Mindfulness-Based Interventions for Trauma and Its Consequences

People suffering from posttraumatic 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 behaviors through an attitude of non-judgment, 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.