Skip to main content

Spiritually Oriented Psychotherapy for Trauma- A Book Review


SPIRITUALLY ORIENTED         

PSYCHOTHERAPY   
FOR TRAUMA

 Edited by

 Donald F. Walker, 
Christine A. Courtois, 
Jamie D. Aten

 Reviewed by

    Geoffrey W. Sutton

 Publisher: American Psychological Association

 This book is an excellent resource for clinicians considering the spiritual concerns of people who have experienced trauma. The treatment of trauma has a long history. As clinicians who have treated people with trauma, we have learned many techniques and become acquainted with other options such as medication and therapeutic animals. However, the spiritual dimension has been somewhat neglected until recently. This book helps fill in the gap.

The twelve chapters cover multiple topics beginning with an overview of spirituality and ethical considerations in psychotherapy for trauma. Other chapters offer insights into aspects of trauma where religion or spirituality may be a major concern such as spiritual struggles, the problem of evil, and changes in God-image linked to sexual abuse.

Clinicians will also find helpful forms and checklists.

See more information in my published review, which can be downloaded.

 

 Related Post

Christian Counseling and Psychotherapy Books


Reference

Sutton, G. W. (2017). [Review of the book Spiritually oriented psychotherapy for trauma by D.F. Walker, C.A. Courtois, & J.D. Aten (Eds.)]. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 36, 90-91.  Academia Link    ResearchGate Link  

Related articles

Sutton, G. W. (2008). Christianity, Psychotherapy, and Psychology: An analysis of an Integrative Psychotherapy Model. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 36, 139-141.  Academia Link    Research Gate Link

Sutton, G. W. (2011). [Review of the book Counseling and psychotherapy: A Christian perspective by Siang-Yang Tan]. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 30, 87-88.  Academia Link    Research Gate Link  

Sutton, G. W. (2014). [Review of the book Evidence-based practices for Christian counseling and psychotherapy by E.L. Worthington Jr., E.L. Johnson, J.N. Hook, and J.D. Aten]. Encounter. Accepted for publication May 2014.  Academia Link    Research Gate Link

Sutton, G. W. (2019). [Review of the book Lay Counseling: Equipping Christians for a helping ministry: Revised & Updated by S. Tan & E. Scalise]. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 38, 57-59.  Academia Link    Research Gate Link  

Sutton, G. W., Arnzen, C., & Kelly, H. (2016). Christian counseling and psychotherapy: Components of clinician spirituality that predict type of Christian intervention. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 35, 204-214. Academia Link    ResearchGate Link

Sutton, G. W., Kelly, H., Worthington, E. L. Jr., Griffin, B. J., & Dinwiddie, C. (2018) Satisfaction with Christian psychotherapy and well-being: Contributions of hope, personality, and spirituality. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 5 (1), 8-24. doi: 10.1037/scp0000145  Academia Link    ResearchGate Link

Connections

   My Page    www.suttong.com
   My Books   AMAZON     GOOGLE PLAY STORE
   FACEBOOK   Geoff W. Sutton
   TWITTER  @Geoff.W.Sutton

Publications (many free downloads)
  Academia   Geoff W Sutton   (PhD)     
  ResearchGate   Geoffrey W Sutton   (PhD)








Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Great Sex Rescue – Challenging Harmful Evangelical Messages

  The Great Sex Rescue – Challenging Harmful Evangelical Messages   By Sheila Wray Gregoire, Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach, & Joanna Sawatsky   Reviewed by   Geoffrey W. Sutton Review Summary The Great Sex Rescue is an evangelical Christian approach that challenges messages in several other Christian sex books, which do not focus on the sexual pleasure of women. In addition, the three writers challenge messages that emphasize dutiful wives meeting their husband’s sex needs regardless of how she feels or what aspects of a sexual experience would bring her more wholistic pleasure. T he authors offer a more woman-friendly interpretation of  biblical texts that have been interpreted in unfriendly ways. More troubling are Christian sexual activity messages that may encourage men to simply use their wives for their pleasure or even abuse them. After explaining their concerns, the authors offer suggestions for better sex including addressing medical p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Rape as Power: Revisiting Susan Brownmiller’s Against Our Will in Historical and Cultural Context

    Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape       by Susan Brownmiller   Reviewed by   Geoffrey W. Sutton Abstract  Susan Brownmiller’s Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape (2013), originally published in 1975, reframed rape as a political act of power and control rather than an isolated crime of passion. Drawing on history, law, warfare, slavery, racial politics, prisons, and cultural and victim narratives, Brownmiller argued that rape functions as a conscious tool of domination. This review summarizes her central arguments, highlights the book’s historical and cultural significance, and provides a historical framework against which we can measure progress or the lack thereof (Sutton, 2025, October 1). Keywords: rape, feminism, sexual violence, power, gender, survivor advocacy   CITE THIS REVIEW Sutton, G. W. (2025, October 1). Rape as Power: Revisiting Susan Brownmiller’s Against Our Will in Historical and Cultural Context....
Post a Comment
Read more

Mastering Your Mind: A Guide to Rational Living

  Mastering Your Mind: A Guide to Rational Living By : Albert Ellis and Robert Harper Reviewed by Geoffrey W. Sutton PhD I was introduced to Albert Ellis’ theory of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy as a graduate student in 1974 by Professor Robert Dolliver III (1934 - 2021) at the University of Missouri. I had accumulated a number of courses in philosophy along with my focus on psychology thus, Ellis’ approach made a lot of sense to me. In my clinical practice, I found that many of my highly educated patients found the New Guide to Rational Living helpful. Following is a summary of the book. A New Guide to Rational Living by Albert Ellis and Robert Harper introduces the concepts of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) to the general public. In this self-help manual, Ellis provides strategies for thought balancing, also known as cognitive reframing. The book aims to help individuals overcome negative thoughts and emotions that hold them back in life. Here are the key conce...
Post a Comment
Read more