Welcome to the ISSTD Virtual Book Club Registration page.
We are getting ready to launch our next discussion for the Virtual Book Club on Monday, April 24, 2017 with Frances S. Waters on her new book, Healing the Fractured Child: Diagnosis and Treatment of Youth with Dissociation.
Written with the utmost sensitivity and clarity, “Healing the Fractured Child” by Frances Waters introduces a much needed discussion on the issue of diagnosis in children who present with mental health difficulties on a background of serious traumatic experiences. Most importantly she emphasises that co-morbid diagnoses may in fact be the manifestation of dissociation as a central feature. Similarly and quite appropriately she emphasises the importance of early attachment and therefore the need for the family system to be addressed in treatment.
Thirteen interesting chapters covering theory, assessment and treatment including pharmacotherapy, make his book extremely helpful to every practicing clinician - both emerging and experienced. Packed with valuable references and case anecdotes this book provides the reader with illustrative material that brings cases to life as it were, aiding the understanding of really complex issues - both state of mind as well as functioning of individual children. It has begun to highlight the rather piecemeal traditional assessment and treatment of children with major mental health problems, resulting in partial treatment, failed treatment and increasing morbidity when dissociative symptoms are not ruled out.
Because trauma inhibits the normally integrative functions of the brain, dissociative process becomes activated. There is much we know in this decade of the brain about the neurobiological effects of trauma which manifest symptomatically as dissociation. This knowledge can guide us in our clinical endeavours so we do not rely merely on a limited number of diagnostic categories when assessing children’s needs or relying mainly on pharmacotherapy which should be utilized in the service of stabilizing and reinforcing psychotherapeutic process.
These and many other valuable principles are to be gleaned from this book.
The virtual book club is conducted online through a discussion platform which will allow participants in all parts of the world to participate at times that are convenient for them. Discussion will be led by our moderators Rick Hohfeler, Joan Haliburn and Garrett Deckel along with the book author.
Please join us for this illuminating discussion.
SPECIAL ISSTD MEMBER DISCOUNT
Need to purchase the book for the upcoming Virtual Book Club? Professional Books, the ISSTD partner bookseller, is offering the book at the discounted price of $55.00 with a free shipping optionin the US. Visit the Professional Books website today to order your copy!
This is for ISSTD Members Only. If you are not yet a member and are interested in joining, please visit: ISSTD Membership page