What Doesn't Kill Me Makes Me Stronger: The New Psychology of Trauma and Transformation - Softcover

Stephen Joseph

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0349400016 ISBN 13: 9780349400013

Publisher: Piatkus Books, 2012

Synopsis

For the past twenty years, pioneering psychologist Stephen Joseph has worked with survivors of trauma. His studies have yielded a startling discovery: that a wide range of traumatic events from illness, divorce, separation, assault, and bereavement to accidents, natural disasters, and terrorism can act as catalysts for positive change. Boldly challenging the conventional wisdom about trauma and its aftermath, Joseph demonstrates that rather than ruining one’s life, a traumatic event can actually improve it.

Drawing on the wisdom of ancient philosophers, the insights of evolutionary biologists, and the optimism of positive psychologists, What Doesn’t Kill Us reveals how all of us can navigate change and adversity traumatic or otherwise to find new meaning, purpose, and direction in life.

About this title

About the Author

Stephen Joseph is professor of psychology, health and social care at the University of Nottingham, where he is co-director of the Centre for Trauma, Resilience and Growth and an honorary consultant psychologist in psychotherapy.

Review

We live in a world in which suffering is endemic.In this book Stephen Joseph sounds a hopeful note. Suffering need not destroy Terry Waite CBE In this fascinating book, Stephen Joseph maps out the rarely explored positive consequences of trauma, reminding us that growth is possible even in the most adverse circumstances Richard Bentall, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool What Doesn't Kill Us - indeed does and can make us stronger as brilliantly presented by Professor Stephen Joseph and lived throughout my every day Dr Gill Hicks MBE, survivor of the London Bombings, July 7, 2005 In an area beset by wishful thinking, Stephen Joseph makes the scientific case for how difficult times can lead to personal growth. What Doesn't Kill Us is a well-argued and well-evidenced challenge to the idea that trauma is necessarily a curse Vaughan Bell, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, London What Doesn't Kill Us is a book of wisdom-both for those who have undergone great stress as well as for those who love and treat them.It is psychology at its best: honest, hopeful, helpful, and based on sound serious research. Reading it makes me proud to be a psychologist Robert J. Wicks, Professor, Loyola University Maryland and author of Bounce: Living the Resilient Life This is the book we have been waiting for Stephen Joseph to write. With decades of experience and knowledge, Joseph presents the wonderfully complex world of posttraumatic growth in an accessible and personable way. Not only does the book provide the most-up-to-date research, What Doesn't Kill Us offers tangible approaches to developing growth after trauma; a feat that will be valued by many Dr Kate Hefferon, Senior Lecturer, University of East London and author of Positive Psychology: Theory, research and applications This is a caring and thoughtful account, arguing for the normality of post-traumatic stress as a process of adaptation. Professor Joseph presents a personal and positive perspective, showing how people can come through painful experiences and live fulfilling lives ... His THRIVE model provides a coherent approach to helping traumatised people Dr Nigel Hunt, Associate Professor in Health Psychology, University of Nottingham [What Doesn't Kill Us] is highly educational about the dynamics of posttraumatic growth and related concepts. It is a rare feat to produce a book that will appeal and be useful to the general public, as well as scholars and practitioners. Joseph has done so John Harvey, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of Iowa Convincingly challenging, highly enlightening, and compulsively readable, What Doesn't Kill Us is thoroughly recommended for both those who have and have not experienced trauma. A transformational new perspective Elaine Iljon Foreman, author of Fly Away Fear: Overcoming Your Fear of Flying and co-author of Depression for Dummies [Professor Stephen Joseph] has ably blended his many years of research and clinical practice into an enlightened story of posttraumatic growth. This is a book that should be read by all who encountered trauma and those who love and treat them Donald Meichenbaum, PhD Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada and Research Director of the Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment of Victims of Violence, Miami, Florida Stephen Joseph's book is inspirational and, not just for the lay reader but also for all therapists, regardless of their theoretical orientation, as trauma is an inherent part of their work. It goes far beyond the narrow confines of current clinical approaches to working with trauma and posttraumatic stress and challenges all clinicians to think about what we actually say and do in the consulting room ... To say that it is essential reading would be an understatement. It is essential as a survival guide to life Stephen Regel, Honorary Associate Professor/Co-Director Centre for Trauma, Resilience and Growth School of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Nottingham Despite the upbeat message, Joseph is no Pollyanna - thankfully, he never seeks to diminish the very real distress and terror experienced by those who have suffered PTSD. In the end, he makes a compelling, honest and hopeful argument in favour of Nietzsche's dictum that what doesn't kill us, does indeed make us stronger. -- Jennifer O'Connell Sunday Business Post (Ireland) 20120318

Edition details

• Publisher: Piatkus Books
• Publication date: 2012
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0349400016
• ISBN 13: 9780349400013
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 317