Trauma-Organized Systems

Trauma-Organized Systems explores the experiences of individuals who have been abused or have abused others. It also examines how an abusive experience can influence and organize a family or professional system, making change challenging.

Arnon Bentovim, a leading figure in the child abuse field for many years, shares how his thinking has evolved to incorporate ideas from the feminist movement and constructionist family therapists. He analyses how victimizing actions and the traumatic effects of abuse combine to form a trauma-organized system that encompasses the individual, family, professional helpers, community, and cultural values.

The author describes the characteristics of these systems and outlines a diagnostic procedure to aid workers in planning treatment. He suggests that interventions must occur at different levels of the system. The book details various treatment approaches, including group work for victims and perpetrators, marital and family therapy, and individual work to address personal responsibility.

The book features illustrative case studies and transcripts from therapy sessions to demonstrate the specific techniques Bentovim employs in treating such families.