Mindfulness-Oriented Interventions for Trauma Integrating Contemplative Practices

Grounded in research and accumulated clinical wisdom, this book describes a range of ways to integrate mindfulness and other contemplative practices into clinical work with trauma survivors. The volume showcases treatment approaches that can be tailored to this population's needs, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), and mindful self-compassion (MSC), among others. Featuring vivid case material, the book explores which elements of contemplative traditions support recovery and how to apply them safely. Neurobiological foundations of mindfulness-oriented work are examined. Treatment applications are illustrated for specific trauma populations, such as clients with chronic pain, military veterans, and children and adolescents.

Victoria M. Follette, PhD, is Foundation Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her work has focused on treating complex trauma using acceptance and commitment therapy. A Fellow and past president of the Western Psychological Association, Dr. Follette is coeditor of Mindfulness and Acceptance: Expanding the Cognitive-Behavioral Tradition.

John Briere, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Psychology at the Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), and Director of the USC Adolescent Trauma Training Center, National Child Traumatic Stress Network. He is a recipient of the Robert S. Laufer Memorial Award for Scientific Achievement from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and the Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Science of Trauma Psychology from Division 56 of the American Psychological Association. Designated a “Highly Cited Researcher” by the Institute of Scientific Information, Dr. Briere has published widely in the areas of trauma, child abuse, and interpersonal violence, as well as the application of mindfulness to trauma therapy.

Deborah Rozelle, PsyD, is a certified therapist and Approved Consultant in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. She trains and consults widely on psychological trauma, trauma therapy, and their relation to contemplative practice. Dr. Rozelle is on the faculties of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the Nalanda Institute for Contemplative Science in New York City. She is a long-time practicing Buddhist and has a clinical practice in Lexington, Massachusetts.

James W. Hopper, PhD, is Clinical Instructor in Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. His work as a consultant, clinician, and researcher has focused on the effects of child abuse and sexual assault, the nature of traumatic memories, the psychology and biology of trauma, and the brain bases of meditation and other spiritual practices. Dr. Hopper trains and consults with a wide range of organizations and professionals.

David I. Rome is a teacher, writer, and editor focusing on applications of contemplative methods in personal and social change. He has directed the development of the Garrison Institute’s Transforming Trauma initiative as well as programs applying contemplative methods in K-12 education and environmental change work. Mr. Rome is the developer of mindful focusing, a contemplative technique integrating Focusing and Buddhist mindfulness-awareness practices, and is a senior trainer with the Focusing Institute and Shambhala International.

Introduction, Victoria M. Follette, John Briere, Deborah Rozelle, James W. Hopper, & David I. Rome
I. Foundations
1. Pain and Suffering: A Synthesis of Buddhist and Western Approaches to Trauma, John Briere
2. Healing Traumatic Fear: The Wings of Mindfulness and Love, Tara Brach
3. Cultivating Self-Compassion in Trauma Survivors, Christopher K. Germer & Kristin Neff
II. Adapting Contemplative Approaches
4. Mindfulness and Valued Action: An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Approach to Working with Trauma Survivors, Jessica Engle & Victoria M. Follette
5. Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Trauma Survivors, Devika R. Fiorillo & Alan E. Fruzzetti
6. Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Chronic Depression and Trauma, J. Mark G. Williams & Thorsten Barnhofer
7. EMDR and Buddhist Practice: A New Model of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment, Deborah Rozelle & David J. Lewis
8. The Internal Family Systems Model in Trauma Treatment: Parallels with Mahayana Buddhist Theory and Practice, Richard C. Schwartz & Flint Sparks
9. Teaching Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness to Women with Complex Trauma, Trish Magyari
10. Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy: A Contemplative Approach to Healing Trauma, Doralee Grindler Katonah
11. Yoga for Complex Trauma, David Emerson & Elizabeth K. Hopper
III. Neurobiological/Somatic Issues and Approaches
12. Harnessing the Seeking, Satisfaction, and Embodiment Circuitries in Contemplative Approaches to Trauma, James W. Hopper
13. An Interpersonal Neurobiology Approach to Developmental Trauma: The Possible Role of Mindful Awareness in Treatment, Daniel J. Siegel & Moriah Gottman
14. Embedded Relational Mindfulness: A Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Perspective on the Treatment of Trauma, Pat Ogden
IV. Special Applications and Populations
15. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Underserved Trauma Populations, Mary Ann Dutton
16. Mindfulness in the Treatment of Trauma-Related Chronic Pain, Ronald D. Siegel
17. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Loving-Kindness Meditation for Veterans with Trauma, David J. Kearney
18. Treating Childhood Trauma with Mindfulness, Randye J. Semple & Laila A. Madni
19. Mindfulness and Meditation for Trauma-Related Dissociation, Lynn C. Waelde
20. Focusing-Oriented Therapy with an Adolescent Sex Offender, Robert A. Parker
21. Intensive Vipassana Meditation Practice for Prisoners with Trauma, Jenny Phillips & James W. Hopper
22. Cognitively Based Compassion Training for Adolescents, Brooke Dodson-Lavelle, Brendan Ozawa-de Silva, Geshe Lobsang Tenzin Negi, & Charles L. Raison
Conclusion, John Briere, Victoria M. Follette, Deborah Rozelle, James W. Hopper, & David I. Rome
Index