Dr. Naoko Miyaji
Description
"In this fascinating thought experiment, Dr. Miyaji creates the image of a circular island rising around an inner sea, in order to understand the many
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different impacts of trauma. Beneath the waters of the inner sea are those who drowned, whose voices can never be heard. People located in different parts of the island will naturally speak from different perspectives, but it is everyone's task to recognize the silenced voices."
- Judith Herman, author of Trauma and Recovery
Trauma results in an inexpressible pain. Yet even when words fail, people still try to communicate this pain, and others try to understand them. Dr. Naoko MIYAJI has worked with survivors of gender-based violence, child abuse, disasters, accidents, and social marginalization for more than three decades in a clinical setting.
In Trauma Island, Dr. MIYAJI presents a new model for understanding the complex human interactions that come into play when trying to support those who have experienced trauma. By drawing from her expansive experience as a psychiatrist, researcher, and professor, she explores the various positions of all those involved in trauma, whether victim, supporter, or even perpetrator. Trauma Island engages with the multiple and often contradictory roles people play, and offers a map to better understand where each person is situated when speaking (or not speaking) of trauma. MIYAJI goes on to illustrate the dynamism of trauma by vividly portraying the wind, water, and gravity on the island, offering effective ways to engage with the challenges of trauma's changing profile.
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