Supporting Clients with a History of Complex Trauma to Build a Life Worth Living

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the extent to which existing therapies are able to build positive mental health in clients exposed to complex trauma and evaluates a novel wellbeing focused therapy for depression in the context of complex trauma. This general introduction chapter will begin by defining complex trauma, reporting frequency of complex trauma exposure, and presenting the mental health consequences following the experience of complex trauma. It will then discuss how building positive mental health alongside symptom relief is key to recovery from mental health problems, particularly for clients who have experienced complex trauma. The chapter will then briefly review existing psychological interventions for the mental health consequences of complex trauma exposure, particularly focusing on treating depression in clients with a history of complex trauma. The general introduction will conclude with a summary of key literature gaps and how this thesis aims to begin to close these gaps.