Trauma, Posttraumatic Growth, and World Literature

Pandemics, global climate chaos, worldwide migration crises? These phenomena are provoking traumatic experiences in unprecedented ways and numbers. This book is targeted for clinicians, scientists, cultural theorists, and other scholars and students of trauma studies interested in cultivating interdisciplinary understandings of trauma and posttraumatic conditions, especially resistance, resilience, and posttraumatic growth. Following clinicians? invitation for trauma survivors to wear a philosopher?s hat, to engage in creative activities, and to employ cognitive exercises to combat psychic constriction, I introduce the concept of a Literary Arts Praxis. The Praxis is built on clinical research and literature seeped in existential, phenomenological, and aesthetic themes. I argue that an educational training in a Praxis might help trauma survivors to get at trauma, as they engage in imaginative escapades, while forging alliances with characters; interpretative exercises, such as triggering emotions through phenomenological experiences; and creative writing endeavors, that include turning testimonies into imaginative stories.

"Dr. Lalonde presents a deeply creative and interdisciplinary path for clinicians, artists, humanists, and trauma survivors to develop novel ways of thinking about and healing from traumatic experiences. Her ideas and explorations of the relationship between trauma, resilience, and literature will deeply touch anyone who has found solace in immersing themselves in the literary world." Dr. Alix Rivi?re, Childhood Trauma Research and Policy Analyst at the Office of the Child Advocate of Massachusetts

"Humanizing and transformative! Dr. LaLonde provides a unique perspective on trauma and post-traumatic growth applying a humanities and literature lens supported by anecdotical data, narratives, and her own experiences working in academia and classroom settings. While discussing the main contributions of neurologists, psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, medical anthropologists and other relevant disciplines, the author takes the audience on a historical journey from the beginnings of how trauma has been conceptualized over time and further discusses the significance of resilience and post-traumatic growth. A wonderful book for current and future professionals and practitioners working in the field of trauma and resilience to develop an interdisciplinary perspective." Dr. Elizabeth Trejos, Professor at Texas Tech University