Secondary Trauma

This book focuses on secondary trauma as distinct from other forms of psychological trauma and PTSD. While PTSD has garnered considerable attention in the literature, secondary trauma afflicts a far greater number of people. Secondary trauma refers to the spread of negative emotional and cognitive states from those who are traumatized to those who have close contact with these individuals. While PTSD and other forms of primary trauma can negatively alter one’s self-perception and result in a fearful distrust of one’s environment, secondary trauma taxes and drains one emotionally but often does not cause a weary distrust of the environment and negative self-view. The book delineates how, when, and where secondary trauma occurs and provides the latest information on treatments. it is noted that unlike primary trauma and PTSD which respond to traditional treatments such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and exposure therapy, secondary traumatization is best addressed with interventions such as targeted social support, various exercise interventions, mindfulness, yoga, animal assisted therapy, and immersion in natural environments. Secondary trauma is a common and commonly ignored stressor whose impact is wide ranging. This volume accessibly brings this problem to the fore and is a resource for all of those who deal with "silent sufferers" and paves the way for further, necessary study.

Robert W. Motta, Ph.D., ABPP is a Professor Emeritus of Psychology and founder of the Child and Family Trauma Institute at Hofstra University, New York. There he served as chairperson of the Psychology department and founded an American Psychological Association accredited PsyD psychology doctoral program. He has published more than 100 scientific papers and book chapters as well as four books, including Alternative Therapies for PTSD: The Science of Mind-Body Treatments, published by the American Psychological Association. 

Dr. Motta is board certified in cognitive-behavioral psychology and behavior therapy. He is the former president of the School Division of the New York Psychological Association, is a licensed clinical psychologist and certified school psychologist.