This book introduces readers to the various forms of trauma individuals encounter every day. It offers an individualized approach to understanding trauma. It asks important questions that help one understand how various forms have impacted and shaped one’s life. Readers also discover step-by-step guides for assessing and managing trauma as well as ways to reduce it. Throughout the book, a multitude of definitions are given that help one understand trauma and its emotional and psychological effects. Blended into the scientific analysis of trauma is a cultural analysis that examines the historical role of trauma in American society, especially after the September 11th terrorist attacks, which made counselors and psychologists realize they lacked the training and equipment to treat widespread trauma in America.

Even though readers encounter many technical terms and explications throughout this book, they also find insightful, personal narratives by the author. These narratives help one understand exactly how far behind the field of trauma studies has been for decades. The author also shares the excitement of being at the forefront of new conceptualizations of trauma that have transformed how society, psychologists, and counselors view, diagnose, and treat trauma today.

One of the ways this work stands out is how it offers valuable and comprehnsible teaching on disorders like PTSD, which in the last twenty years has become a commonly diagnosed disorder. The book provides readers with an easily understandable outline of PTSD markers that can help them recognize if they or a loved one are experiencing it. The book also examines how important an individual’s initial years are to their emotional and psychological development, and it provides a concise overview of brain development that helps readers understand the importance of providing a stable, supportive environment to children in at least their first four years of life.

As more and more Americans—particularly those who identify as Gen Z—experience loneliness, the chapters pertaining to rejection are significantly important to readers. These pages dissect attachment rupture and attachment disruptions, which influence how individuals perceive and accept rejection. These pages also explore unresolved attachment, specifically loneliness, and the negative consequences of unresolved loneliness, which can result in a variety of antisocial behaviors. The book then poses a series of useful dynamic building blocks that readers can begin incorporating into their lives in order to take a healthy approach to overcoming trauma. The graphs and charts, as well as the personal narratives, make this book accessible even for those who do not have a background in trauma studies, counseling, or psychology.

For readers who are interested in emotional intelligence and human psychology, this book is a strong resource. For those who want to simply better understand their own mental health and responses to certain situations, this book provides helpful guides that help them embark on a path to self-awareness. Contreras has crafted a strong resource for anyone working in the mental health profession. However, it could also be incorporated into nursing and even leadership curriculums in order to help individuals in those fields navigate traumatic situations in a world where mental health is becoming a key focus.

Nominted for the 2024 Eric Hoffer Book Award

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