Step one: breaking the silence. Making contact with the molested one ; Breaking the silence with others ; Women write about breaking the silence -- Step two: Where was the loving protector? Common types of mothers in abusive families ; Steps to healing your mother / protector wound ; Developing an inner protector / nurturer for your inner child -- Forming a mother / protector for the adult women -- Step three: confronting the perpetrator: the one outside and the one inside.Who are the perpetrators? ; The inner child and the abuser ; The issue of confrontation ; The victim- perpetrator- rescuer triangle ; The inner victim ; The inner rescuer -- Step four: then and now: how the ghosts of your past seem to haunt your present. Who was impacted by the abuse? ; The three developmental stages impacted by sexual abuse -- Belief systems: the most powerful effects of all ; Depression and sadness ; Anger ; Post-traumatic-stress disorder (PTSD) -- Characteristics and aftereffects we may share as adult survivors ; Self-care ; Therapies that may be helpful -- Step five: sex and your body. Common body challenges of survivors ; How we make changes ; Sexuality ; Becoming a woman ; Now let's talk about sex ; Guidelines for reclaiming your sexuality -- Exercises for reclaiming your sexuality -- Step six: relationships: how not to bring the past into the present. The arc of relationship ; Focusing on molestation ; Being a conscious relationship partner ; For the partners of survivors ; Relationship goals: a Baker's dozen -- Step seven: Recovery; moving toward wholeness. Seven basic challenges ; Forgiveness ; The final step -- Appendix: Prevention and what we tell our children. Healing Steps: A Gentle Path to Recovery for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse is a step-by-step guide to healing from the deep pain of early sexual abuse. Such profound abuse touches the core of a woman’s being: in unwanted memories, confusing feelings, distorted self-image, ongoing relationship struggles, and more. This frank and thorough book, written by a therapist who has herself survived sexual abuse, offers clear-eyed advice, stories of struggles and recovery, and most importantly, exercises to guide you in your own healing. If you’re a sexual abuse survivor, it’s difficult to know how to begin freeing yourself of the past so you can be fully present for your future. Let this book be your guide. And if you’re currently in therapy (or if you are a therapist) and want a focus for your work, this book can be used as a blueprint for your therapeutic work. When you read this book, you will realize that you are not alone: you are on a journey that many have walked before – and that many are walking with you now. Includes bibliographical references.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.