Medical Trauma: Assessment Tools, Coping Skills, and Recovery Strategies for Survivors and Therapists

Medical trauma can hide in plain sight, shaping how we relate to ourselves and the world long after care has ended. It may show up as PTSD, anxiety, depression, or grief, stemming from a sudden medical emergency, a prolonged hospitalization, a chronic illness, or years of being dismissed or mistreated by providers.

Written by expert clinicians and researchers on the topic of medical trauma, this book offers a clear roadmap to recovery for survivors and caregivers alike. Inside, you'll find actionable strategies, real-world case studies, and advocacy resources to help you:

• Understand what medical trauma is and how it affects mind, body, and relationships
• Recognize identity-based mistreatment, bias, and discrimination
• Address secondary disruptions to work, finances, relationships, and sense of self
• Draw on personal strengths that support posttraumatic growth
• Navigate medical systems with greater clarity and agency
• Rebuild trust with providers while maintaining boundaries in healthcare settings

Whether you are navigating your own healing or supporting others through theirs, you don't have to face the complexities of medical trauma alone--hope and recovery are within reach.

Michelle E. Flaum, EdD, LPCC-S, is a professor of counseling at Xavier University and the author of Managing the Psychological Impact of Medical Trauma. Dr. Flaum's work has appeared in numerous journals, books, and trade publications, including Psychotherapy Networker and Counseling Today.

Sacha McBain, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and associate professor at Rush University System for Health. Her research and clinical work focus on understanding medical trauma and creating healthcare programs that help prevent harm and support recovery.