Relieving or Reliving Childhood Trauma? A Commentary on Miltenburg and Singer (1997)

Abstract

This paper describes theoretical and treatment assumptions about trauma treatment that are in marked contrast with those attributed to trauma therapists by Miltenburg and Singer (1997). Contrary to their assertion that trauma therapists believe reliving of child abuse is necessary, mainstream trauma treatment focuses on ego building and integrative capacities. It has long been recognized that reliving traumatic experiences may lead to exacerbation of symptoms. However, it has been equally long observed that those trauma survivors who are able to synthesize, realize and integrate their traumatic memories will experience dramatic improvement in quality of life. Miltenburg and Singer present excellent therapeutic approaches to stabilization. But their sweeping generalizations misrepresent the nature of current trauma therapy and therefore create the risk of withholding the opportunity for many survivors to heal rather than having to rely on `abnormal' defense or coping strategies.