"A highly impressive volume describing the first treatment for this population that has had published empirical validation....Essentially, what Dr. Najavits provides is a comprehensive buffet of skill-based therapy topics with accompanying handouts. From the 26 topics presented, the therapist can then select which issues are most relevant to a particular client or group of clients....The handouts provided are clear, and generally user friently both to clinicians and clients. There is a fair amount of structure to the treatment, yet the author continually encourages clinicians to tailor the treatment to their personal style and the constraints of a clinical situation (i.e., time, setting). She is very clear on what is a ''must'' in the treatment (and why) and what is a guideline. This gives the clinician the structure of a manual as well as the freedom to be a flexible, creative clinician....This treatment manual is an impressive contribution to both substance abuse and PTSD fields, as well as the target comorbid diagnostic arena. It is highly recommended for all clinicians."--"Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy"
"The "Seeking Safety "manual itself is designed to be clinician-friendly and provides a plethora of patient and therapist information and handouts. Each chapter proves to be easily accessible, including a summary of the session coping skill, a therapist orientation to the topic, ideas for session preparation, session content, and examples of tough cases. Also included in each coping skills chapter are patient materials. These are thoughtfully designed, adding key points, examples, alternatives and suggestions, and ideas for how to apply the material to daily life. In theprotocol introduction, there is a wealth of information about PTSD and substance abuse and a section on what is not part of the treatment (focused trauma work). Therapist processes are also addressed throughout the manual with a kind eye to the difficulty of helping individuals with this dual diagnosis recover. The "Seeking Safety" manual is action-oriented, information and detail-focused and is also attentive to the emotional pain that brings people into treatment....In sum, Seeking Safety has scientific merit, clinical wisdom, provides an excellent philosophy and protocol for the ''time and resource-strained clinician, '' and patients like it!"--"Journal of Trauma Practice"
"Given the prevalence of patients with both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance abuse diagnoses and their complex interactions, this volume makes an important and timely contribution."--"Psychotherapy Research"
"I am impressed with the work and thought that has gone into this publication. It is a fairly comprehensive work on how to manage the dual disorders of PTSD and substance abuse."--"Canadian Journal of Psychiatry"
..."valuable reading for anybody who has contact with this group of patients."--"Cognitive Behaviour Therapy"
"The strength of this manual is its comprehensiveness. The book reveals the author''s extensive clinical experience working with this population and her keen ability to apply the basic principles of cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal therapies in ways that are concrete and practical....fills a long-standing gap in the assessment and treatment of PTSD and substance abuse. Najavits'' thoroughness and her commitment to ongoing research in this area areillustrated by her inclusion of a questionnaire for patients and therapists who use the manual to provide input about what worked and what didn''t. Psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and any clinicians who conduct therapy with this population will benefit from owning this manual."--"Psychiatric Services"
"This manual provides a well-researched treatment approach developed specifically for the difficult-to-treat but common dual diagnosis of post traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse. The author gives much of herself, her thoughts and past experiences in the preface, including reservations that are no easy answers....the book is a very useful tool, well organized and imaginative."--"Addiction Today"""
"Fills a tremendous gap in treatment resources....Provides clinicians with an empirically based and well-developed treatment program that enables them to intervene in comorbid SUD and PTSD in an integrated way....Provides a breath of fresh air by rising above the often contentious debate on whether cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic interventions, or 12-step-oriented approaches are the best treatment model....The manual is well organized, easy to use, and relevant to the treatment needs of individuals with comorbid PTSD and SUD. It is an innovative, flexible, and practical program that is adaptable to a variety of treatment settings. Although this manual is particularly useful for clinicians, I highly recommend it as a resource for students and researchers who seek to gain a better understanding of the treatment needs of individuals who have concomitant SUD and PTSD as well."--"Criminal Justice Review"
