The Child Survivor: Healing Developmental Trauma and Dissociation

by Joyanna L. Silberg

The Child Survivor is a clinically rich, comprehensive overview of the treatment of children and adolescents who have developed dissociative symptoms in response to ongoing developmental trauma. Joyanna Silberg, a widely respected authority in the field, uses case examples to illustrate hard-to-manage clinical dilemmas such as children presenting with rage reactions, amnesia, and dissociative shut-down. These behaviors are often survival strategies, and in The Child Survivor practitioners will find practical management tools that are backed up by recent scientific advances in neurobiology. Clinicians on the front lines of treatment will come away from the book with an arsenal of therapeutic techniques that they can put into practice right away, limiting the need for restrictive hospitalizations or out-of-home placements for their young clients.

Genres: Psychology, Mental Health, Nonfiction, Social Work

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2012

About the author

Joyanna Silberg is a psychotherapist and former president of the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation.

Reviews

[Long Soul System · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very important book on children, trauma and dissociation!
Silberg introduces the EDUCATE model, kinda like the phases of trauma treatment with case studies, different traumatic reactions, different families and origins, different difficulties and even legal procesures.
At times I felt discouraged about how easy has been for children to keep silent and no one to listen, but this book tells you "here are ways to listen to children and to STFU the mouths of grown ups who speak against them"

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Also it took me longer to finish than average because I felt triggered. But it was worth it.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding book for clinicians working with children. Theoretically grounded but gives practical and flexible tools for a child-centered, paced treatment. There are also helpful sections on working with parents, caregivers, schools, and the courts. Vignettes are given throughout to illustrate movement in treatment.

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read on the subject of surviving childhood trauma. Here the focus is on the problem of dissociation among children and adolescents, which is often the result of child abuse or neglect. It is not a self-help book, but is aimed at therapists and students. Well-grounded in science and clinical experience, the author suggests a pathway for children with dissociative symptoms, mainly victims of child abuse, to live healthy, contented lives — ones not haunted by their horrific past. Beautifully written with conviction and true empathy, the author does not patronise her clients, rather one feels strongly that she is 100% on their side.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A practical and comprehensive text for therapists working with children and adolescents presenting with dissociation. I appreciated that Silberg maintained a balance between realistic expectations for change (e.g., pace, working within systems) and hope for full recovery.

[Cindy Hammonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Resoure

This is an excellent resource for therapists working with traumatized children, It provides excellent descriptions, case studies, and. numerous carefully researched therapeutic techniques.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a lot of these types of books as I grew up in the realm of sexual abuse and as an adult have been dealing with the very issues introduced in this book. That being said, this book was more for the therapists on how to deal with various issues.

[Andrea María · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 . Es un libro que acerca al lector al mundo de un niño superviviente de trauma. Narra todo el proceso de terapia que puede ayudar a estos chicos a volver a ser funcionales y un "yo" completo. La disociación en niños es natural, pero si ocurren eventos traumáticos en la infancia temprana, los estados disociativos pueden derivar en un Trastorno de Identidad Disociativo (antes conocido como Personalidad Múltiple). El TID en adultos se presenta en cerca del 3% de la población. Se basa en estados disociativos que tienen estados emocionales distintos, formas de pensamiento y percepción del mundo. Aunque en niños es posible la integración de las partes relativamente fácil, en adultos no es tan sencillo y muchas veces no ocurre. Para un adulto disociativo este libro le enseñara su infancia y muchas cosas tendrán más sentido...