APA Guidelines for Working with Adults with Complex Trauma Histories
Learn about the new set of guidelines approved by the APA Council of Representatives at the APA 2024 convention in Seattle, August 2024.
APA’s clinical and professional practice guidelines are science-backed tools that showcase the latest clinical and practice knowledge for clinicians.
Developed by Division 56 (Trauma Psychology) of the American Psychological Association and the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD)
OUR LEADERSHIP FOR 2025
Jessica Punzo, Psy.D.
President
Dr. Jessica Punzo is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Illinois and also an active member of PSYPACT. She completed her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Traumatic Stress at Adler University.
Janna Henning, Psy.D.
President-Elect
Dr. Janna Henning has been providing mental health services for adults with complex trauma, PTSD, dissociative disorders, chronic/life-threatening illness, and grief/loss-related concerns for over 20 years.
Carlos Cuevas, Ph.D.
Past President
Dr. Carlos A. Cuevas is a Professor and Co-Director of the Violence and Justice Research Laboratory at Northeastern University in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Trauma Psychology News
Fellows Section: CALL FOR FELLOWS
Fellows Committee Chair:Charles Figley, PhDfigley@tulane.edu Fellow status in APA is given to those who have made unusual and outstanding contributions to the field of trauma psychology. Their distinguished contributions are the foundation on which the future of trauma psychology builds. Fellows make on-going contributions to science, practice, and public policy through activities in this Division…
Emerging Career Professionals: Early Career Representative Column
Maria Valgoi Early career can be a very stressful and confusing time. It’s a time when one defines themselves professionally, takes risks, and innovates. It’s also a time when professionals are making huge life decisions such as committing to a partner, having children, and buying a home. After talking with ECPs in the division, I…
Supporting the well-being of supervisees in trauma-intensive sites and the examination of current trauma-informed supervision practices
Monica Sanchez & Yinan Liang Section Editor:Kiara Tookes-Williams Peer Reviewers:Molly Becker, Olivia Jackson, Jasmine Merlette, Zaine Roberts Advisor: Antonella BarianiOpinions expressed by the authors are their own and not necessarily those of APA, Division 56, or any member of the editorial board. Trauma-informed mental health services are in high demand. Yet, there is a discrepancy…
Member Open Submissions
Catastrophic Wildfires and Apocalyptic AnxietyRobert D. Stolorow Living in the Bay Area near San Francisco, I am far from the catastrophic wildfires that have been assaulting Los Angeles and the neighboring communities. Despite this long distance, I have been feeling an uncanny sense of danger, an anxiety that often appears in my body in the…
President’s column – Spring 2025
Jessica Punzo, PsyD I am thrilled to write my first Presidential Column of the year for Trauma Psychology News! Although we are only a few months into the year, we have been hard at work making some big changes. We started the year with a very large (and very new) Executive Council (EC). Currently we…
New Professional Practice Guideline For Adults With Complex Trauma Histories
Christine A. Courtois & Paul A. Frewen, PhD We are pleased to announce the availability of a new Professional Practice Guideline for Working with Adults with Complex Trauma Histories, published jointly by the American Psychological Association (APA, Division 56, Trauma Psychology) and the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD; APA, 2024).…
Editorial note – Spring 2025
Dear TPN friends, The editorial team and I welcome you to the Trauma Psychology News, Volume 20, Spring 2025 issue, themed “Commemorations and commencements.” As we reckon with a swiftly shifting sociocultural-political climate in this new year, may we also pause to reflect on and commemorate our past(s) and recognize the collective history that we…
Commentary: Trump Administration Threatens Decades of Trauma Research Progress
E. Kate Webb & Christine L. Larson Section Editor: Sydney Timmer-MurilloOpinions expressed by the authors are their own and not necessarily those of APA, Division 56, or any member of the editorial board. Trauma exposure is one of the most significant and prevalent risk factors for chronic mental and physical health conditions, including posttraumatic stress…
Who’s Who: D.H. Vu, PhD
Special Feature for the 50th Anniversary of the Fall of Saigon “On the 50th anniversary of The Fall of Saigon, I’m wishing us the capacity to hold nuance, the fortitude to learn our stories, and the commitment to apply compassionate, abolitionist principles to Vietnamese everywhere.“ Associate Program DirectorSam W. Ho Health Justice Scholars ProgramTufts University…
Book Review: Blackbird: A Novel
By Carol Carson2023Hound Press. ISBN: 979-8-9869933-0-0 At the outset, let me say unequivocally that Blackbird is a page turner. It is the riveting story of a child, Jane, who endures horrendous abuse. It is categorized as fiction, although Carole Carson acknowledges in her Author’s Note it is about her life — with liberties taken for…