Running Head: BOOK REVIEW 1
Book Review
Name
Institution
BOOK REVIEW 2
Book Review
Life is a journey each individual encounters and is bound to encounter a series of crises,
traumas, and losses (Wright, 2003). These encounters may be expected and predictable while
others may occur surprisingly. Dealing with such encounters can prove challenging to most
individuals. The New guide to crisis & trauma counseling by Dr. H.Norman Wright proves best
in helping individuals deal with such encounters. The following paper aims at reviewing The
New guide to crisis & trauma counseling by Dr. H.Norman Wright.
The New guide to crisis & trauma counseling by Dr. H.Norman Wright is a guide for
counselors and individuals as well. The book provides one with the knowledge needed to handle
different kinds of crises situations. As long as are live and kicking we have to regularly resolve
problems facing us and others (Wright, 2003). Moreover, every new problem we meet presents
an opportunity to advance new techniques of utilizing our resources to resolve the problem
(Wright, 2003). In the journey of life it is a matter of keeping on trying and not giving up.
However, as we remain determinant we learn new methods of overcoming numerous
problems. Again, if a similar problem arises in future, it will be easier to resolve as one has prior
experience. However, at one time we encounter problems beyond one’s capacity to resolve
(Wright, 2003). In such situations when a problem is devastating and nothing seems to work to
resolve the problem, we tend to go off-balance (Wright, 2003). Such occurrences should be
expected and anticipated to happen. They are simply inevitable. According to Norman Wright
(2003), such situations are defined as crisis.
This book is simply a guide for lay counselors, counselors, and pastors in the church
environment as well as proficient counselors (Wright, 2003). It provides them with biblical
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principles, detailed advice and tips on certain kinds of crisis states, and general guidelines for
resolving crisis, trauma, and losses. The book provides a clear guideline through numerous
examples of real life situations. Furthermore, the book also gives a significant guideline on how
to conduct counseling.
The book is based on Christianity and follows an essential biblical approach (Wright,
2003). It uses the bible to study life of Jesus and how he related to other people and reflecting
them to real life situations that we face now and then (Wright, 2003). It uses His approach as a
model for us to look upon and apply it in resolving problems. The book explores all possible
kinds of crises, losses, and traumas. Additionally, it explains how to identify, expect, predict, and
resolve all the encounters we face through life. One significant element of the book is the fact
that it maintains that one should always expect and predict these as they are inevitable (Wright,
2003).
In the following part I will provide a reflection of my own experience in life that I can
relate with The New guide to crisis & trauma counseling by Dr. H.Norman Wright.
It was one afternoon, when I turned on my TV and found an ongoing documentary on the
CNN channel about war children in Africa. The documentary highlighted numerous losses,
traumas, and crisis children faced by being compelled to become soldiers while still young. In an
interview with one child who was very young to even carry a gun, he said of how he lost his
family. He described how his parents and sisters were massacred in front of his own eyes. He
continues to say how all the other male children were gathered and put on two separate boats to
start their journey of becoming soldiers. Along the way, due to overcrowding in the boats, one
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boat capsized and all he could do is watch and cry from the other boat as his fellow friends
drowned to death.
After enduring all that, he continues to explain his experience as a soldier, firing guns and
bombs, killing people, using drugs and many more tragic situations. Among his encounters, one
of the most moving traumas that shocked me was when they had to run in the war and walk for
long distances without food or water. Moreover, they resulted to killing their weak colleagues
and to feed on them, they had been turned into animals. However, they child kept maintaining he
did not want any of this but had to follow what he was told to live, because he was sure it would
end one day. He said he always prayed for a better future which came to be as the war ended and
he got to better his life.
As I sat there watching the documentary I started asking myself many questions like if it
were me what I would do, would I cope with all the losses, tragedies, and traumas or would I
commit suicide to end the misery, amongst others. Finally it hit me, I reflected my life with the
child’s and concluded it was time I took an extra step in understanding and helping others
because I was to have parents and better life than that child. Again, I got to realize how much I
did not value prayers and the teachings of Christianity.
This section will cover the reflections that come to mind after reading The New guide to
crisis & trauma counseling by Dr. H.Norman Wright consisting of questions one would ask on
further assistance and where one can strongly criticize or support.
After reading The New guide to crisis & trauma counseling by Dr. H.Norman Wright one
is certain to ask numerous questions since it spells out all instructions that might prove to be
challenging to some. For instance, many people are very poor in resolving problems and result to
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assistance elsewhere. The book gives an insight of how one should act during a crisis, loss, or
trauma but maybe there are essential needs that one ought to have to follow the guidelines. For
instance, the book clearly indicates one should expect and predict crisis in the future. To be able
to understand the writer’s point of view, it is essential for one to understand the bible because the
book is rooted from biblical principles. Furthermore, the book also emphasizes on prayers as a
strong method of resolving crisis (Wright, 2003).
Moreover, for one to accommodate all the guidelines, they should have the willingness to
incorporate these guidelines. Counselors also need to understand different crisis and handle them
in the proper and required manner. That means they should identify the crisis first as the author
says and then proceed to supporting their clients or those being helped (Floyd, 2008).
Furthermore, for an individual one should learn how to accept crisis because it is only after
accepting it that they can start the process of resolving it just as the book describes it.
This part highlights the application of this book in one’s personal growth. The New guide
to crisis & trauma counseling by Dr. H.Norman Wright is developed under biblical principles,
where the application of the bible is essential (Floyd, 2008). After reading the book one is certain
to get a deeper understanding of the bible. Through the bible one can acquire a better
understanding of Jesus and how he to related with people especially when resolving crisis
(Floyd, 2008). It is very essential for any counselor to have the same perspective as that of Jesus
when resolving problems.
After reading The New guide to crisis & trauma counseling by Dr. H.Norman Wright, I
am certain to change numerous things in my personal life. First is to expect and predict a crisis
will occur anytime in the future because they are inevitable. As much as one should be positive,
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it is very significant to expect a loss, crisis, or trauma before it happens since it will become
easier it will be easier to cope with. Secondly is identifying all kinds of losses and crisis after
they happen as well as understanding others by listening to their crisis or losses and identifying
them.
Thirdly is being supportive in a proper manner through supportive and encouraging
language, which can only be done after understanding the experience the other are going
through. Not resolving crisis with a manner suggesting danger, apathy, helplessness, discomfort,
and confusion because they may not work well (Wright, 2006). Additionally, assessment is
essential and finally to the adjustment phase.
Moreover, having learnt from this book, I am certain to accept all crisis and losses that I
encounter in life. This will help in the adjustment and recovery phase. Again, being hopeful and
composed during crisis is very important (Wright, 2006). Furthermore, I will ensure I help others
as much as I can and identify the right time to refer them to a more experienced and specialized
person for help. In addition, I expect to learn how to pray for myself and others as a way of
resolving crisis.
In conclusion, The New guide to crisis & trauma counseling by Dr. H.Norman Wright is
a very detailed book for counselors especially in the church setting. It provides clear guidelines
for coping and resolving crisis, losses, and traumas. It is a comprehensive book that is certain to
better one’s life in one way or another.
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References
Wright, H. (2003). The New Guide to Crisis & Trauma Counseling. Ventura, CA: Gospel Light.
Wright, H. (2006). Recovering from Losses in Life. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell.
Floyd, S. (2008). Crisis Counseling: A Guide for Pastors and Professionals. San Diego, CA:
Kregel Academic.
