Coping with Trauma-Related Dissociation - Patient Skills Manual

In this review of Coping with Trauma-Related Dissociation - Patient Skills Manual, the bottom line is simple: therapists and survivors seeking practical, patient-focused tools will find a clear, compassionate resource worth keeping on hand. The book is written primarily for people living with complex trauma and dissociative disorders and for clinicians who need accessible exercises to use in therapy. Its single biggest reason to buy is the practical workbook-style approach: short educational pieces, homework sheets, and exercises designed to improve emotion regulation and internal communication among dissociative parts.

Key Features

• Patient-oriented content: Short educational sections and exercises make concepts about dissociation and PTSD easy for patients to grasp and apply.
• Homework sheets: Structured assignments help clients practice skills between sessions and track progress over time.
• Emotion regulation tools: Practical strategies are provided to manage intense emotions and reduce the interference of dissociation in daily life.
• Inner communication techniques: Exercises support collaboration among dissociative parts to improve internal cooperation and reduce internal conflict.
• Targeted problem areas: The manual includes guidance for common issues such as triggers, traumatic memories, sleep problems, and relational difficulties relevant to complex trauma survivors.

Who It's For

The manual is best for clinicians and therapists who work with survivors of complex trauma and dissociative disorders and who want a ready-to-use, patient-friendly set of exercises to assign in-session and as homework. It is also highly suitable for motivated clients who prefer a workbook approach and want concrete steps to practice emotion regulation and internal dialogue.

Those who should look elsewhere include readers seeking an exhaustive theoretical text on dissociation or a highly technical neurobiological treatise; this volume emphasizes practical skills and accessible explanations rather than dense academic theory.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear, compassionate writing that makes difficult concepts about dissociation accessible to patients.
• Practical exercises and homework that therapists can apply directly in treatment plans.
• Wide coverage of everyday problems tied to dissociation, including sleep and relational issues.

Cons

• Not an exhaustive academic reference for those seeking deep theoretical or neurobiological detail.

Specifications

Title	Coping with Trauma-Related Dissociation: Skills Training for Patients and Therapists
Authors	Suzette Boon, Kathy Steele, Onno van der Hart Ph.D.
Series	Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology
Award	2011 ISSTD Pierre Janet Writing Award
Focus	Patient-oriented manual with exercises and homework sheets
Topics covered	Dissociation, PTSD, emotion regulation, triggers, sleep, relationships

Our Verdict

For clinicians and motivated survivors of complex trauma, this manual delivers practical, evidence-informed exercises that translate into better symptom management and improved internal communication. It is good value as a hands-on supplement to therapy because of its clear writing, structured homework, and focus on real-world problems faced by those with dissociative disorders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for use in therapy?
Yes. The manual was written with both patients and therapists in mind and includes worksheets and exercises designed for clinical use.

Does the book cover sleep and relationship issues related to dissociation?
Yes. It specifically addresses sleep problems and relational difficulties as part of the practical coping strategies.

Is this an academic textbook?
No. The emphasis is on accessible, patient-focused skills rather than exhaustive theoretical or neurobiological analysis.