1st Edition

Handbook of Traumatic Loss A Guide to Theory and Practice

Edited By Neil Thompson, Gerry R. Cox, Robert G. Stevenson Copyright 2017
    426 Pages 14 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    426 Pages 14 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    The Handbook of Traumatic Loss adopts a broad, holistic approach that recognizes traumatic loss much more fully as a multidimensional human phenomenon, not simply a medical condition. Initial chapters build a foundation for understanding traumatic loss and explore the many ways we respond to trauma. Later chapters counterbalance the individualistic focus of dominant approaches to traumatic loss by highlighting a number of thought-provoking social dimensions of traumatic loss. Each chapter emphasizes different aspects of traumatic loss and argues for ways in which clinicians can help deal with its many and varied impacts.

    List of Figures  Editors and Contributors  Foreword  Preface  Acknowledgements  Introduction  Part One: Making Sense of Traumatic Loss  Introduction  1. Traumatic Loss: An Existentialist Perspective Neil Thompson  2. Spirituality and Traumatic Loss: Pathways to Healing through Spiritual Classics and Focusing Kimberly L. Sangster and Aoife C. Lee  3. Assisted Death and Suicide: Comparing Grief Reactions Erica G. Srinivasan  4. Traumatic Grief, Crisis, and Attachment Patterns, Susan Adams  5.Exploding Houses, Wild Animals, and Spiders: Dreams and Nightmares Following Sudden or Traumatic Death Janet Buntrock  6. Responding to Childhood Trauma Mary Walsh and Neil Thompson  7. Old Age and Assaults on the Self: A Disenfranchised Form of Trauma? Sue Thompson  8. Understanding and Managing Youth and Elderly Suicide in Developed East Asia: The Imperative of Compassion in Public Health Andy H. Y. Ho, Cheryl H. K. Chui and Monica Borshel  Part Two: Responding to Traumatic Loss  Introduction  9. Coping with the Aftermath of Trauma and Loss Rob Stevenson  10. Compassionate Death Telling in Sudden and Traumatic Deaths Dan Festa  11. Using Art to Aid Trauma Recovery Sandra Bertman  12. How to Say "It" When No One Can: Death Notification & Children, Teens, and Adults: Grief After Sudden or Traumatic Death Michelle Post  13. Family Therapy and Traumatic Losses Stephanie Rabenstein and Darcy Harris  14. Miming in the Choir: The Impact of  Traumatic Loss and Lessons for Caregivers Irene Renzenbrink  15. The Impact of Trauma Work on Professional Staff: The Omagh Bomb Paula McFadden  16. Closure for the 96? Sudden Death, Traumatic Grief and the New Hillsborough Inquests Mike Brennan  Part Three: Societal Issues and Responses Introduction  17. Theorizing Trauma: A New and Critical Understanding Jason Powell and Paul Taylor  18. A Critical Look at Trauma and its Treatment Darcy Harris and Rebecca Machado  19. Pouring Salt in an Open Grief: The Traumatizing Antics of the Westboro Baptist Church, Harold Ivan Smith  20. Family Response to Traumatic Loss Paul C. Rosenblatt  21. The Thing that Happened: Hope and Healing at Hope North Uganda Janet McCord  22. Losing inhibitions? Young Women, Alcohol, and Loss in the Nighttime Economy Melissa Stepney and Paul Stepney  23. Trauma and the American Indian Societies Gerry Cox  24. Disenfranchised Grief and Trauma Kenneth J. Doka  Conclusion  Afterword  Index

    Biography

    Neil Thompson is an independent writer, educator, and adviser based in Wales. He was formerly the editor of the US-based international journal, Illness, Crisis, & Loss and currently runs the Avenue Professional Development Programme.

    Gerry R. Cox is professor emeritus of sociology/archaeology at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, former director of the Center for Death Education & Bioethics, and a member of the board of directors of the National Prison Hospice Association.

    Robert G. Stevenson is senior professor in the graduate counseling program of Mercy College in New York and a recipient of the New York State Defense of Freedom Medal. He developed the first independent course on death education at the high-school level and taught it for 25 years

    "The Handbook of Traumatic Loss, drawing upon work by leading clinicians and researchers, is a major contribution to the field of loss and trauma. Deepening and enriching our understanding of traumatic loss, this carefully crafted book is an essential read."

    Christopher Hall, CEO, Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement

    "The Handbook of Traumatic Loss is an excellent, comprehensive examination of the subject by the editors and their colleagues. The chapters in each section are rich with theoretical and clinical wisdom and insights that will be helpful to the clinician, theorist, researcher, and interested reader. Highly recommended."

    Inge B. Corless, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN, professor in the school of nursing at the MGH Institute of Health Professions

    "The Handbook of Traumatic Loss analyzes many different types of traumatic loss in a notable effort to achieve a holistic appreciation of both the individuals affected and the social contexts in which such losses occur. The result is a distinctive contribution to improving understandings of the complex challenges presented by traumatic losses and to developing better ways of responding to those affected by such encounters."

    Charles A. Corr, PhD, member of the board of directors at Suncoast Hospice Institute, an affiliate of Empath Health, Clearwater, Florida