Understanding and Healing Emotional Trauma: Conversations with pioneering clinicians and researchers

263 Pages·2014·1.54 MB·English

by  Daniela F. Sieff

Understanding and Healing
Emotional Trauma
Understanding and Healing Emotional Trauma is an interdisciplinary book which
explores our current understanding of the forces involved in both the creation and
healing of emotional trauma. Through engaging conversations with pioneering
clinicians and researchers, Daniela F. Sieff offers accessible yet substantial
answers to questions such as: What is emotional trauma? What are the causes?
What are its consequences? What does it mean to heal emotional trauma? How
can healing be achieved?
These questions are addressed through three interrelated perspectives:
psychotherapy, neurobiology and evolution. Psychotherapeutic perspectives take
us inside the world of the unconscious mind and body to illuminate how emotional
trauma distorts our relationships with ourselves and with other people (Donald
Kalsched, Bruce Lloyd, Tina Stromsted, Marion Woodman). Neurobiological
perspectives explore how trauma impacts the systems that mediate our emotional
lives and well-being (Ellert Nijenhuis, Allan Schore, Daniel Siegel).
And evolutionary perspectives contextualise emotional trauma in terms of the
legacy we have inherited from our distant ancestors (James Chisholm, Sarah
Blaffer Hrdy, Randolph Nesse).
Transforming lives affected by emotional trauma is possible, but it can be a
dif(cid:191) cult process. The insights shared in these lively and informative conversations
can support and facilitate that process. This book will therefore be a valuable
resource for psychotherapists, psychologists, counsellors and other mental health
professionals in practice and training, and also for members of the general public
who are endeavouring to (cid:191) nd ways through their own emotional trauma. In
addition, because emotional trauma often has its roots in childhood, this book will
also be of interest and value to parents, teachers and anyone concerned with the
care of children.
Daniela F. Sieff is an independent writer and scholar, with a PhD in biological
anthropology, and an active interest in the dynamics of the psyche.
‘Insightful and thought provoking: Sieff opens our eyes to a deeper understanding
of how the brain, mind, and body can heal following emotional trauma. Interviews
with pioneering psychotherapists, theorists, neurobiologists, and evolutionary
researchers help us bridge the gap between clinical practice, theory, and research.
A must read for all clinicians and researchers seeking insight into the workings of
the mind following psychological trauma, as well as for lay-readers who seek to
understand their own trauma and how it might be healed.’ – Ruth A Lanius, MD,
PhD, Harris Woodman Chair, Professor of Psychiatry, University of Western
Ontario.
‘This is a treasure chest of diverse perspectives on trauma. We are treated to a
satisfying mix of leading evolutionary thinkers, stellar neurobiological researchers
and distinguished Jungian and other psychotherapists, all offering rich and
in-depth insights on a subject that requires inter-disciplinary joined-up thinking.
Most importantly, the interview style works, and Sieff’s sensitive question-posing
and surefooted comments and editing make the reading easy, vibrant and always
stimulating.’ – Graham Music is a Consultant Child and Adolescent Psycho-
therapist at the Tavistock and Portman Clinics in London, UK, and author
of Nurturing Natures and The Good Life.
‘In my work with business leaders and leadership teams, in my own professional
and private life, and in my role as a parent, I am continually reminded of the
importance of emotional and psychological health. Sieff has made accessible the
latest, fascinating thinking of the pioneers of trauma and healing. I highly
recommend Understanding and Healing Emotional Trauma to all those seeking a
deeper, yet practical and readable understanding of the process of healing trauma
to create emotional well-being – whether for their work, or for their personal
lives.’ – Michael Rennie, Global Leader, Organisation, People and Leadership
Practice, McKinsey & Co Management Consultants.
‘This compelling collection of interviews with outstanding scholars and therapists
of our day offers a creative and comprehensive understanding of trauma and its
effects. Sieff’s book reveals her unique ability to distil the essence of the ideas of
each of her subjects into a series of succinct but profound questions. She has
shaped their replies into a book in which complex ideas concerning trauma are
presented in an accessible conceptual frame. As such it will be of interest to many
and a signi(cid:191) cant new resource for those who seek to integrate the best of the new
thinking concerning trauma into their clinical practice.’ – Margaret Wilkinson,
Jungian training analyst and author of Coming into Mind and Changing
Minds in Therapy.
Understanding and Healing
Emotional Trauma
Conversations with pioneering
clinicians and researchers
Daniela F. Sieff
First published 2015
by Routledge
27 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 2FA
And by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa
business
© 2015 Daniela F. Sieff
The right of Daniela F. Sieff to be identi(cid:191)ed as author of this work has
been asserted by her in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or
utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now
known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in
any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identi(cid:191)cation and explanation
without intent to infringe.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
Understanding and healing emotional trauma : conversations with
pioneering clinicians and researchers / edited by Daniela F. Sieff.
p. ; cm.
ISBN 978-0-415-72081-6 (hbk) -- ISBN 978-0-415-72084-7 (pbk) --
ISBN 978-1-315-74723-1 (ebk)
I. Sieff, Daniela F., editor
[DNLM: 1. Stress, Psychological--physiopathology. 2. Stress,
Psychological--psychology. 3. Biological Evolution. 4. Stress Disorders,
Traumatic--physiopathology. 5. Stress Disorders, Traumatic--psychology.
WM 172.4]
RC552.T7
616.85’21--dc23
2014021390
ISBN: 978-0-415-72081-6 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-0-415-72084-7 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-74723-1 (ebk)
Typeset in Times
by Saxon Graphics Ltd, Derby
For the contributors,
with deep gratitude for their work
This page intentionally left blank
Contents
Acknowledgements ix
Notes on contributors xi
Introduction 1
DANIELA F. SIEFF
PART I
Psychodynamic perspectives 9
1 Uncovering the secrets of the traumatised psyche:
the life-saving inner protector who is also a persecutor 11
DONALD E. KALSCHED AND DANIELA F. SIEFF
2 Return from exile: beyond self-alienation, shame and
addiction to reconnect with ourselves 25
J. BRUCE LLOYD AND DANIELA F. SIEFF
3 Dances of psyche and soma: re-inhabiting the body in the
wake of emotional trauma 46
TINA STROMSTED AND DANIELA F. SIEFF
4 Spiralling through the apocalypse: facing the Death Mother
to claim our lives 64
MARION WOODMAN AND DANIELA F. SIEFF
PART II
Neurobiological perspectives 89
5 The selves behind the self: trauma and dissociation 91
ELLERT R.S. NIJENHUIS AND DANIELA F. SIEFF
viii Contents
6 On the same wave-length: how our emotional brain is shaped
by human relationships 111
ALLAN N. SCHORE AND DANIELA F. SIEFF
7 Beyond the prison of implicit memory: the mindful path to
well-being 137
DANIEL J. SIEGEL AND DANIELA F. SIEFF
PART III
Evolutionary perspectives 161
8 Live fast, die young: an evolved response to hostile environments? 163
JAMES S. CHISHOLM AND DANIELA F. SIEFF
9 The natural history of mothers and infants: an evolutionary and
anthropological perspective 182
SARAH BLAFFER HRDY AND DANIELA F. SIEFF
10 Emotional evolution: a Darwinian understanding of suffering
and well-being 203
RANDOLPH M. NESSE AND DANIELA F. SIEFF
PART IV
Concluding perspective 219
11 Connecting conversations: expanding our understanding to
transform our trauma-worlds 221
DANIELA F. SIEFF
Index 237
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, I want to thank the contributors to this book. Irrespective of
whether they (cid:191) rst met me as a graduate student 25 years ago, or when I turned up
with a list of questions and a digital voice recorder, they were generous and
gracious in their support of this project.
The beginnings of this book were serendipitous. Sarida Brown inadvertently
planted the seeds when she invited me to interview Donald Kalsched for Caduceus,
the magazine she had founded. I circulated that article to women who have
completed the leadership training programme with the Marion Woodman
Foundation. Their enthusiastic response inspired this book. I am grateful to Sarida
for her initial invitation and to the women of the Marion Woodman Foundation
for their encouragement.
During the eight years it has taken me to put together this book, I have been
accompanied, supported and encouraged by many different people in many
different ways. They include, Laura Bear, Angela Bernstein, Evelyn Brown, Ray
Bunce, Barbara Chapman, Marco Compagnoni, Marian Dunlea, Judith Harris,
Dave Henry, Louise Holland, Graham Hull, Bobbie Lloyd, Paula Mahoney, Tania
Matos, Punita Miranda, Madeleine O’Callaghan, Maja Reinau, Bruce Sansom,
Amanda Sieff, Christina Shewell, Tina Stromsted, Jane Warren, Margaret
Wilkinson, Tony Woolfson and the late Ross Woodman. Each of them has made
a unique and vital contribution.
Phil Chalmers and Nicki Lee have helped me to remain embodied while
working on this book, and their contribution has been equally important.
In recent years my thinking has been enriched by stimulating discussions with
the members of my evolutionary psychotherapy group: Jim Hopkins, John Launer,
Graham Music, Michael Reiss, Annie Swanepoel and Bernadette Wren. They
have also offered me much appreciated support and encouragement.
As each chapter moved towards being (cid:191) nalised, I asked friends and colleagues
for feedback. They were extraordinarily generous with their time and care, and
this book is better for their suggestions. They include: Kent Anderson, Barbara
Chapman, Louise Holland, Isabelle Laurent, Annie Swanepoel, Bruce Sansom
and Maja Reinau. In this context, I especially want to thank my half-sister,
Amanda Sieff, who read nearly every chapter – I am touched and indebted to her
for all that she has contributed.