Group Approaches to Treating Traumatic Stress

Josef I. Ruzek, PhD, retired as Director of the Dissemination and Training Division of the National Center for PTSD in 2018, after 26 years in the organization. He is Distinguished Professor in Residence at Palo Alto University, Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and Adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. Dr. Ruzek has edited several volumes on the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and is a past member of the Board of Directors of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. He specializes in early intervention to prevent the development of PTSD, dissemination of evidence-based treatments for PTSD, and development and evaluation of internet- and smartphone-based interventions for trauma survivors.Matthew M. Yalch, PhD, is Associate Professor of Psychology at Palo Alto University, where he teaches courses in personality assessment and quantitative methodology. His research focuses on the intersection of trauma and personality, and he has published over 80 articles and book chapters in these areas. A clinical psychologist, Dr. Yalch is a recipient of the John E. Exner Scholar Award from the Society for Personality Assessment and the Enrico E. Jones Award for Research in Psychotherapy and Clinical Psychology from the Western Psychological Association.Kristine M. Burkman, PhD, is an Attending Psychologist at the San Francisco VA Health Care System and Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco. Her clinical work focuses on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorder, and moral injury, and she is a codeveloper of an empirically validated protocol for caring for military veterans who experience distress related to killing in combat. Dr. Burkman has supervised dozens of psychology and psychiatry trainees providing group psychotherapy for trauma survivors.

"This handbook is much needed. Group psychotherapy is widely used, yet underestimated and under-researched. After providing a concise guide to the basic principles of group treatment, the book presents the major evidence-based and evidence-informed group therapies for traumatic stress. Session-by-session descriptions are illustrated by well-chosen case examples. Contributors also discuss such important topics as the specifics of providing group therapy virtually, vicarious trauma exposure, and the need for self-care. This book is a pleasure to read. It belongs on the shelf (or even on the nightstand!) of every clinician who conducts group interventions with traumatized people."--Ulrich Schnyder, MD, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Switzerland"This book fills a critical gap in the literature. Ruzek and colleagues have assembled leading investigators of evidence-based treatments for traumatic stress who provide comprehensive and empirically grounded information on group approaches in the area. This book is a valuable resource for providers and trainees in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and social work."--Denise M. Sloan, PhD, Associate Director, Behavioral Science Division, National Center for PTSD at VA Boston Healthcare System; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine"A great addition to any trauma therapist's reading list. This is the first book I have seen that provides a comprehensive overview of group treatments for traumatic stress. The book's inclusion of multiple evidence-based treatment modalities and its focus on accessibility and equity make it a staple resource. This book will serve as an excellent text for graduate courses or clinical reference for practitioners."--Melanie D. Hetzel-Riggin, PhD, LP, Professor of Psychology and Director, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Penn State Erie, The Behrend College"The editors have done a fantastic job of assembling experts in the field to write on all aspects of group work with populations that have experienced trauma. I appreciate the book's readability and applicability. I would use this book as a primary text in a group or trauma counseling course, to highlight the intricacies of trauma and the practical use of group process in trauma-focused treatment."--Anthony Rivas, EdD, LMFT, LAC, MAC, Master's Program in Counselor Education, California State University, Sacramento"This unprecedented book provides state-of-the-art answers about why group therapy should be provided for various trauma types and clinical contexts. It describes what the current manualized evidence-informed procedures and heuristics are for clinicians who want to learn group therapy or enhance their practice. And it demonstrates how group therapy uniquely helps traumatized people not only to manage various PTSD symptoms, but also to broaden and build interpersonal skills, faith in humanity, belonging, trust, and empathy. A 'must read' for trainees, practitioners, supervisors, and clinical researchers."--Brett T. Litz, PhD, Director, Mental Health Core, Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiological Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System; Department of Psychiatry, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine-This book is excellent because it explains so many different types of group therapies. The case examples are helpful for applying theory in actual group settings. The authors are experts in the field with years of experience. This book is another wonderful work from Guilford Press. *****--Doody's Review Service, 5/24/2024

• I. Overview1. Introduction, Matthew M. Yalch, Josef I. Ruzek, & Kristine M. Burkman2. History and Principles of Group Therapy for Traumatic Stress, Matthew M. Yalch, Kristine M. Burkman, & Josef I. Ruzek3. Comparing Group Therapies for Trauma Survivors, Josef I. Ruzek, Kristine M. Burkman, & Matthew M. Yalch4. Basics of Group Therapy for Traumatic Stress, Kristine M. Burkman, Matthew M. Yalch, & Josef I. Ruzek5. Conducting Research on Group Treatments for Traumatic Stress Disorders: Is Science Chasing Practice?, J. Gayle Beck, Bre’Anna L. Free, Mya E. Bowen, Rimsha Majeed, Audrey B. Garrett, & Rivian K. LewinII. Group Modalities for Trauma-Related Problems6. Group Cognitive Processing Therapy, Carolina C. Ehlinger & Kathleen M. Chard7. Group-Facilitated Prolonged Exposure, Rebecca K. Sripada, Erin R. Smith, & Sheila A. M. Rauch8. Trauma Affect Regulation: Guide for Education and Therapy (TARGET) Group Therapy, Julian D. Ford & Katy Reid9. Group Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation, Malia L. Moreland & Brandon J. Weiss10. Group Delivery of Seeking Safety for Trauma and/or Addiction, Lisa M. Najavits & Summer Krause11. Inner Resources for Stress: Group-Based Mindfulness and Meditation for Trauma Treatment, Lynn C. Waelde12. Dialectical Behavior Therapy Skills Groups: Supporting Trauma-Focused Treatment Meredith S. Sears & Sarah M. Thompson13. Group-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Traumatic Stress, Jordana Hazam & Robyn D. Walser14. Race-Based Stress and Trauma Empowerment Group, Asale A. Hubbard, Melissa J. London, Maurice Endsley, Jr., & Tanya Erazo15. A Semistructured Interpersonal Approach to Group Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Matthew M. Yalch & Kristine M. Burkman16. Case Conceptualization-Based Functional Analytic Group Therapy for Trauma-Related Problems, Luc Vandenberghe17. Group-Based Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness, Ashley M. Schnakenberg Martin & Paul H. LysakerIII. Improving the Accessibility and Effectiveness of Group-Based Interventions18. Virtual Group Psychotherapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Leslie A. Morland, Tonya Masino, Ursula S. Myers, Tamara Wachsman, & Lisa Glassman19. Training and Supervision of Group Therapy for Trauma Survivors, Kristine M. Burkman, Matthew M. Yalch, & Josef I. Ruzek20. Evaluating Group Therapy for Trauma Survivors, Matthew M. Yalch, Kristine M. Burkman, & Josef I. Ruzek21. Expanding Concepts of Group Intervention, Josef I. RuzekIndex