Rebuilding Attachments with Traumatized Children: Healing from Losses, Violence, Abuse, and Neglect / Edition 1

by Richard Kagan

Overview

A psychologist who works with children in crisis who have lost trust in adults due to parental abuse or neglect presents his approach, based on attachment theory and research, to rebuilding such bonds. He explains tools for facilitating trauma therapy, in particular, his Real Life Heroes life-story workbook (Haworth, 1998). Appendices includes sample assessment forms and a suggested game therapy format. Dr. Kagan is affiliated with a mental health center in Albany, NY, and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Annotation © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138169661
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	01/29/2016
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	390
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

	Preface	xi
	Acknowledgments	xv
Part I	Lifelines
Chapter 1.	Attachment	3
	Trauma Damage to Neurodevelopment	3
	Attachment Theory and Research	4
	Attachment and Behavior Patterns	12
	Attachment and Behavior Problems	17
	Facilitating Attachment	19
	Promoting Resilience	24
	Conclusion	26
Chapter 2.	Angel or Demon?	27
	Two Boys	27
	The Impact of Neglect and Violence	31
	Trauma and Neurological Functioning: Theory and Research	35
	Conclusion	40
Chapter 3.	The Curse of Neglect	41
	Introduction	41
	How Neglect Disrupts Attachment	44
	Neglect and the Social Service System	46
	Statistics and Research on Abuse and Neglect	50
	Conclusion	53
Part II	Rebuilding Attachments
Chapter 4.	Breaking the Curse	57
	Introduction	57
	Myths That Perpetuate Abuse and Neglect	59
	Obstacles to Rebuilding Attachments	72
	Methods of Rebuilding Attachments	74
	Conclusion	78
Chapter 5.	Restoring Hope and Safety	81
	Introduction	81
	Investigating Child Abuse and Neglect	83
	Developing Service Plans for Traumatized Children in Placement	97
Chapter 6.	Reparenting the Hurt Child	101
	Introduction	101
	Tools for Parenting Traumatized Children	102
	Steps and Tools for Rebuilding Attachment	104
	Conclusion	127
Chapter 7.	Permanency	129
	Introduction	129
	Activities That Foster Attachment	130
	Rights and Responsibilities Within Families	142
	Skill-Building Activities	146
	Signs of Attachment	148
	Conclusion	150
Part III	The Making of a Hero
Chapter 8.	Telling the Story	155
	Introduction	155
	Trauma Therapy	157
	Life Stories: From Shame to Strength	171
	Detoxifying Traumas	180
Chapter 9.	Real Life Heroes	183
	Life-Story Work	183
	The Real Life Heroes Workbook	189
	Redefining Heroes for Children	194
	Finding Heroes	196
	Supporting Heroes	199
	Protecting Heroes	201
	The Hero's Challenge	203
Chapter 10.	The Magic of Parents	205
	Understanding and Treating Trauma and Attachment Disorders	205
	Rising Above Trauma	219
	The Parent's Life Story	220
Chapter 11.	A Hero's Story: Using the Real Life Heroes Workbook	223
	Introduction	223
	Beginning the Journey	223
	Contents of Workbook	226
	Objectives of Workbook	229
	Adapting the Workbook for Adolescents and Young Children	237
	Facilitating Storytelling	238
	Self-Soothing Skills	240
	Attachment and Trauma Therapy	241
	Adoption	243
	Completion of the Workbook	244
Chapter 12.	Impasse and Beyond	247
	Introduction	247
	Getting Past the Impossible	248
	Calling a Crisis	250
	Therapeutic Tools for Breaking Impasse	251
	Obstacles to Breaking Impasse	258
	Beyond Impasse	265
Chapter 13.	Into the Future	267
	The Quest	268
	The Therapist's Role	270
	Crossing the Threshold	270
	Reconnecting	273
	Working with Time	275
	Advocacy for Parents	277
	The Making of a Hero	278
Appendix A.	Important People	279
Appendix B.	Attachment Ecogram	283
Appendix C.	Outline of Assessments and Interventions	289
Appendix D.	Real Life Heroes: A Progressive, Developmental Curriculum	299
	Overview	299
	Introduction of the Real Life Heroes Model	301
	Caring Adult Resource Development	303
	Chapter by Chapter, Developing Strengths	305
	Completion of Life Story Work	314
Appendix E.	Chapter by Chapter, Stronger and Stronger	317
Appendix F.	Utilizing Impasse	319
Appendix G.	Game Therapy Illustration	325
	Notes	333
	References	339
	Index	357

Editorial Reviews

5 Stars! from Doody

Reviewer: Nicholas Greco IV, MS, BCETS, CATSM, FAAETS (C3 Education and Research, Inc.)
Description: This is a heartfelt yet strongly empirical journey into the pain and suffering that some children unfortunately suffer and endure. It highlights the need and ability to help rebuild attachments and trust into children's lives.
Purpose: The purpose is to help children develop self-esteem and overcome difficult experiences in their lives. The reader is given an opportunity to feel the pain and understand the perspectives of children in distress. The reader is also given a look into the strengths and weaknesses of the families and the potential for rebuilding connections and hope. The author has exceeded his objectives.
Audience: This book is intended for child and adolescent mental health professionals and trauma therapists. To a lesser extent, interested caregivers may benefit as well. The author shares his 27 years of experience as well as his compassion and love for children.
Features: The book is an exploration into the complicated facets of traumatized children. It dispels the myths, stereotypes, and opens the readers mind to the pain, suffering, and emotional roller coaster these children unfortunately have to face. What I found most interesting are the case vignettes which really help to drive home the message the author conveys and essentially puts a persona behind the text. Even more provocative are the emotions readers feels as they delve further into the book.
Assessment: Clearly, this is one of the finest books on child and adolescent trauma written by a truly compassionate individual. A much needed and welcome addition to the field of psychology.

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