The Courage to Heal : A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse - Softcover

Laura Davis; Ellen Bass

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0091884209 ISBN 13: 9780091884208

Publisher: Vermilion, 2002

Synopsis

Based on the experiences of hundreds of survivors, "The Courage to Heal" profiles victims who share the challenges and triumphs of their personal healing processes. Inspiring and comprehensive, it offers mental, emotional and physical support to all people who are in the process of rebuilding their lives. "The Courage to Heal" offers hope, encouragement and practical advice to every woman who was sexually abused as a child and answers some vital questions, including: How do I know if I was sexually abused? Where does the decision to heal start? How can I break the silence and who will listen? How can I re-build my self-esteem, intimacy and capacity to love? What therapy, support groups, self-help programmes or organisations are available?

About this title

About the Author:

Ellen Bass is a lecturer and professional trainer; she has worked with survivors for more than 20 years. Laura Davis is a lecturer and author. Both authors are internationally renowned experts on healing from child sexual abuse. Their books have sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

If you don't feel respected, valued, or understood, or if your experience is being minimized or distorted, that's a sign that you're in bad therapy, or at least that there's a bad fit between you and the counselor. If you feel there is something wrong in the therapy relationship, or if you get upset or angry with your counselor, talk about it in your session. Afterward, you should feel you've been heard and understood. However, if your counselor discounts your feelings or responds defensively, then you're not getting the respect you need. Look elsewhere.

If you feel your therapist is pressuring you to say you were abused, you're seeing the wrong therapist. No one else can tell you whether or not you were abused.

About this edition

• Publisher: Vermilion
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0091884209
• ISBN 13: 9780091884208
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 495