Book Review: Struggle Well: Thriving in the Aftermath of Trauma

Like me, you’ve probably seen people crumble and fail to recover from trauma (big or small) and you’ve also probably seen others who come through their experiences with clearer eyes, stronger spirits, straighter backs, and deeper wells of empathy and compassion. Perhaps they are even able to use their experiences in profoundly creative ways. The Japanese concept of kintsugi treats breakage and repair as part of the history of an object rather than something to disguise. People can be proud of their scars, and some even transform them into memoir or service, or embellish them literally with tattoos and other approaches that celebrate the strength and courage they had—or learned to have—in the face of trauma. Ken Falke and Josh Goldberg work with combat veterans battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), helping them understand and process their experiences and grow from them. The authors have a wealth of real-world experience and deep compassion for those with whom they work. Their new book, Struggle Well: Thriving in the Aftermath of Trauma, translates those experiences and perspectives into useful information for readers who wants to make peace with the past, live in the present, and thrive in the future. The foreword, written by Captain Charlie Plumb, (Ret.) US Navy, establishes a common thread throughout the book: the authors’ approach is illuminated by their own personal stories and those of veterans with whom they have worked. The stories aren’t simply ...
Source: Psych Central - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Book Reviews Disorders General Memory and Perception Personal Stories Psychology PTSD Self-Help Trauma Treatment combat Falke Goldberg Struggle Well Therapy veteran Source Type: news