Restoring Mentalizing in Attachment Relationships : Treating Trauma With Plain Old Therapy

In Restoring Mentalizing in Attachment Relationships: Treating Trauma With Plain Old Therapy, Jon G. Allen, Ph.D., argues that the incorporation of mentalizing into attachment theory and research provides a solid foundation for trauma treatment, and offers therapists and patients a pathway to recovery. In plain language accessible to clinicians and laypeople alike, Allen describes trauma in attachment relationships, reviews the literature, and makes a compelling, evidence-based argument for the efficacy of psychotherapy. Specifically, the book: - Presents a comprehensive view of attachment trauma across diverse diagnostic conditions, directly linking these to the psychotherapeutic interventions that work best.- Allows therapists from different theoretical frameworks, by using these best practices, to treat patients with a wide range of problems and disorders.- Situates mindfulness and mentalizing as central to secure attachment, focusing clinicians' attention on these most critical dimensions of healing relationships.- Provides a thorough review of the research on attachment, mindfulness, and mentalizing, and evaluates the effectiveness of the most popular trauma treatments, thereby equipping clinicians to treat patients across the spectrum of trauma-related psychiatric disorders.- Employs a down-to-earth, conversational writing style that makes the book accessible to patients and family members as well as to professionals. Trauma can be the result of blatant events, such as violence, abuse, and neglect, or the subtle yet pervasive failure to connect. Both contribute to developmental psychopathology and cause lasting emotional pain. "Plain old therapy," according to Allen, is a valuable and proven resource for addressing trauma and treating patients with complex psychiatric disorders. This fascinating and eminently useful book should help to restore psychotherapy to its well-deserved stature. The essence of "plain old therapy," according to the author, is a mindful relationship between the patient and a trusted clinician who recognizes and understands the patient's trauma, and connects with the nature and magnitude of his or her suffering. In "Restoring Mentalizing in Attachment Treating Trauma With Plain Old Therapy", Allen, a clinical psychologist with widely respected expertise in trauma, makes a research-based case for the virtues of the healing relationship created and nurtured through traditional psychotherapy. Though in recent years, therapy has become just one of many treatment options for posttraumatic stress disorder and other trauma-related illnesses, the author argues that it remains the best. The book provides a conceptual framework for treating trauma patients and illuminates relationship factors that are empirically associated with positive outcomes. Patients who have suffered broken and dysfunctional attachments will benefit from its emphasis on trust, compassion, and true connection. Mental health clinicians of diverse theoretical orientations - be they psychiatrists, psychologists, or social workers, in training or practice - will benefit from its emphasis on what works. Writing in plain language for a broad audience of professionals and laypersons, Allen (The Menninger Clinic) asserts that trauma may be understood as a consequence of mental pain experienced in psychological isolation. He defines 'plain old therapy' as a relationship in which the therapist's empathy allows the patient to no longer feel alone in his or her emotional pain. The author offers a new vision of development, of trauma genesis, and of therapeutic interaction, linking attachment theory to research in mindfulness, self-compassion, and mentalizing (attention to mental states such as thoughts and feelings in self and others). Focus is on trauma in attachment relationships and the many symptoms and disorders that stem from such trauma, such as anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, suicide, PTSD, and dissociative disorder. A final chapter is devoted to existential-spiritual perspectives. Case examples, summary charts, and chapter-ending key points are included. The author teaches psychiatry at the Baylor College of Medicine. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) The essence of "plain old therapy," according to Jon G. Allen, is a mindful relationship between the patient and a trusted clinician who recognizes and understands the patient's trauma and connects with the nature and magnitude of his or her suffering. Attachment, mentalizing, and trauma Posttraumatic stress and dissociative disorders Complex traumatic stress disorders Evidence-based treatments Plain old therapy Existential-spiritual perspectives.