Even among mental health clinicians, the communications of individuals experiencing psychosis have historically been considered mysterious, bizarre, and invalid. These judgmental, inaccurate interpretations and accusatory attitudes can cause iatrogenic trauma, a significant obstacle to recovery. Healing the Distress of Psychosis focuses on practice-based and evidence-informed interventions to effectively understand and communicate with people who are
experiencing psychotic symptoms. The text thoughtfully describes: the experience of psychosis, as well as the unique intervention method of fostering the therapeutic relationship; and the psychotic thought process
from neurological, linguistic, and existential-psychological perspectives. Mental health professionals, individuals with lived psychotic experiences, and their family members and loved ones will find this book to be a strong and accurate voice that highlights the past and present disappointments in mainstream public mental health treatment, while delivering hope in creating a secure, self-determined life.
Even among mental health clinicians, the communications of individuals experiencing psychosis have historically been considered mysterious, bizarre, and invalid. These judgmental, inaccurate interpretations and accusatory attitudes can cause iatrogenic trauma, a significant obstacle to recovery. Healing the Distress of Psychosis focuses on practice-based and evidence-informed interventions to effectively understand and communicate with people who are
experiencing psychotic symptoms. The text thoughtfully describes: the experience of psychosis, as well as the unique intervention method of fostering the therapeutic relationship; and the psychotic thought process
from neurological, linguistic, and existential-psychological perspectives. Mental health professionals, individuals with lived psychotic experiences, and their family members and loved ones will find this book to be a strong and accurate voice that highlights the past and present disappointments in mainstream public mental health treatment, while delivering hope in creating a secure, self-determined life.
Preface: Everything You Need to Know to Navigate This Book
Acknowledgments
Unit I: Traditional Treatment Approaches for Healing Psychosis
Chapter 1: Types of Psychosis and General Intervention
Approaches
Chapter 2: Traumatized by "Treatment": Anthropological and Social
Interactional Perspectives of the Person Who Lives with
Psychosis
Chapter 3: Brief History of Iatrogenic Trauma from the Mainstream
Mental Health Treatment System
Chapter 4: Evidence of Unethical and Ineffective Mainstream Mental
Health Treatment
Chapter 5: Historically Ethical and Effective Mental Health
Approaches for Healing the Distress of Psychotic Experiences
Summary of Unit I
Unit II: New Discoveries About the Causes and Healing Approaches of
Psychosis
Chapter 6: The Relationship Between Early and Severe Trauma and
Psychosis
Chapter 7: The Relationship Between Neurobiology and Psychosis
Summary of Unit II
Unit III: Ethical and Professional Obligations Impact Macro, Mezzo,
and Micro Levels of Treatment Delivery
Chapter 8: Consumer/Psychiatric Survivor/Ex-Patient (C/S/X)
Movement
Chapter 9: Existential and Spiritual Philosophy for Healing the
Distress of Psychosis
Chapter 10: Listening with Psychotic Ears Philosophy and Clinical
SkillsAppendix B: Chapter Resources
Chapter 11: Practice-Based Interventions for Engaging the Most
Difficult/Impaired
Chapter 12: Survivor and Self-Care for Families and Clinicians Who
Work with People Living with Symptoms of Mental Illness
Summary of Unit III
Unit IV: Where Do We Go from Here?
Chapter 13: Conclusions and Future Remarks
References
Appendix A: Related Associations
Appendix B: Website Resources by Chapter
Shannon Dunn, PhD, LCSW (CA & IL), CRADC, is Clinical Associate Professor of Social Work in the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California.
"I was encouraged at how the author educates readers on how to
properly engage with empathy, respect, genuine interest, and a
posture of humility when meeting patients with psychotic symptoms."
-- Doody's Book Reviews
"This book demonstrates in a compelling manner, through reviews of
both historical and contemporary trends, that human services
practitioners are best able to help clients with psychotic symptoms
when they enter into their clients' subjective worlds and attend to
their clients' needs to develop meaning and purpose in their lives.
The author illustrates the limitations of the medical model and
provides useful strategies for practitioners to connect more
personally and empathically with those who experience psychosis.
She also does a fine job of comprehensively reviewing effective
psychological and social interventions."
-Joseph Walsh, PhD, Professor, School of Social Work, Virginia
Commonwealth University
"Healing the Distress of Psychosis is a book every mental health
worker and administrator should read. It is full of practical
guidance that emphasizes listening, patience, and hopefulness. It
recognizes the role played by alcohol and street drugs in a way
that most mental health books skip over. Funding, regulations, and
training should be geared toward supporting the advice contained in
Dr. Dunn's book rather than making it more difficult to
implement."
- Robert Nikkel, MSW, Founding Board Member, Foundation for
Excellence in Mental Health Care; President of the Board, Dual
Diagnosis Anonymous of Oregon
"Healing the Distress of Psychosis captures the struggle that
exists between people who are living with a diagnosis and the
traditional mental health system that relies heavily on
psychotropic medications as the primary, and often only, treatment
for psychosis. This book eloquently debunks myth after myth in a
humanistic and compassionate manner. It is a must-read for everyone
and will change the way professionals see their role."
-Guyton Colantuono, Executive Director, Project Return Peer Support
Network
"An engaging and historically thorough inquiry into the nature of
psychosis, and a clarion call for dramatically changing how our
mental health system responds to those experiencing it. The book's
subtitle provides a brilliant and poetic summation of what Shannon
Dunn is arguing for."
-Robert Whitaker, Journalist and Author, Anatomy of an Epidemic;
President, Mad in America Foundation
![]() |
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
![]() |