Synopses & Reviews
Shame is one of the most destructive of human emotions. If you suffered childhood physical or sexual abuse, you may experience such intense feelings of shame that it almost seems to define you as a person. In order to begin healing, its important for you to know that it wasnt your fault. In this gentle guide, therapist and childhood abuse expert Beverly Engel presents a mindfulness and compassion-based therapeutic approach to help you overcome the debilitating shame that keeps you tied to the past. By following the step-by-step exercises in this book, youll gain a greater understanding of the root cause of your shame. And by cultivating compassion toward yourself, you will begin to heal and move past your painful experiences. Recent studies show that trauma survivors, particularly those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from abuse, can greatly benefit from incorporating elements of self-compassion into their treatment. Furthermore, the practice of self-compassion has been shown to decrease PTSD symptoms, including, self-criticism, thought suppression, and rumination. This book is based on the authors powerful and effective Compassion Cure program. With this book, you will develop the skills needed to finally put a stop the crippling self-blame that keeps you from moving on and being happy. Youll learn to focus on your strengths, your courage, and your extraordinary ability to survive. Most of all, youll learn to replace shame with its counter emotionpride.
Review
With uncommon clarity and kindness, the author speaks directly to the invisible heart of childhood abuseshame. Readers will recognize the authentic voice of a former victim as she gently guides them on the healing path to self-compassion. It is an artful distillation of self-compassion theory, research, and practice for those who have suffered long enough. I cant recommend it highly enough.”
Christopher Germer, PhD, clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School and author of The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion
Review
This book provides an in-depth understanding of the many ways shame sustains the harm of past abuse, and outlines a powerful program for using self-compassion to free yourself from these bonds. Read it and heal.”
Kristin Neff, PhD, author of Self-Compassion
Review
In this beautifully written book, Beverley Engel offers us a scholarly, yet easily-accessible understanding of the nature of shame and the harm that it does us. She also articulates very clearly how compassion is one of the most important antidotes for shame. After all, it's easy to be compassionate toward people we likebut real compassion is for when things get tough. No one can read this book without coming away with considerable insights into the problematic ways we often treat ourselves and the value of developing compassionnot just as an easy option, but as a courageous way to deal with our inner struggles. I can't recommend this book highly enough; it is well-researched, highly informative, and helpful. A real gift to those struggling with the inner conflicts of self-doubt and criticism.”
Paul Gilbert, PhD, author of The Compassionate Mind
Synopsis
Shame is one of the most destructive of human emotions. And while anyone can suffer from lingering shame, those who were abused in childhood tend to feel it the most. In It Wasnt Your Fault, a therapist presents a compassion-based therapeutic approach to help survivors of physical and sexual abuse overcome the debilitating shame that often keeps them tied to the past. By offering step-by-step techniques for understanding the root cause of shame, as well as exercises in mindfulness and compassion for the self and others, this book will help readers begin to heal and move past painful experiences.
Synopsis
In It Happened to Me, a psychologist presents guided exercises to help teens who have been sexually abused reflect on what happened to them, examine its impact on their lives, and motivate themselves to begin to develop healthy and loving relationships as they move toward adulthood.
Synopsis
Whether sexual abuse happens in early childhood or just before leaving home, most trauma survivors find that the teenage and early adult years are crucial for their recovery. With the right kind of support, it's then that they have the motivation and capacity for insight that will let them begin the process of healing.
This workbook is written for teens and those who treat them. Simple, effective exercises help teens learn about the different aspects of trauma, share the thoughts and emotions of other survivors, clarify their own ideas and beliefs, and explore new ways of feeling and relating. Author William Lee Carter is a psychologist who works with sexually abused teens on a daily basis, and his approach is positive and sensitive to the needs and feelings of this age group. The exercises he provides focus on giving teens the strength and confidence they need to reshape their self-image, connect with others in healthy ways, and develop the skills they need to realize their full potential.
About the Author
Beverly Engel, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over thirty years of experience working primarily with survivors of childhood and adult abuse. She is considered one of the world's leading experts on emotional abuse recovery and is author of twenty nonfiction books on the subjects of emotional and sexual abuse recovery, relationship issues, and female empowerment. Her books include The Emotionally Abused Woman, The Emotionally Abusive Relationship, and Healing Your Emotional Self. She has appeared on many national television shows, including Oprah and Starting Over, has appeared on CNN, and was nominated for the Books for a Better Life Award for her powerful book, The Power of Apology.