Recommended Books

GENERAL TRAUMA BOOKS

Schiraldi, Glenn.  The post-traumatic stress disorder sourcebook; a guide to healing,  recovery, and growth. - This volume explores a variety of treatment approaches to healing, with a chapter on each.

Adams, Kathleen.  Way of the journal; a journal therapy workbook for health, 2^nd ed.    
A workbook utilizing reflective writing as a therapeutic tool.

Allen, Jon.  Coping with trauma: a guide to self-understanding.-  
Discusses what we know about trauma, with information about trauma’s biological, psychological, and relational effects.

Cohen, Barry and Mary-Michola Barnes and Anita Rankin.  Managing traumatic stress through art: drawing from the center.  A workbook of writing and art exercises designed to help survivors understand, manage, and reframe their experiences.

Rosenbloom, Dena and Mary Beth Williams and Barbara Watkins.  Life after trauma: a workbook for healing.- Exercises, questionnaires, activities and relaxation techniques designed to help promote a sense of safety, self-esteem, and trust.

Matsakis, Aphrodite.  I can’t get over it: a handbook for trauma survivors, rev. ed.-
A thorough discussion of the effects of trauma, this volume offers numerous strategies for healing.  Includes chapters on childhood sexual abuse, domestic violence, assault, natural disasters, combat, and crimes by strangers.

Williams, Mary Beth.  The PTSD workbook.

Herman, Judith.  Trauma and recovery: the aftermath of violence from domestic abuse to political terror. - For professionals and for survivors of trauma.  A classic title.

RECOMMENDED BOOKS FOR ADULTS WHO WERE MOLESTED AS CHILDREN
(see also books on TRAUMA)

Napier, Nancy. Getting through the day: strategies for adults hurt as children.-
The techniques described in this book are designed to empower the reader.  Especially helpful to those who use dissociation as a coping mechanism.

Gil, Eliana. Outgrowing the pain: a book for and about adults abused as children.- 
This classic volume outlines the ways in which childhood abuse can affect adults.

Bass, Ellen and Laura Davis.  Beginning to heal: a first book for survivors of child sexual abuse.- Offers guidance for survivors who are just beginning their healing journey.

Maltz, Wendy. The sexual healing journey: a guide for survivors of sexual abuse.  Rev. ed. Includes exercises for rediscovering the positive aspects of touch.  Similar material is also available in a video format.

Lew, Mike. Victims no longer: The Classic Guide for Men Recovering From Sexual Child Abuse.- This volume for men examines abuse and masculinity, and how the two affect one another.  Includes statements by survivors.

Bass, Ellen and Laura David.  The courage to heal: a guide for women survivors of childhood sexual abuse.- A classic work, sometimes criticized for a tendency to overgeneralize.  Describes the effects of incest on adult women.

Lehman, Carol and Laura Davis.  Strong at the heart: how it feels to heal from sexual abuse.- Writings by people who experienced molestation as children, together with accounts of how they stopped the abuse and went on to reclaim their lives.

Stolinsky, Stefanie.  Act it out: 25 expressive ways to heal from childhood abuse: a safe, self-guided recovery method for adult survivors of sexual, physical, and emotional trauma.- Experiential activities to promote healing. 

Harris, Mary Ellen and Maxine Harris: Healing the trauma of abuse: a women’s workbook.- Exercises designed to help you come to terms with past sexual abuse.

Davis, Laura.   Allies in healing: when the person you love was sexually abused as a child.- Information needed by partners, friends, and family members of survivors of child sexual abuse.  Includes accounts of the struggles and healing of partners of survivors.

Reading books about trauma can be therapeutic for many people, but for others reading can be problematic.  In order to avoid being overwhelmed or re-traumatized by any of the titles in our lending library, please make your selections with the guidance of a therapist or trusted support person.  The STTAR Center is not responsible for any emotional distress or adverse effects that reading this material may cause.