Reviews
"Theoretically sophisticated yet simply written, this book illuminates the dark corners and intricate dynamics in abusive situations. Many penetrating case vignettes perfectly illustrate the text....This material reveals a mature, caring, and wise psychotherapist who can communicate her processes in straightforward language. The book is valuable at all academic levels. Highly recommended."--Choice "...the author develops an intriguing new model for a meeting place of culture and therapy....Falicov's coverage of the research literature is comprehensive, current, and artfully punctuated by observations from her extensive experience with cultural issues in her clinical practice. This text, which is an important contribution to understanding the meaning of cultural sensitivity and implementing it in psychotherapy practice, will be of interest both to clinicians and those in academic settings."--Readings "...an extremely thoughtful, sensitive, and empathic discourse on the impact of abuse on the child and family at various stages of development....Dr. Heineman teaches the clinician to be alert to the meaning of the abuse to a child based on the child's developing internalized sense of self and others. Perhaps most importantly, she does this in a compassionate manner, avoiding the coldness of clinical jargon while using a combination of explanation and clinical vignettes to allow the reader to truly empathize with the information being presented."--Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry "Dr. Heineman expertly integrates a psychodynamic theoretical understanding into each chapter, while providing sound clinical direction for treatment....Therapists can gain a lot of assistance in treatment and assessment of abused children from this book....As a clinical psychologist with both research and clinical experience with child abuse victims, I found this book to be well written and comprehensive in its approach to a psychodynamic understanding of child abuse. It is recommended for any clinician who works with abused children. Beneficial to the beginning therapist who is confronted with child abuse victims, this book is also a valuable addition to the library of the seasoned trauma clinician. Dr. Heineman does an outstanding job of focusing on every aspect of development that may be affected by trauma, as well as how psychodynamic treatment may help to heal the abused child. It offers the therapist a comprehensive approach to a difficult and pervasive problem."--Journal of Psychotherapy in Independent Practice, "Toni Heineman's years of hands-on experience with children and families in distress shine through in this important book. The Abused Child is both scholarly and pragmatic, combining a sophisticated psychodynamic perspective with a command of the most recent neuroscientific findings about trauma. Most of all, Heineman's clinical work has enabled her to develop a finely honed sense of how it really feels to be an abused child, and how to work with children caught in the most torturous family and legal systems. Heineman is both a social worker and a psychoanalytic clinical psychologist, and she embodies the best of both professions. This book will enhance its readers' everyday practice, providing both a broad conceptual integration and a plethora of useful clinical examples. --Stephen Seligman, DMH, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco "An indispensable, trail-blazing book. Rejecting one-dimensional formulations and resolutions, Dr. Heineman integrates the developmental, psychological, neurophysiological, and family dimensions of therapeutic work with abused children. Beleaguered (and often confused) clinicians will find Dr. Heineman to be a humane, thoughtful guide. Numerous and rich clinical examples illustrate inspired, effective therapeutic work in the face of extreme human pain and uncertainty as to historical truth." --Neil Altman, PhD, Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, New York University "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 "This is a highly accessible, informative work. One rarely encounters so much clinical detail, with such a plethora of cases handled with unerring skill and empathic understanding. The breadth of Dr. Heineman's knowledge encompasses the full range of neurophysiological, psychological, sociological, and legal aspects of dealing with these traumatized children and their families. We should all be very grateful for the gift this author has given us."--Morton Shane, MD, Estelle Shane, PhD, and Mary Gales, MD, authors of Intimate Attachments: Toward a New Self Psychology, "Toni Heineman's years of hands-on experience with children and families in distress shine through in this important book. The Abused Child is both scholarly and pragmatic, combining a sophisticated psychodynamic perspective with a command of the most recent neuroscientific findings about trauma. Most of all, Heineman's clinical work has enabled her to develop a finely honed sense of how it really feels to be an abused child, and how to work with children caught in the most torturous family and legal systems. Heineman is both a social worker and a psychoanalytic clinical psychologist, and she embodies the best of both professions. This book will enhance its readers' everyday practice, providing both a broad conceptual integration and a plethora of useful clinical examples. --Stephen Seligman, DMH, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco "An indispensable, trail-blazing book. Rejecting one-dimensional formulations and resolutions, Dr. Heineman integrates the developmental, psychological, neurophysiological, and family dimensions of therapeutic work with abused children. Beleaguered (and often confused) clinicians will find Dr. Heineman to be a humane, thoughtful guide. Numerous and rich clinical examples illustrate inspired, effective therapeutic work in the face of extreme human pain and uncertainty as to historical truth." --Neil Altman, PhD, Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, New York University "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 "This is a highly accessible, informative work. One rarely encounters so much clinical detail, with such a plethora of cases handled with unerring skill and empathic understanding. The breadth of Dr. Heineman's knowledge encompasses the full range of neurophysiological, psychological, sociological, and legal aspects of dealing with these traumatized children and their families. We should all be very grateful for the gift this author has given us."--Morton Shane, MD, Estelle Shane, PhD, and Mary Gales, MD, authors ofIntimate Attachments: Toward a New Self Psychology
