I've read many books on sexual abuse and childhood abuse and neglect. The first book that was suggested to me was Beginning to Heal by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis.
I went to the public library and was glad to find out that it was a tiny little book. I then tried to "sneak it" to the check out counter amongst a stack of poetry & home decor books. By the time I put them on the countertop I was shaking! I didn't know what my body was reacting to, but I know now that it was the first time that I reached out to learn more about my recovery.
The Second book I read was The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis They didn't have that one at my small town library, so I had to go to the "city" and get it at Barnes and Noble. I didn't want to buy it. In fact, I spent 20 minutes walking around the aisle, always coming back to it, deciding whether or not to pick it up. I had to have the courage just to buy it. I went to the counter and thought, "Oh NO! All the people working here are MEN! They might think I was sexually abused or something!" I was overwhelmed with emotions, I mean, I couldn't "hide" this BIG book like I had the tiny one. I thought that I'd put the book back, then decided, "No, I won't let this 'secret' have power over me anymore." I walked up to the counter and asked if they had any women sales people and the guy said yeah and I said that I wanted to be checked out by a woman. By the time they found one and checked me out, I was crying uncontrollably. Now, THAT'S HOW MUCH I WANTED TO GET WELL!! I did it! I cherish those two books. And reading them was hard, because I didn't want to "feel" all those emotions. Here is a partial list from my healing library: (Each of these have links to the book and/or author) =)
The Right To Innocence: Healing the Trauma of Childhood Sexual Abuse by Beverly Engel
I Can't Get Over It by Aphrodite Matsakis
Trust After Trauma: A Guide to Relationships for Survivors and Those Who Love Them by Aphrodite Matsakis
The Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller
An Adult Child's Guide To What's Normal by Fred C. Friel
Healing the Shame That Binds You by John Bradshaw |
