The Book Shelf
Men Surviving Incest : A Male Survivor Shares the
Process of Recovery by T. Thomas. "Ths groundbreaking book, written by a male survivor, makes
explicit the isolation and stigmatization of male survivors and
discusses the fear and conflict of
disclosure. Men and women survivors share many common concerns such as guilt, isolation, shame and low self-esteem. In addition, the issues unique to male survivors are discussed in a candid and sensitive manner."
Because I Remember Terror, Father, I Remember You by Sue William Silverman. "A powerful and moving account of survival and recovery.
This is one of the most painfully honest books you will ever read. This is not only a harrowing account of the author's sexual abuse by her father for most of her childhood, but a penetrating
psychological examination of how she was affected by it, how she was able to survive, and after long hard years of therapy, eventually to recover. It is also a book about how she was able through her writing to
find ways of rebuilding a shattered self by acquiring the means of verbal expression that she had been denied as an abused child. The writing of the book, in a sense, becomes the final chapter of her recovery. Needless to
say, this is not a pretty story, and I found some parts almost too painful to read, but it is finally a triumphant story that you will not easily forget."
Breaking Down the Wall of Silence : The Liberating
Experience of Facing Painful Truth by Alice Miller & Simon Worrall. "Acclaimed psychotherapist Alice Milller continues her study of the roots and results of child abuse. Drawing on her own experience (and that of
her patients), Dr. Miller describes the systematic way in which evidence of child abuse has been ignored, repressed, and ultimately dismissed as
untrue by doctors, parents, and even the victims. She advocated getting access to and articulating loong-denied emotions so that healing may take place."
Broken Feather : A Journey to Healing by Suzanne Stutman. "In Broken Feather, Dr. Suzanne Stutman takes us on a spine-chilling
personal journey from the buried depths of child abuse through the labyrinth of remembrance to the dawn of healing. Following intense psychotherapy, she tells her story which unfolds from the shattered chapters of her childhood to the gradual awakening of an inner strength and resilience, leading her toward a deeper awareness of peace and
spiritual tranquility. Through the enchanted world of poetry and prose Stutman's story will enable other victims to view themselves with pride
and dignity, not with the shame and remorsefulness which so often
accompanies this shattering experiences. Candid, sensitive, and ultimately uplifting, Broken Feather is a valuable addition to any women's studies or self-help reading list."
Confronting the Victim Role: Healing from an Abusive Childhood by Emily McCarthy (Contributor) & Barry W. McCarthy. "Written in a comprehensive and sensible manner, this book offers a new
approach to the controversial subject of adults who were abused as children. The authors offer information, guidelines, exercises, and case
examples to help the adult be a survivor, not a victim. An appendix suggests how to choose a therapist and/or self-help group to promote the change process."
The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of
Child Sexual Abuse by Ellen Bass & Laura Davis. "An updated edition of the best-selling recovery guide offers inspiration
and encouragement to women who have been sexually abused as children, providing self-help guidelines, a timely Resource Guide, and an analysis of the 'false memory' syndrome."
The Courage to Heal Workbook : For Women and Men
Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse by Laura Davis. "This book takes
a survivor step-by-step through the healing process. It covers survival skills, exploring
the past, identifying the effects of the abuse, letting go of shame, naming the losses, turning
anger into action, guidelines for healing sexually, and much more."
Door of Hope : Recognizing and Resolving the Pains of
Your Past by Jan Frank. "Victims of abuse - any abuse - need to know how other people have made
it through the recovery process. A victim of incest herself, Jan Frank understands the myriad emotions that victims struggle with and offers 10 proven steps toward recovery."
Getting Through the Day: Stratagies for Adults Hurt As
Children by Nancy J. Napier. "Getting Through the Day enables adults who were traumatized as children
to learn new strategies to meet the demands of daily living. Counselor Nancy Napier presents dozens of exercises helpful to anyone who finds that unresolved childhood feelings are blocking life's path."
The Dance of Anger : A Woman's Guide to Changing the
Patterns of Intimate Relationships by Harriet Lerner. "This book clarifies the causes and patterns of anger and provides strategies for making meaningful and lasting
changes in important relationships."
An Adult Child's Guide to What is "Normal" by John Friel, Ph.D. and Linda Friel, M.A. Being raised in a dysfunctional family, it is hard to know
what healthy people do and what is "normal". This guide tells how to respond to the challenges, problems,
and traps that we face daily.
The Soul of Adulthood:Opening the Doors... by John C. Friel, Ph.D. and Linda Friel, M.A. "Adulthood is a choice. It does not happen because we reach a certain age or income level." Some topics included are: struggle, resistance, entitlement, narcissism, trade-offs,
appreciation, and victimhood.
Speaking Our Truth: Voices of Courage and Healing for Male Survivors of Chilhood Sexual Abuse by
Neal King. A Collection of first-person
testimonies of child sexual abuse. There are poems, artwork, and letters that cover such topics as: seeing
and owning what happened, the forms it can take, confronting the long-held feelings, taking control, and
moving on.