These volumes by a team of internationally recognized experts reflect and highlight both recognized and under-recognized events that cause trauma. They also examine current and emerging research on effective interventions to minimize and heal the effects of the trauma. Special attention is also given to culture and context, because what is considered healthy or problematic may vary widely across cultures, and culture can influence people's coping styles. Sources of trauma discussed include stalking, killing, terrorism, torture, kidnap, workplace violence, domestic violence, children and war, fires, floods, AIDS, pain, burns, spinal cord injury, children and medical illness, homelessness, and more. Case examples, treatment recommendations, and public policy recommendations are included in each of the chapters.

The growing field of trauma psychology has been spurred recently by natural events from Hurricane Katrina to the Tsunami, and by terrorist events worldwide, as well as chronic health and social issues-from persistent pain to homelessness-that are mounting. The experts offer a gripping overview of the most traumatic and widespread events causing trauma and of the symptoms and health impairment that may result. Most important, they explain how we can best recognize, understand, and treat the sufferers and develop intervention policies.

Elizabeth K. Carll, PhD, is an internationally recognized psychologist in private practice in Long Island, New York, with a focus on stress, trauma, stress and health, and family relationships. Dr. Carll consults to organizations and corporations on crisis management, health and stress, trauma, and workplace violence. She has developed a variety of disaster intervention programs and has responded to crisis incidents including the Persian Gulf Crisis, 1993 WTC bombing, Long Island Railroad shooting, Oklahoma City bombing, TWA 800, and the 9/11 WTC disaster. She is frequently quoted by the media and is a past president of the Media Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association and chairs the Division's News Media, Public Education, Public Policy Committee. She is a United Nations representative from the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies and chairs the Media/ICT Working Group of the UN NGO Committee on Mental Health.