Released today, is an electronic, research-based publication designed to disseminate current knowledge about trauma聽to the wider community.

Above:聽The launch of The Trauma and Attachment Report gives people seeking information on new research in trauma a readily available, user-friendly resource

Constructed in the form of a weekly blog, The Trauma and Attachment Report offers articles authored by graduate and undergraduate psychology students doing active research in the Trauma and Attachment Lab at 91亚色.

鈥淭he purpose of The Trauma and Attachment Report is to provide clear, accurate information to members of the community on the topic of interpersonal trauma,鈥� says 91亚色 psychology Professor Robert Muller, who serves as the publication's editorial director and publisher. 鈥淭he report will cover topics such as the causes and consequences of trauma, treatment, prevention, and the implications of trauma for society at large.

Right: Robert Muller

鈥淭he articles draw upon primary sources such as interviews with survivors, therapists and others who work in the field of interpersonal trauma,鈥� says Muller.

The report is oriented toward providing conversational, plain text articles about the effects of psychological trauma on children and adults. Much of the information covered in the report, says Muller, arises from interviews as well as research findings from the lab, and聽articles published in reputable scientific journals.

鈥淥ur goal is to disseminate this knowledge by discussing聽research findings in a manner that can be easily understood by readers,鈥� says Muller.

In the spirit of knowledge dissemination there will be no charge to subscribers. In addition to regular articles, there will be book reviews in the area of interpersonal trauma and聽readers will be able to share their thoughts on particular pieces. Muller and his team decided on the blog format because it is "borderless and timeless and would provide individuals with information when they need it any time of the day or night."

The first article in today鈥檚 issue presents an interview with a Canadian soldier who recently served in Afghanistan.

Part of the聽theoretical framework that informs the聽blog is attachment theory, pioneered in the 1970s by psychiatrist John Bowlby. He posited that humans form attachments as a survival mechanism to seek protection from real or perceived threats. Even when a protector鈥檚 caregiving skills are lacking, the developing child does what鈥檚 necessary to maintain the relationship; this shapes negative patterns of defence and affect, carrying over into adulthood.

Muller says the successful launch of the blog is a win-win for both students and readers. "We want readers at 91亚色, we want readers in Australia," he says.聽"That is why we have placed the report online so that it can be accessible to everyone. Much of what is on the Internet is someone's opinion and is not backed by research. The Trauma and Attachment Report is a university-based project and it is as accurate as possible.

"One of the greatest skills a researcher can have is the ability to translate聽complex jargon into something understandable," says Muller. "I am hoping that the students working on the blog get an opportunity to write in a style that is different from what they typically get in university. We know a lot about what works and what does not work in treating trauma. Being able to get it out there in a form that is highly accessible to everyone is very important."

For more information, visit online.

Republished courtesy of YFile 鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 daily e-bulletin.

The post Psychology students' blog aims to make trauma research accessible appeared first on Research & Innovation.

Right: Robert Muller

鈥淭rauma therapy is difficult to begin with, but when patients reject help it becomes that much more challenging,鈥� says Muller, a professor of clinical psychology in 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Health. 鈥淯nfortunately, a large segment of people needing therapy fall into this category. Rather than simply labelling them as resistant to treatment, it鈥檚 important to try and devise alternative means of offering them help,鈥� he says.

In his book, Muller, who specializes in treating trauma within families, explains the defensive and interpersonal patterns seen among avoidant individuals and lays out a game plan for effective treatment. Through detailed case examples and practical clinical instruction, readers will learn how to build trust with clients, help them connect with and commit to the treatment process, and facilitate mourning to face the loss associated with trauma.

The theoretical framework driving Muller鈥檚 approach is that of attachment theory, pioneered in the 1970s by psychiatrist John Bowlby. He posited that humans form attachments as a survival mechanism to seek protection from real or perceived threats. Even when a protector鈥檚 caregiving skills are lacking, the developing child does what鈥檚 necessary to maintain the relationship; this shapes negative patterns of defence and affect, carrying over into adulthood.

Muller offers practical advice on how to address the 鈥淚鈥檓-no-victim鈥� identity often adopted by such clients, who tend to see people as either strong or weak and have difficulty understanding that there are shades of grey.

鈥淭hese types of clients split their life stories in two in order to keep the two worlds of strength and vulnerability compartmentalized,鈥� Muller says. 鈥淒espite their personal histories of trauma, they will maintain a defensive veneer so that they鈥檙e viewed as and feel strong, independent, self-reliant and normal.鈥�

This can be resolved, he writes, by gently and tactfully pointing out narrative discrepancies, bringing the focus back to the original attachment and using the client鈥檚 symptoms as motivators.

Muller also offers candid advice based on his personal experience dealing with counter-transference 鈥� a phenomenon in which the therapist鈥檚 personal issues can sometimes get in the way of therapy.

In addition to his role at 91亚色, Muller is a supervising psychologist at the , specializing in the areas of trauma, attachment and psychotherapy. He is lead investigator in a multi-site program to treat intra-familial trauma and has over 20 years of clinical experience in the field.

Muller鈥檚 lab is funded by the at the .

Republished courtesy of YFile鈥� 91亚色鈥檚 daily e-bulletin.

The post Professor Robert Muller publishes psychology book for clients who resist therapy appeared first on Research & Innovation.