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Must-have resource!

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Finally, a well respected, prominent professional has used extensive research to address the overuse of the RAD diagnosis and offer alteratives that are evidence based. The title and introduction to the book set the tone, children who have been traumatized must be nurtured rather than coerced. The introduction states this clearly:

"Readers familiar with coercive techniques will find them singularly absent from Nurturing Adoptions. The reasons go beyond the widely shared ethical concerns. Coercive techniques are contraindicated due to the effects that neglect and trauma have had on the brains of the children about whom the book was written."

While Deborah Gray's first book was excellent, this one is even better. It is both comprehensive and easy to read, an essential resource for a child welfare advocates.

Gentle, practical and effective

Customer Rating:
This is an excellent follow up to the authors first book. It describes gentle, practical and effective techniques that both parents and therapists can use to work with children who have experience trauma and loss. It is detailed enough to suit its purpose without resorting to the "jargon" that plagues most books of this nature. It is a fairly easy read and is almost immediately helpful.

Deborah Gray's experience and insight into the mind of a trumatized child is remarkable. And this is not just an adoption book, it is helpful for anyone who knows a child who has experienced trauma or loss. Her methods are gentle and focused on nurture. I highly recommend this book.

Excellent Trauma/Loss Resource

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Deborah D. Gray is the founder of Nurturing Attachments, an organization specializing in treating childhood trauma and loss in ways that are both effective and gentle. I know her both personally and professionally and thoroughly enjoyed her latest book.

Just to clear up some misperceptions, Deborah D Gray has never done "holding therapy" and is not an advocate of this practice. The introduction of her book makes this clear, "Readers familiar with coercive techniques will find them singularly absent from Nurturing Adoptions. The reasons go beyond the widely shared ethical concerns. Coercive techniques are contraindicated due to the effects that neglect and trauma have had on the brains of the children about whom the book was written."

She sometimes gets "trashed" by members of "anti-holding therapy" movement, who have not adequately researched her work. I am against holding therapy, and that is exactly why I love Deborah Gray's books. She exclusively advocates science based approaches and non-coercive methods of treating children.

This new book incorporates a new tool designed to help families and professionals understand how new research on the impact of neglect, abuse, early trauma, and institutionalization on the developing brains of children can guide their practices in new directions. It is an easy read and extremely practical. The only thing I fault about Nurturing Adoptions is the title, it is far too limiting. This is a book about trauma and loss, its value is not limited to adoption issues. It should be read and used by all child welfare advocates.

Beware

Customer Rating:
Deborah Gray was not too long ago a well known "Attachment (Holding) Therapist" at the Attachment Center Northwest. This unvalidated practice has been linked to numerous child abuse cases and is denounced by the American Psychological Association's Division on Child Maltreatment. The author's previous book contains a passage that approves of Holding Therapy and as well as the usual misinformation that is the stock and trade of this pseudo-psychotherapy (e.g. that there is such a thing as an "Attachment Cycle"). Several of the recommendations for Gray's newest book are by other Attachment Therapists.

A goldmine of information for the adoption world.

Customer Rating:
This book is a wonderful resource for those who care about or serve children adopted through the US social services system, from Eastern Europe or older children from other countries. Dr. Gray delves into the myriad ways that children can be affected by adverse circumstances - biological, psychological, behavioral, and even moral. Her advice for social workers and therapists is always practical and well researched, but also sympathetic to all parties. If you are interested in attachment and older child adoption, this is a book you do not want to miss.