Creative Therapies for Complex Trauma

In their excellent book, Anthea Hendry and Joy Hasler bring together a range of talented practitioners who explain and explore the dysregulating effects that developmental trauma can have on mind, body and brain, and what might be done to support developmentally traumatised children and their carers. Supported by vivid case examples, we see how the creative arts are themselves creatively used to great therapeutic effect to regulate bodies in distress, feelings in turmoil, and minds that are frightened and sad. David Howe, Emeritus Professor of Social Work, UEA, Norwich This book is a welcome addition to all helping professionals and educators who work with children and families challenged by complex trauma. These experienced practitioners provide practical wisdom on not only creative approaches, but also the key elements involved in effective healing relationships and positive attachment. This contribution to trauma literature clearly emphasizes how and why collaborative, creative interventions that include family, school staff and therapists are essential to support reparation and recovery. Cathy A. Malchiodi, PhD, LPCC, LPAT, ATR-BC, REAT-Executive Director, Trauma-Informed Practices and Expressive Arts Therapy Institute, Louisville, KY, USA Attachment theories are now well established as an evidence-based framework that supports client-centred approaches, and that have alerted us to the devastating impact of trauma on child development. It is therefore a real pleasure to recommend this informative and clearly laid-out book to any practitioner interested in helping children and families through the use of creative therapies. Although the focus is on complex trauma and helping children and families in foster care, kinship care and adoption, much of the book content will be relevant to gaining an understanding of how to approach other complex situations. The theoretical chapters in part 1 clearly explained some of the main concepts and enfolded really well as a series. In part 2, contributors' honesty and dedication to their clients shone through all the different chapters, which were very informative about real-life practice. The focus on education in part 3 was also welcome, as the incidence of serious trauma in any average classroom has risen dramatically. This is a well edited book that will be relevant to creative therapists, whether in training, newly qualified or experienced and is above all a good read. Dr Val Huet, Chief Executive Officer British Association of Art Therapists This is an important book. For people who already know as a matter of lived experience that childhood trauma can destroy lives this book will inspire hope and confidence in the capacity of the human spirit to recover. And for those who do not understand the impact of childhood adversity this book will enlighten and instruct through the depth of knowledge shared and the accessibility of the many stories illuminating the impact of trauma and recovery in everyday life. I hope that it will be read by many, and I am sure that those who do read it will treasure it. Kate Cairns, Director of KCA