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Who You Were Before Trauma

The Healing Power of Imagination for Trauma Survivors

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Who You Were Before Trauma

By: Luise Reddemann
Narrated by: Rosemary Benson
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About this listen

A key objective of treatment for complex PTSD is to confront the traumatic experience. But survivors still reeling from trauma can find this confrontation traumatic. Thirty years of pioneering work with trauma patients made leading German psychotherapist Luise Reddemann realize: It's immensely beneficial to rebuild survivors' sense of self before trauma confrontation.

Reddemann incorporates imagination work at every stage of the three-phase treatment model supported by the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies - before, during, and after confrontation.

First, the patient reimagines their past self, tapping into forgotten sources of strength. Then, they create a mental cache of personal, positive images for warding off flashbacks and negative thinking. Ultimately, they build an "internal counterweight" to their trauma-a new identity equipped with self-compassion.

Reddemann's approach avoids the counterproductive dynamic where the therapist becomes the patient's only source of comfort. This definitive resource for therapists and patients empowers trauma survivors to be the coauthors of their own recovery narrative.

©2001 J. G. Cotta'sche Buchhandlung (P)2020 Tantor Mental Health Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Survival Health
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For examples of exercises see the story graph buddy read. Most exercises require visualization which isn't aphantasia friendly. Some require a safe relationship such as with a therapist.

Some can be done alone such or listing daily activities you've mastered such as tying shoelaces, walking... to make you feel less incompetent at life. Some passages are validating and she keeps not at zero , but horror stories of trauma are kept vague and to a minimum.

So glad I found this gem in the Plus catalogue. Please support this author either by multiple listens or getting a copy whether audio book form. This is the kind of book that will require more than a single read to be able to bookmark and come back to your favourite exercises, there are quite a few.

diverse Exercises for those who can Visualize

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