Abstract
Self-compassion is a powerful antidote to shame and a crucial component of healing from the impact of complex trauma. As self-compassion becomes more widespread, it is crucial that compassion-based concepts and practices are integrated in trauma treatment in a skillful and client-focused manner. This involves developing a comprehensive interpersonal and attachment-based formulation of the client’s trauma experience and its sequelae. This chapter provides guidance for therapists engaged in the treatment of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Evidence for the relationship between self-compassion and trauma symptoms is presented alongside findings from the intervention literature. Following this, I provide a phase-based approach to integrating self-compassion into treatment for complex PTSD. Starting with developing an attachment-based formulation for the client’s experiences, I describe principles and practices for working with self-compassion in the context of their attachment and trauma history.
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Brähler, C. (2023). Self-Compassion in Trauma Treatment. In: Finlay-Jones, A., Bluth, K., Neff, K. (eds) Handbook of Self-Compassion. Mindfulness in Behavioral Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22348-8_20
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22348-8_20
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Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-22347-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-22348-8
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyBehavioral Science and Psychology (R0)