The purpose of this article is to help pave the way for more radical counseling with traumatized individuals, communities, and nations. The author critiques the post-traumatic stress disorder conceptualization and psychiatry fundamentally, builds on and critiques feminist and other radical contributions to trauma theory, suggests directions for feminists, theorizes trauma from a radical perspective, and draws implications for practice. Conclusions include the following: A deficit trauma model is inappropriate; institutions of the state must be seen as critical in the creation of trauma; there must be a fundamental break with psychiatry; and trauma work should move in the direction of radical adult education.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
American Psychiatric Association. (1987). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (3rd ed., Rev.). Washington, DC: Author.
2.
American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
3.
Aron, A. (1992). Testimonio, a bridge between psychotherapy and sociotherapy. In E. Cole, O. Espin, & E. Rothblum (Eds.), Refugee women and their mental health (pp. 172-189). New York: Harrington Park.
4.
Blackbridge, P., & Gilhooly, S. (1985). Still sane. Vancouver, Canada: Press Gang.
5.
Brown, L. (1995). Not outside the range. In C. Caruth (Ed.), Trauma: Explorations in memory (pp. 100-112). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
6.
Brown, L., & Root, M. (Eds.). (1990). Diversity and complexity in feminist therapy. New York: Hawthorne.
7.
Burstow, B. (1992). Radical feminist therapy: Working in the context of violence. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
8.
Burstow, B., & Weitz, D. (Eds.). (1988). Shrink-resistant: The struggle against psychiatry in Canada. Vancouver, Canada: New Star.
9.
Chesler, P. (1972). Women and madness. New York: Doubleday.
10.
Danieli, Y. (Ed.). (1998). Intergenerational handbook of multigenerational legacies of trauma. New York: Plenum.
11.
Duran, E., & Duran, B. (1998). Healing the American Indian soul wound. In Y. Danieli (Ed.), Intergenerational handbook of multigenerational legacies of trauma (pp. 342-372). New York: Plenum.
12.
Erikson, K. (1995). Notes on trauma and community. In C. Caruth (Ed.), Trauma: Explorations in memory (pp. 183-199). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
13.
Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. New York: Seabury.
14.
Gagné, M. (1998). The role of dependency and colonialism in generating trauma in First Nations citizens. In Y. Danieli (Ed.), Intergenerational handbook of multigenerational legacies of trauma (pp. 355-372). New York: Plenum.
15.
Gilfus, M. (1999). The price of the ticket. Violence Against Women, 5, 1238-1257.
16.
Glendinning, C. (1994). My name is Chellis & I'm in recovery from Western civilization. Boston: Shambhala.
17.
Heidegger, M. (1978). Being and time. Oxford, UK: Basil Blackwell.
18.
Herman, J. (1981). Father-daughter incest. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
19.
Herman, J. (1992). Trauma and recovery. New York: Basic Books.
20.
Laub, D. (1995). Truth and testimony. In C. Caruth (Ed.), Trauma: Explorations in memory (pp. 61-75). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
21.
Lewis, T. (1999). Living beside. Toronto, Canada: McGilligan Books.
22.
Root, M. (1992). Restructuring the impact of trauma on personality. In L. Brown & M. Ballour (Eds.), Personality and psychopathology (pp. 108-118). New York: Guilford.
23.
Russell, D. (1984). Sexual exploitation. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.
24.
Shimrat, I. (1997). Call me crazy. Vancouver, Canada: Press Gang.
25.
Smith, D. (1990). The conceptual practices of power. Toronto, Canada: University of Toronto Press.
26.
Smith, D. (1997). From the margins. Gender, Technology, and Development, 1, 114-135.
