the wonder, terror, and heartache of her native Haiti—and the enduring strength of Haiti’s women—with vibrant imagery and narrative grace that bear witness to her people’s suffering and courage.

"This volume is a welcome and excellent resource for all clinicians working with severely traumatized children." Francine Shapiro, PhD Founder, EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs "Over the past 15 years, Ms. Gomez has developed highly original and brilliant interventions for working with these very difficult to treat children. This book will be an enormous great gift to our field." Dr. Susan Coates Clinical Professor of Psychology in Psychiatry College of Physicians and Surgeons Columbia University This is the first book to provide a wide range of leading-edge, step-by-step strategies for clinicians using EMDR therapy and adjunct approaches with children with severe dysregulation of the affective system. Written by an author internationally known for her innovative work with children, the book offers developmentally appropriate and advanced tools for using EMDR therapy in treating children with complex trauma, attachment wounds, dissociative tendencies, and compromised social engagement. The book also presents the theoretical framework for case conceptualization in EMDR therapy and in the use of the Adaptive Information Processing model with children. Principles and concepts derived from the Polyvagal Theory, affective neuroscience, attachment theory, interpersonal neurobiology, developmental neuroscience and the neurosequential model of therapeutics, which can greatly support and expand our understanding of the AIP model and complex trauma, are presented. The text also offers an original and pioneering EMDR therapy-based model to working with parents with abdicated caregiving systems. The model is directed at assisting parents in developing the ability for mentalization, insightfulness, and reflective capacities linked to infantís development of attachment security. A unique and innovative feature of this book is the masterful integration of strategies from other therapeutic approaches, such as Play therapy, Sandtray therapy, Sensorimotor psychotherapy, Theraplay and Internal Family Systems (IFS), into a comprehensive EMDR treatment maintaining appropriate adherence to the AIP model and EMDR therapy methodology. Key Features: Provides creative, step-by-step, ìhow-toî information about the use of EMDR therapy with children with complex trauma from an internationally known and innovative leader in the field Explores thoroughly the eight phases of EMDR therapy in helping children with attachment wounds, dissociative tendencies and high dysregulation Incorporates adjunct approaches into a comprehensive EMDR therapy while maintaining fidelity to the AIP model and EMDR therapy methodology Contains an original EMDR therapy-based model for helping parents with abdicated caregiving systems to develop metalizing and reflective capacities

This is definitely a book whose time has come. One of the brilliant aspects of the EMDR therapy approach is that it makes it clinically possible to cut through social issues, and yet maintain its cultural consonance. From multiple contributions around the world, each chapter brings significant insights into how EMDR therapy can be culturally attuned and yet efficacious in preserving the individuality of each client. Highly recommended for those therapists who work in multi-cultural settings. -Esly Regina Carvalho, Ph.D., Trainer of Trainers, EMDR Institute/EMDR Iberoam rica and President TraumaClinic do Brasil/TraumaClinic Edições, Brasilia, Brazil. Underscoring the importance of cultural competence, this groundbreaking book focuses on using EMDR therapy with specific populations, particularly those groups typically stigmatized, oppressed, or otherwise marginalized in society. Drawing on social psychology research and theory as well as social justice and social work principles, it delivers general protocols for EMDR intervention for recovery from the internalized effects of cultural mistreatment. Employing best-practice methods for cultural competence as EMDR therapy is introduced to new cultures worldwide, the editor and esteemed EMDR clinician-authors relay their experiences, insights, guidance, and lessons learned through trial and error while adapting EMDR interventions for cross-cultural competency and therapeutic effectiveness The text defines cultural competence and validates the need for a multi-culturally aware approach to psychotherapy that embraces authentic socialidentities and attends to the impact of socially based trauma. Chapters address using EMDR therapy to heal the trans-generational impact of Anti-Semitism,working with the LGBT population, treating an immigrant woman suffering from social anxiety, healing individuals with intellectual disabilities, thetraumatizing effects of racial prejudice, harmful cultural messages about physical appearance, EMDR therapy attuned to specific cultural populations andsocially based identities, and many other scenarios. The text is replete with step-by-step treatment guidelines to help clients recover from traumatic lifeevents, dos and don‚Äôts, and common adaptive and maladaptive cultural beliefs. Key Features: Defines cultural competence and validates the need for a multi-culturally aware approach to psychotherapy Offers innovative protocols and strategies for treating socially based trauma within the EMDR model Presents best practice methods for cultural competence Includes step-by-step treatment guidelines and dos and don'ts Written by highly esteemed EMDR clinician-authors

"With this Second Edition of An EMDR Therapy Primer, Dr. Hensley has created a very clear step-by-step guide to assist the newly trained EMDR clinician. Not only will it help transition training into practice but also help those trained earlier who are looking to update their skills. I highly recommend this book for any EMDR clinician wanting to assure fidelity to the model and methods." —Rosalie Thomas, RN, PhD "I believe that Dr. Hensley has written a book that is simple, basic, and can mentor therapists who are EMDR trained and yet intimidated.This book brings us back to the basics." - Jennifer Lendl, PhD This is a step-by-step overview of the foundations of EMDR Therapy presented in easily accessible, conversational language. It helps both new and experienced clinicians to maximize their preparation and skills in using EMDR safely, confidently, and effectively. The second edition is fully revised to reflect the evolution of EMDR to an integrative psychotherapeutic approach and is intended for use as a companion to Francine Shapiroís seminal EMDR texts. It has been enriched with several new case histories along with extensive examples of successful EMDR reprocessing sessions. An abundance of new information addresses EMD versus EMDR; research on the mechanism, model, and methodology of EMDR Therapy; bilateral stimulation; ancillary targets; the why and the how of many key EMDR Therapy components; protocol for single and recent traumatic events; updated information about the cognitive interweave, future templates; and much, much more. The book provides concise coverage of the AIP model and EMDR principles, protocols, and procedures and addresses the types of targets accessed during the EMDR process. The book summarizes the Eight Phases of EMDR Therapy and the Stepping Stones of Adaptive Resolution the components of the standard EMDR protocol. The building blocks of EMDR Therapy past, present, and future are assessed with regard to appropriate targeting and successful outcomes, as are abreactions, blocked processing, and cognitive interweaves. Detailed case studies demonstrate strategies to assist the client in reaching adaptive resolution of trauma. New to the Second Edition: Completely revised and updated Reflects the evolution of EMDR to an integrative therapeutic approach Expands specialized EMDR techniques Includes new strategies to overcome obstacles Presents new transcripts and case studies Provides "Derailment Possibilities" to alert clinicians of potential obstacles to therapeutic success Extensive appendices include definitions for EMDR Therapy, EMDR Therapy scripts, and additional resources

From award-winning ProPublica reporter Marshall Allen, a primer for anyone who wants to fight the predatory health care system--and win. Every year, millions of Americans are overcharged and underserved while the health care industry makes record profits. We know something is wrong, but the layers of bureaucracy designed to discourage complaints make pushing back seem impossible. At least, this is what the health care power players want you to think. Never Pay the First Bill is the guerilla guide to health care the American people and employers need. Drawing on 15 years of investigating the health care industry, reporter Marshall Allen shows how companies and individuals have managed to force medical providers to play fair, and shows how you can, too. He reveals the industry's pressure points and how companies and individuals have fought overbilling, price gouging, insurance denials, and more to get the care they deserve. Laying out a practical plan for protecting yourself against the system's predatory practices, Allen offers the inspiration you need and tried-and-true strategies such as: Analyze and contest your medical bills, so you don't pay more than you should Obtain the billing codes for a procedure in advance Write in an appropriate treatment clause before signing financial documents Get your way by suing in small claims court Few politicians and CEOs have been willing to stand up to the medical industry. It is up to the American people to equip ourselves to fight back for the sake of our families--and everyone else.

In recent years, a profound revolution in psychotherapy has brought affects to their rightful place. Along with cognitions, drives, and behavior, affects are one of the modalities that must be interpreted by theory and embraced by therapy in understanding both normal and pathological personality development. Here, John Omaha synthesizes a vast range of information about affect regulation and presents for readers an intervention, Affect Management Skills Training (AMST), that can be used with clients to regulate affects. The first four chapters of this book assemble current empirical and theoretical information about affect into an overall picture of how self-structure emerges in infancy, and what can happen when the infant-caregiver dyad malfunctions. The second part of the book is the center of Omaha's work where he presents clinical skills for psychotherapeutic interventions for affect regulation that are the focus of the book. The seven basic and several ancillary AMST interventions are designed to help clients remediate deficits in affect regulation and to promote the emergence of a more adaptive, positively functioning self. AMST, a bilateral stimulation protocol derived from EMDR, will be of interest to all clinicians working with clients who need to work on affect regulation.

Dr Paulsen's narrative and 100 cartoons assist therapists and clients to understand trauma and dissociation, from giving a voice to disowned parts of self, to stabilizing and detoxifying memories.