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
Spring 2025 | Vol. 20, Issue 1
Spring 2025 | Vol. 20, Issue 1
Mental Health of Older Adults with a Refugee Life Experience
Rochelle L. Frounfelker & Tej Mishra Section Editor:Claire J. StarrsOpinions expressed by the authors are their own and not necessarily those of APA, Division 56, or any member of the editorial board. Mental Health of Older Refugees The most recent data from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicates that the number of…
Book Review: Psychoanalysis, COVID & mass trauma: The Trauma of reality
By Tihamér Bakó & Katalin Zana Translated by R. Robinson. Routledge2023 It is widely agreed in the academic community that COVID-19 is a contemporary event of loss and trauma (see Miller, 2020). The reality of global and pervasive trauma forced mankind to stand together for the first time in history in the face of uncertainty,…
Fall 2024 | Vol. 19, Issue 3
Fall 2024 | Vol. 19, Issue 3
Who’s Who: Dawn M Hughes,PhD, ABPP
Clinical and Forensic Psychologist Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College APA Division 56 American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) Formal Education Areas of Expertise Self-care: The outdoors, exercise, hiking, yoga, anything at the beach, thrillers, laughter, and easy times with family and close friends. What is forensic psychology? Forensic psychology is the application of…
Book review: Headwaters Series
By Headwaters Headwaters has authored several books to help children and families process disaster-related grief and loss and develop coping skills. The books have been translated into over 15 languages and have addressed the earthquake in Haiti, the typhoon in the Philippines, Ebola in West Africa, trafficking and girls’ empowerment in Nepal, earthquakes and hurricanes…
Who’s Who: Dorothy Chin, PhD
(she/her/hers) Education & Training: Stanford University, A.B. (Human Biology) University of Hawaii, M.A., Ph.D. (Clinical Psychology) Los Angeles County & University of Southern California Hospital (Internship) Current Positions: Associate Research Psychologist, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California Los Angeles; Professor, Santa Monica College Research Expertise/Interests: Race-Based Trauma; Post-Traumatic Growth; Culturally-Based Methodology…
Storytelling to Support Children’s Recovery from Disasters
Priscilla Dass-Brailsford & Rebecca Hage Thomley Natural disasters occur suddenly and unexpectedly, but these relatively common events have the potential to cause severe community disruption, displacement, economic loss, property damage, death and injury, and profound emotional suffering. The traumatic consequences of disasters affect children psychologically, spiritually, cognitively, behaviorally, and socially with long-term impacts on their…
President’s Column – Summer 2024
Carlos A. Cuevas, PhD I hope everyone is starting to enjoy the summer. As is often the case throughout the year, this is another period of transition for many of us. Changing schedules, changing routines, and changing activities. So, the first thing I want to mention in this issue’s column is the importance of self-care.…