title: Benefits of a contextual approach to understanding and treating complex trauma.
abstract: The conceptual framework and treatment rationale of contextual therapy are described. Contextual therapy was specifically fashioned for survivors of prolonged child abuse (PCA). It is grounded in the observation that contexts beyond abuse trauma, especially restrictions in psychological development stemming from growing up in an ineffective family environment, appreciably impact the adjustment of many PCA survivors. Contextual therapy proposes that remediation of developmental gaps commonly manifested by PCA survivors is essential to equip them to (a) benefit from rather than be debilitated by trauma processing and (b) move beyond symptom reduction to the attainment of adequate social and occupational functioning.
authors.affiliation: Trauma Resolution & Integration Program, Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA. gold@nova.edu
authors.forename: Steven N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Gold
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002648:Child; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*