Capturing the complexities of working with abused children, Heineman explores the intrapsychic worlds of these youngsters and examines many of the paradoxes and complications encountered when treating them. The book traces the interplay of neurobiological and psychological facets of behavior to show how abuse derails normal development and how psychodynamic psychotherapy can reestablish emotional connections. Chapters highlight special issues involved when working with children who have been physically, sexually, and emotionally abused, exploring memory and disclosure, dissociation and externalization, and the relationship between action and spoken language. The book also addresses important factors in understanding and working with parents and caregivers and reviews such relevant legal issues as the process of court-ordered evaluations. Throughout, clinical vignettes illustrate the practical applications of concepts and theories discussed. Table of Contents
Introduction
1. What Is Abuse and Who Decides?
2. Treating a Mocing Target: Developmental Considerations in Work with Abused Children
3. A Template for Developmentally Informed Evaluations
4. Neurobiology and Psychology: The Formation and Meaning of Symptoms
5. Memory and Disclosure
6. Looking Outward: Externalization and Dissociation
7. The Paradox of Language in Treating the Unspeakable
8. Good Guys and Bad Guys
9. Collaborative Work with Parents of Abused Children
10. In Harm's Way
11. ...and a Cast of Thousands: The Interface between Legal and Clinical Considerations
Conclusion "Dr. Heineman has given us a remarkable 'guide for the perplexed' as we make our way in this largely uncharted domain. Her book is an essential resource for coming to grips with the psychic impact of child abuse and for developing ways of working in depth with traumatized individuals of all ages....Through richly detailed, often brilliant clinical illustrations, Dr. Heineman reminds us that the capacity to tolerate contradiction and ambiguity is among the surest signs of wisdom....This is a book worth not only reading, but consulting again and again when we need to restore a sense of balance and direction to our work."
-From the Foreword by Alicia F. Lieberman, PhD, University of California, San Francisco from the publisher's website | 
