is Professor of Psychology and Director, Center for Psychology and Society, State University of New York, College at Old Westbury, NY.

"offers advice on how to overcome the challenges and risks of life in the field. Mr. Ehrenreich, a psychology professor at the State University of New York College at Old Westbury, has organized the book to reflect chronologically the phases of an overseas assignment. He begins by discussing how to assess one's suitability for humanitarian work and the characteristics, abilities, and skills that could be potential liabilities or strengths. The book continues with a discussion of safety and security in the field, followed by advice for staying healthy and managing stress. The last two chapters aim to help humanitarian workers understand the emotional impact their work can have on the people they are aiding, and make the transition back to home life after an assignment has concluded. Supplementary materials include a checklist of what to do and what to take along on assignment, a first-aid manual, guidelines for helping employees manage stress, relaxation exercises, and references to additional resources."--The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Acknowledgements
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INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1. PREPARING FOR A FIELD ASSIGNMENT
Know yourself and what you are getting into; Create predictability; Some practicalities: What to do and what to take

CHAPTER 2. SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THE FIELD
The dangers of humanitarian work; Two basic principles; Rules for travelling; Safety in motor vehicles; Safety on foot and on public transportation; Safety at home; Dealing with personal attacks or threats of attack; Weapons, land mines, and military attacks; Issues especially affecting women

CHAPTER 3. TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF: PREVENTING HEALTH PROBLEMS IN THE FIELD
Preventing exposure to the environmental causes of illness; Keeping your defenses up; Keeping things from getting worse

CHAPTER 4. MANAGING STRESS
Myths about stress and humanitarian workers; The ‘ARC’ model; Spiritual resources for humanitarian workers (James Guy and Amber Elizabeth Gray)

CHAPTER 5. WORKING WITH SURVIVORS OF TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES
The ‘Culture’ of traumatization; Gathering information without Re-traumatizing; Working with survivors of humanitarian emergencies

CHAPTER 6. GOING HOME – A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY (John Fawcett and Amber Elizabeth Gray)
Some practicalities: employment, professional, and insurance issues; Protecting your health and mental health; Home at last: Reintegrating and reconnecting; Conclusion

APPENDIX
I. The ‘What to Take With You’ checklist
II. A brief first aid manual
III. Managing stress in humanitarian workers: Guidelines for good practice
IV. Relaxation exercises: Sample scripts
V. References and additional resources

INDEX