Psychological Growth After Trauma: Insights from Phenomenological Research

Join us in celebrating the launch of Psychological Growth After Trauma, edited by Simon Wharne, with a foreword by Emmy van Deurzen.

This groundbreaking book challenges the idea of trauma as simply “psychological damage.” Instead, it highlights the lived experiences of trauma and the possibilities for growth that can emerge from them. Drawing on rich phenomenological research, the contributors explore diverse contexts including birth trauma, interpersonal violence, childhood abuse, bereavement, racism, political conflict, and the challenges faced by therapists themselves .

Through these wide-ranging perspectives, the book offers clinicians, researchers, and students fresh ways of understanding trauma—without prescribing a single model. It provides insights to help practitioners remain open to their clients’ unique experiences and to avoid rigid adherence to fashionable formulations .

At this special event, you’ll hear from the editor and contributors about the inspiration behind the book, key themes across its chapters, and how phenomenological approaches can illuminate both the suffering and the resilience present in the aftermath of trauma.

Whether you work directly with clients, conduct research, or simply want to deepen your understanding of trauma, this launch is an opportunity to connect with ideas that broaden and enrich the field of posttraumatic studies.

Psychological Growth After Trauma: Insights from Phenomenological Research

Routledge

RECORDING

This event will be recorded and the recording is included in the self-select admission ticket. This will be useful for colleagues who are not able to attend the event live and also for those who attend the event live and want to watch it again.

ZOOM

This event will be hosted on the Zoom meeting platform where we will use our cameras and microphones to interact with each other as a group.

SELF-SELECT FEE

The self-select fee is a radical inclusion policy to open learning for all colleagues. The guide price for this event is £20.00, however, we appreciate that income varies greatly in different locations and circumstances. Please contribute what you can to help us maintain inclusive professional training.

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If you are not a member of a professional organisation, we ask that you participate in a way that is both authentic and respectful, fostering a space of mutual learning and professional engagement.

By registering for this event, you agree to be present and interact in a manner that reflects these principles.

Simon Wharne DCPsych (Middx), PhD, MSc, BSc (Open) PGCHE (Falm)

BPS Chartered Counselling Psychologist, UKCP registered Existential Psychotherapist, supervisor and trainer. With a varied career in management and clinical roles in NHS community mental health services. Currently working for New Zealand Health: Te Whatu Ora, Auckland. Having worked for the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling, and still providing clinical and research supervision. Interests: trauma, post traumatic growth, cross-cultural therapy, decision-making and resilience.

Prof Emmy van Deurzen

Emmy van Deurzen is an existential psychotherapist and philosopher, who has written eighteen books, which have been translated into as many languages. Emmy is the founder and president of the Existential Movement. She is also the founder director of the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling and the Existential Academy in London and a visiting professor with Middlesex University.

Dr Marc Boaz

Marc is an existential psychotherapist, a visiting Professor of Mental Health and Psychotherapy at the University of Northampton, UK, and teaches Critical Psychopathology at the New School of Psychotherapy and Counselling (NSPC), UK. He is an author of works on interpersonal trauma, childhood adversity and neurodivergence.

Niklas Serning

Dr Niklas Serning is a psychologist, child psychotherapist and Army Officer. He runs a small private practice, trains major international corporations and organisations like Airbus and Frontex in resilience, supervises a counter trafficking team and supports a range of military units in cultural understanding.