This book gives readers critical insights into the human impact of extreme trauma, and the various levels of mental impairment suffered by both victims and survivors. Renowned trauma experts William Dorfman and Lenore Walker give this book immediate relevance through the use of real-life examples from a wide range of crisis situations. They have also deliberately minimized research citations within the text for greater readability.

Police, firefighters, and paramedics are highly exposed to traumatic events and experience markedly higher rates of PTSD than others in the community, also facing distinct organizational challenges that complicate their stress reactions. Often, this results in needs not addressed in manuals developed for people who have survived single traumatic events. This book provides an overview of theoretical and empirical frameworks for understanding PTSD in first responders and outlines practical, evidence-based approaches to assess and treat PTSD in these populations.

Different faces of stress -- Traits of emergency responders -- Stress on the job -- Critical incident stress -- Stress at home -- Shift work and sleep -- Development of competence in emergency responders -- Personal stress management program.

This edited volume provides mental health clinicians with knowledge to effectively work with current and former first responders. It provides strategies on how to best develop and adapt clinical assessment procedures and therapeutic interventions to better meet the unique needs found in these settings. Chapters synthesize existing literature to introduce the reader to profession-specific factors issues that exist in these contexts and describe the challenges that can present when working with police, firefighters, EMS, emergency communications operators, crime scene investigators, and corrections personnel. The book covers a range of topics that clinicians and trainees need to understand the relevant issues, develop effective treatment plans, and deliver appropriate psychological services in public safety settings. First Responder Mental Health: A Clinician’s Guide will be essential reading for mental health professionals working with first responders, as well as those in training.

Silent Mayday is the book clinicians have been waiting for. It breaks down the culture and traditions of the Fire Department and allows an outsider a seat at the kitchen table.Learn from an expert in the industry whose lifelong passion for public service has propelled him to a career serving those who serve others. This guide should be on every clinician's bookshelf so they can better serve the unique needs of first responders.

"This is an excellent book, written by the foremost authority in the field. [It] is easy to read and does a nice job integrating theory and research." Score: 95, 4 stars --Doody's Walker's seminal, groundbreaking book The Battered Woman Syndrome (BWS) has forged new directions in the field of domestic violence for over 30 years. Now, the highly anticipated, third edition offers thoroughly updated and revised research on key topics, including posttraumatic stress disorder, learned helplessness or learned optimism, the cycle theory of violence, and much more. This third edition presents updated data generated from the newly modified Battered Woman Syndrome Questionnaire (BWSQ). With a new focus on culture and ethnicity, these data detail the experiences of foreign women who either live in their country of origin or the U.S. Like its popular predecessors, this new edition serves as a valuable resource for both professional counselors and students studying domestic violence. Discussions on the revised criteria for the BWS and PTSD: Posttraumatic stress and re-experiencing the trauma High levels of anxiety and arousal Emotional numbing, avoidance behaviors, and depression Disrupted interpersonal relationships Distorted body image and physical illnesses Sexual issues, including feelings of guilt, shame, and jealousy Key topics discussed: Attachment issues for battered women and the men who batter them Substance abuse and addiction Risk factors for further abuse Women in prison and battered women who kill their abusive partners in self-defense The Survivor Therapy Empowerment Program (STEP) which helps women better understand how the violence has impacted their lives

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