TRAUMA IN PERSONALITY DISORDER

A Clinicians Handbook

THE MASTERSON APPROACH

When trauma and personality disorder combine, it is a therapeutic test for patient and treating clinician alike. Both face the challenge of hard, painful work in order to meet the goal of healing. For the clinician, this book presents a clear theoretical base for psychotherapy followed by a description of specific techniques. The theory is based on the developmental, object relations approach advanced by James F. Masterson, MD; the treatment is demonstrated in casebook form. Childhood trauma as well as present day PTSD is addressed, and four major types of personality disorder are delineated. Throughout, it is shown how trauma work and character work must be kept in balance so that the psychotherapy leads to its desired goal.