Book excerpt: The book provides a solid understanding of the nature, dynamics, impact and long-term effects of interpersonal trauma, and explains how to create a secure therapeutic base from which to explore and integrate its effects. Clinical examples are used throughout to highlight the unique features of each type of interpersonal trauma and to illustrate how to work most effectively with survivors of such trauma. Professional challenges and the impact of counselling survivors of interpersonal trauma are also examined in order to minimise the risk of vicarious traumatisation and secondary traumatic stress. This book is essential reading for counsellors, therapists, social workers, mental health professionals, health care professionals including GPs and midwives, legal professionals and all those working with survivors of interpersonal trauma, including sexual violence, child abuse, domestic abuse, elder abuse, institutional abuse and abuse by professionals.