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This book is part of the ongoing collection, "the
series in trauma and loss," with consulting editors Charles Figley
and Therese Rando. In introducing this volume the editors remind us, "Trauma
and grief therapy is faced with the responsibility of responding to new
challenges in the treatment of traumatized persons. Understanding grief
and trauma theory and treatment well, and taking care of one's own trauma,
is now a responsibility of all psychotherapists."
In the foreword we are reminded of the world view change
that accompanied 9/11. While that redefined most everything,
it is also a strong spotlight on what trauma has always meant
for its victims. "Over and over, the theme that emerged
from discussions with those who survived - particularly those
who knew victims killed in the attack - was an extraordinary
shift in worldviews. Whether we speak here of the horrors
with The World Trade Center buildings or a recently captured
newspaper photo of a grandmother clutching her dead granddaughter
on the front steps of her house after being gunned down by
a stray bullet in a gang war, trauma changes everything,
at least for a time, and victims need the space of that journey
and informed caregivers to accompany them. "I never
thought it could happen to me." The assumptions of our
world and our selves are changed by trauma. This book is
that story.
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