This practical book equips nurses and healthcare practitioners with essential knowledge and skills for understanding and supporting people who are experiencing mental and emotional distress as a result of the unresolved effects of past trauma. The book explores why people experiencing stress or distress due to adverse events in the distant or recent past, may use what are sometimes called ‘maladaptive’ coping mechanisms to relieve the intensity of their feelings. The skills-based approach of the book addresses key topics around adverse childhood events and trauma in ways which demonstrate the humanity of people living with mental health diagnoses or mental and emotional distress. Supporting readers to respond effectively and compassionately to people experiencing this type of distress, this book is informed throughout by anonymised service user perspectives and includes examples of good practice, suggestions for small changes that make meaningful differences, and reflective activities. Promoting practice that enables people who have experienced trauma to feel safer, more hopeful, and function at their best, this guide is an essential read for all health professionals.
