With many years of work with severely traumatised individuals to draw on, in PTSD: Understanding and Recovery Rosalind Townsend sets out to explain what those who have developed a problematic post traumatic stress response go through, and why these particular symptoms and life-changing levels of distress occur. Most importantly, the second part of the book provides a framework for recovery; a series of exercises and activities to help traumatised people take back control of their minds and bodies and start along the road to recovery. Trauma does not only affect those in the military or front-line services; a car crash, a difficult hospital experience or childbirth, an assault of some form or surviving an abusive childhood can all leave a legacy of symptoms that, unless effectively dealt with, can destroy the quality of a life.

Prior to publication, the book had been circulating among military veterans for some time; the charity PTSD Resolution decided to help it reach a wider audience, because of the underground reputation the book was acquiring.  One Gulf veteran says it is ‘Invaluable for those seeking to help themselves or someone they care for’, whilst a former client commented, “Working with Res and reading her book has helped me to understand how PTSD affects my brain and has given me the tools to manage how I deal with trauma, allowing me to be the best version of myself every day.