Jon R. Conte – författare

Hearing the Internal Trauma offers therapists an innovative clinical model for understanding what happens within a sexually abused child. Combining the latest research findings in child development, early attachment, sexual abuse, and trauma with extensive clinical experience, this clearly written book assists therapists in not only recognizing signs of a child or adolescent's abuse but also developing effective therapeutic interventions. Author Sandra Wieland first provides a clear description of how children and adolescents present themselves in therapy, identifying how distress from abuse can be exhibited in their play, conversation, and behavior. Then, using a carefully balanced combination of psychoanalytic, behavioral, and cognitive therapies, Wieland imparts a psychodynamic trauma-focused therapy designed especially for abused children and adolescents. Including illustrative case examples of play or conversation as well as the therapist's thought processes, the book describes therapy with children, adolescents, and their nonperpetrator or perpetrator parents. Also included is a thoughtful discussion of the effects a therapist's own experiences and internalizations can have on the therapy process. Easy to read yet thought-provoking, Hearing the Internal Trauma is ideal for therapists, social workers, mental health practitioners, and interns working with this client population. Advanced students will also find the book instructional and enlightening.

The chapters in this book are intended to describe what is known and what is not known in several specific areas of childhood abuse. The opening interview with Roland Summit gives readers an opportunity to get acquainted with a pioneer in the field. An instrumental force in the study of child sexual abuse, Summit has indelibly impacted the work of the remaining authors and the field in general. The interview provides a personal and historical view of the development of the field and identifies problems and issues all professionals should be prepared to deal with.

A beginning chapter looks at the development of child sexual abuse research. Internationally recognized scholars, practitioners, and thinkers who have based their contributions on both research and practice experience emphasize the most critical unknowns in his or her area, reflecting on the subject much as Dr. Summit might have in the early days of finding out the now "knowns." Chapters focus on sexual offenders, children's memory, adult memory for trauma, children as victims, treatment challenges of traumatized victims, victims in court, and treatment of dissociate identity clients.