Creating Change

“Excellent. It is written by an expert in the field….It can be used along with Dr. Najavits’ other classic manual, Seeking Safety: A Treatment Manual for PTSD and Substance Abuse…Readers will not be disappointed with this treatment manual.*****”

—Doody's Review Service


“Among the many virtues of Creating Change, perhaps the greatest is that it takes a public health approach to two major problems that are often intertwined—trauma and addiction. With a simple but adaptable structure, this approach makes treatment accessible and affordable to a wide population, with very few restrictions on who is eligible for care or who can serve as a counselor. Unlike many manualized treatment models that impose a rigid, 'one-size-fits-all' template, Creating Change offers patients maximum flexibility and choice. For survivors who have suffered the humiliations of stigma and powerlessness, this model is based on the principles of compassion, respect, and empowerment.”

—Judith Lewis Herman, MD, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School


“Creating Change is a fresh, evidence-based, nonpathologizing approach to treatment of trauma and addiction. It offers a past-focused model that empowers the survivor to carefully process trauma memories while engaging resilience and growth. If you are one of Najavits's many thousands of professional and lay followers, you already know of her brilliant and incisive work. Well, prepare yourself for this one—Creating Change is guaranteed to be an instant classic.”

—John Briere, PhD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Emeritus), Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California


“Infused with clinical wisdom and practical guidance, Creating Change provides a kinder, gentler way to process trauma and recover from addiction. Najavits expertly details the rationale and research support for her unique perspective and describes critical relationship dimensions to effectively engage clients. The book presents essential science-based concepts that can be adapted to fit client and counselor. It offers 23 treatment topics that are relevant, interesting, and engaging. Each topic has a wealth of information, handouts, and activities to guide counselors and clients through important conversations about the past while preventing retraumatizing and triggering. Counselors and trainees will find all they need to implement the model to promote integrated, client-centered care and recovery.”

—Carlo C. DiClemente, PhD, ABPP, Department of Psychology (Emeritus), University of Maryland, Baltimore County


“This exceptional treatment manual for trauma and addiction stands out in the mental health literature. One of the book's strengths lies in its clear, concise descriptions and accessible language, which means that it can be used by all providers. Najavits breaks down relevant topics into easily understood instructions that work very well clinically. Each chapter is meticulously structured, providing a step-by-step guide to mastering the structure and content of the method. The broad definition of trauma and addiction in Creating Change makes it suitable for a wide range of vulnerable individuals. The flexible format that encourages session-to-session assessment of the client makes the approach very safe to use. I highly recommend this 'must-have' resource for counselors and therapists working with addiction or trauma.”

—Sidsel Karsberg, PhD, Center for Alcohol and Drug Research, University of Aarhus, Denmark