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

Jessica Punzo

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

Janna Henning Headshot

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

Carlos Cuevas

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

Dr. Ilene A. Serlin, BC-DMT

Who’s Who: Ilene Serlin, PhD

By Beaver Builder | June 21, 2023

Dr. Ilene A. Serlin, BC-DMT she/herPsychologist and Dance Therapist Formal education: Areas of expertise/interests: Existential/humanistic psychology, all the arts, travel and cross-cultural exchanges Self-care activities: Dance, yoga, hiking, sleep, healthy diet, friends, love, family, reading, films, the arts, painting watercolors What led you to this Field and career path? I have been a folk dancer…

My daughter was murdered

My daughter was murdered: “There are no words”

By Beaver Builder | June 21, 2023

Deborah A. Stiles There are no words. I am a white woman who is a professor and psychologist; I suffered a traumatic loss in 2022 when my 34-year-old African American foster daughter was murdered. Although we were not biologically related, I was her mother, and she was my daughter; I deeply cherished and depended upon…

Dawn Hughes, PhD, ABPP

President’s Column – Summer 2023

By Beaver Builder | June 21, 2023

Healing from trauma involves rebuilding our ability to trust – trust in people – trust in institutions – trust in oneself. Effective trauma therapy helps restore that trust. Today, I feel humbled that my patients trust me and hear me when I demonstrate belief in their value, their goodness, and their recovery. I continue to…

Viann Nguyen-Feng

Editorial Note – Summer 2023

By Beaver Builder | June 21, 2023

Dear TPN friends, THE EDITORIAL TEAM & I WISH YOU A WARM WELCOME to the Trauma Psychology News Summer 2023 issue, themed “Spectrums and continuums.” June is a month of honoring, awareness, and celebration, from Pride Month, Juneteenth, Gun Violence Awareness Month, PTSD Awareness Month, and more. This issue points to the spectrum of experiences…

Trauma Psychology News Summer 2023

Summer 2023 | Vol. 18, Issue 2

By stevestarr | June 21, 2023

Summer 2023 | Vol. 18, Issue 2

Dustin Lewis

Suicide Prevention in the Context of Moral Injury & the Afghanistan Withdrawal

By Beaver Builder | March 20, 2023

Dustin Lewis Section Editor: Antonella BarianiPeer Reviewers: Linda Zheng & Molly Becker In August of 2022, I separated from the Air Force after nearly 11 years as an officer. I immediately transitioned into a master’s program in Counseling Psychology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with the intention of working with veterans. The most recent United…

Viann Nguyen-Feng

Editorial Note – Spring 2023

By Beaver Builder | March 20, 2023

Dear TPN friends, THE EDITORIAL TEAM & I WISH YOU A WARM WELCOME to the Trauma Psychology News Spring 2023 issue, themed Transformation, creativity, and spring. Our spring issue bursts with renewed energy, starting with Doris the Duck on the cover. This issue also highlights the creativity and artistry among our trauma psychology field, with…

Feasibility & Efficacy of Yoga as a Therapeutic Intervention for U.S. Veterans

By Beaver Builder | March 20, 2023

Jacklynn M. Fitzgerald, Kaley Davis, Meghan Bennett, & Rachel Bollaert Section Editor: Sydney Timmer-Murillo Burden of Physical Health Comorbidities in the U.S. Veteran Population Research on the efficacy of yoga to treat physical and mental health disorders is on the rise, although, to our knowledge, no review has yet summarized the effects of yoga in…

International Road

Transforming Horizontal Violence Globally

By Beaver Builder | March 20, 2023

Ani Kalayjian & Andrew Dolinear Section Editor: Claire J. Starrs The Association of Trauma Outreach and Prevention (ATOP) MeaningfulWorld is an international non-governmental organization affiliated with the United Nation’s Department of Global Communication. MeaningfulWorld offers mental health education programs and workshops focusing on empowerment, stress management, time management, creating a healthy workplace, preventing burnouts, mindfulness,…

Elizabeth Carll

RMHRN International Student Stipend for APA

By Beaver Builder | March 20, 2023

Elizabeth CarllSection Editor; Founder & Chair, Refugee Mental Health Resource Network The 2023 Refugee Mental Health Resource Network (RMHRN) webinars will continue with increased focus on international issues with international speakers. The upcoming March webinar on Cybersecurity is unique for the RMHRN as it addresses the increasing concerns that have arisen from colleagues being hacked…