The Courage to Heal: The Inspiring Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

This book is written in an easy to understand format, and deals with a painful and horrifying subject kindly, supportively and very unambiguously. For the survivor, it covers all stages, and makes everything acceptable, thus removing the secrecy, shame and 'I thought it was just me....' feelings that survivors have. The stories hold much to identify with, and although harrowing, are helpful. On my own journey I have gone through many stages and emotions, and this book has helped me though them. Recovery from abuse is a long process, and it takes a huge amount of courage and bravery to do so. I think what I found helpful was to see how families react to disclosure, and to support you if this is less than positive (usually it is, unfortunately ) I would suggest reading it in small chunks, and not overwhelming yourself with it, because each bit can bring stuff up that your own identification with is painful, and needs time to process, so go gently and slowly. If you're in therapy it's helpful to share this with your therapist if they're a good one. I have found it invaluable on my journey, and would wholeheartedly recommend it for survivors as an essential way to be kind to yourselves, and to therapists as to how to help, due to its thorough and complete insight and practical and emotional guidance. I would like to just comment on some other reviews that cite this book as being the harbinger of 'false memory' syndrome, and that once someone has read this book, they will become convinced they have been abused themselves and accuse everyone around them. As an ex child protection social worker of 20 + years experience I would say that abuse is actually very, very common. Much more than we may think. It IS shocking how much abuse is perpetrated. Trauma often does repress memory for many, many years, or until it is safe enough to deal with. I am disheartened to see other reviews saying that this book causes damage. I disagree. This book does not cause damage. Abuse causes damage, secrecy causes damage, and the concept of false memory syndrome causes damage too, and to many survivors is an invalidating, accusatory and unhelpful idea, which feels offensive, and appears to protect perpetrators. Trauma is stored very differently in the brain to other memory, is is often fragmented and in smells, sounds, and flashes of images, particularly if the child was pre verbal. Survivors don't always remember immediately, as abuse is so overwhelming that to survive, repression is a common occurrence, although not everyone does, many do. There isn't ONE category of survivor, and the right way to do it. There are many ways survivors process their memories, some have addiction, self harm, mental health issues food issues, some with none of the above. This book is helpful, and may be the lone voice that supports you, because recovery from abuse is a lonely road, but ultimately one which will set you free.

This is heart wrenching and uplifting all at the same time. It has given me a huge insight into myself and my struggles and extended a compassionate, unconditional loving embrace that I sorely needed. This is a book that deserves to be a best seller and should be read by anyone struggling with the affects of abuse. This book really has given me courage and strength and a feeling of peace both with myself and those around me. There is still a way to go for me - but reading this book has been invaluable and a huge step on the road to recovery.

Its a really good book my counselor is working alongside me!It has helped me loads with regards to realizing that some of the issues I have are very common with survivors of sexual abuse!It has taught me to open up to my partner and together we are working to heal some of the issues I have!I have to be honest it takes courage to read the book as some of the stories bring up memories that are long buried and cemented over!I take the book slowly as that's how I think healing from abuse is best approached!!!If you are just uncovering your abuse or are bearing the negative brunt of family's reactions to you being abused then I would read this book as you will find comfort knowing that you are not alone!It's a good tool to help the little child inside you express how the abuse has affected them as sometimes we bury our child within voice because family can't deal with what's happened so make you out to be the one who has done wrong believe that it was never you fault and use this book to help you discover who you are!!!Don't let abuse define who you are use it to show how strong a human being you really are:)Best of luck xoxo

Haven't read it properly yet as it's quite a big book! Having a quick glimpse it's very detailed and be ready for am emotional ride. Fast delivery

Really good book, small font and hard to get through but the results show themselves

Fascinating read. Insense at times during the healing process.

Victims stories humbling

This book has helped me first come to the conclusion that healing is possible and attainable. It's so important for books like this to exist which offer different narratives. The difference is important in the sharing of the common and this book provides that. The comfort in knowing that it is not just you and the reminder of strength displayed in the personal accounts are good examples of this. The writing exercises also allow you to come to terms with what has happened in a freeing way. Recommend alongside counselling

日本語で書かれている性被害被害者のための本がどうもしっくり来ず、 洋書で何かないだろうかと探していたときに出会ったのがこのワークブックだった。 本としてみると分厚いが、読むのは案外さらっと読める。 レベルとしては、英検準一級レベル以上の人であれば、辞書を少し引くだけで読破することが可能だと思われる。 サバイバーの聖書と何処かで言われていたが、それはまさにそうだ。 内容としては若干古いが、しかし今なお色あせない、読者に与える強さをこの本は持っていると思う。 この本の最初の方に書かれていることだが、 「この本は、”台無しにされた人生”について書いたこれまでの本とは異なる。これは自ら”癒す”ことについて書かれている」 、というのは事実である。 日本でまだよく使われるこの癒し系、という意味の癒しとはまったく異なり、 痛みを伴いまたこの本を読んだからといって解決するわけではない道のりについて、この本は静かに語り続ける。 受動態の癒されることではなく、自ら自らを癒すこと・・ こう書いている自分にも非常に難しく、未だ死ぬことを選択肢に入れてしまうが、この本を読んで一人でも多くの人が本当に意味で癒されてほしいと強く願う。 読まれるときには、できればワークブックとともに読まれるとよりいいと思われる。 傷ついただけの状態にとどまらず、"Courage to heal”を持つ・・まさに名言だと思う。 この本は一助となるはずだ。

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Clearly not the best printing. Print is too small to read comfortably. Content of the book was good. A nice way for someone to start thinking if they need help.

It is a great book i you are starting on the healing journey. It is "real" and deals with real issues in a constructive way. It was very useful to me when started the journey, as there wasn't much around at the time.

Lots of information in this book. A great way to learn in depth about all aspects of the effects. Comforting and informative. Recommend reading at your own pace and taking breaks.