This book takes an innovative approach to using narrative therapy in counselling people who have been subject to childhood sexual abuse. Reclaiming Lives from Sexual Violence presents an illustrative case study of the authors, Tim the therapist in consultation with Dale the client, who was sexually abused as a child by a clergy member. The book is unique in documenting their therapeutic work using transcripts taken directly from their sessions together. This narrative approach invites the reader to consider different ways of engaging in therapy in order to challenge the dominant social discourses around masculinity and shame. Looking at shame from a position of value awareness rather than a deficit perspective, this book extends counselling to consider the individual experience as political and one that must be shared outside the one-to-one therapy environment. This will be an essential resource for beginning or established therapists and practitioners working with clients who have been victims of sexual violence.

Women who have survived sexual abuse are among the most traumatized individuals who seek therapy. Assisting such clients to reframe transcend their abusive pasts requires enormous sensitivity and therapeutic skill. Reclaiming Herstory: Ericksonian Solution-Focused Therapy for Sexual Abuse will greatly help therapists hone their craft with its solution-focused, Ericksonian approach and highly refined techniques for working with this population. The approach the authors present has evolved through work with hundreds of sexual abuse survivors. The authors have found their techniques to be remarkably effective in helping these clients to regain a sense of freedom and empowerment in their lives. The authors view the healing process as a collaborative partnership in which the therapist co-creates with the client a positive context for healing. This process comprises four distinct stages through which every client must pass in order to achieve their own unique potential. The book clearly describes the primary symptoms and features of the four stages, which are: Breaking the silence and unmasking the secret Becoming visible Reclaiming and reintegration of the self Empowerment and the evolution of the sexual self It also presents, for each stage, a series of detailed metaphorical stories, exercises, and rituals designed to assist a client who is traversing a particular stage. Numerous suggestions, lists, questions, and vivid case studies help the therapist to identify and assess the individual needs of a particular client and then pinpoint those tools that will best facilitate the healing process at a given stage. Recognizing the severe toll that work with sexually abused clients can take on the therapist, Reclaiming Herstory also provides strategies for self-care that can be used during various stages of therapeutic practice. The volume also provides a timely and important discussion of the controversial false memory backlash and its impact on the survivor and implications for the therapist.

"Provides practical and compassionate guidance on dismantling the childhood defenses of repression and denial."Contemporary Psychology.

Growing up gay in a homophobic culture can resemble growing up in a dysfunctional family. "Reclaiming Your Life" offers a soothing approach to healing from homophobic abuse, addictions, and self-defeating behavior. "If you are a gay man who grew up in a dysfunctional family or were abused, be kind to yourself and read this book. It's full of validation, understanding, common sense, and wise guidance, like a good friend." --Ellen Bass, coauthor of "The Courage to Heal" "a wealth of information... it should be required reading for all gay men and their loved ones." --"Lambda Book Report"

A powerful personal story that details the pain and shame associated with being abused by Clergy in the Church. Kenneth Joe tells his story with courage and disregard for the embarrassment that is often left lingering with the victim. This book is an inspiration to anyone who has suffered hurt and gives a blueprint to conquering the pain; instead of letting it consume and fracture the soul. Kenneth Joe ultimately teaches us that forgiveness is what heals the scars and gives the victim an opportunity to own their story, and also transform from victim to triumphant survivor! From Abused to Protector: " Claiming Your Life After Your Church Sexually Abuses You" A Story of Hope, Forgiveness and Triumph, gives a map to the road the Church, Child Welfare and Society must take to ensure pedophiles are given no place to hide and are never protected from justice no matter what their position in Church or Society maybe.

Victims of sexual assault experience their trauma in different ways, and often one path to recovery and healing is right for one person, but not right for another. While there are some general mental health effects of sexual violence, this book outlines and describes the impact of particular types of sexual violation. Whether the survivor has experienced childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault during adulthood, marital rape, sexual harassment, sex trafficking, or sexual violence within the military, they will find aspects of her experience in these pages. Once survivors understand the ways in which they have been affected, they are introduced to various pathways to surviving sexual violence and moving forward. The chapters provide case examples and specific activities which give a fuller description of the ways survivors can make use of the particular approaches, which include mind-body practices, counseling, group therapies, self-defense training, and others. Anyone who has been a victim of sexual violence, or knows and cares about someone who has, will find relief in these pages, which offer practical approaches to finding balance and healing.

Authoritarianism operates on a visceral level rather than relying on arguments. How can we counter authoritarian affects? This publication brings together more than 50 first-hand accounts of anti-authoritarian movements, activists, artists, and scholars from around the world, focusing on the sensuous and emotional dimension of their strategies. From the collective art and aesthetics of feminist movements in India, Iran, Mexico, and Poland, to sewing collectives, subversive internet art in Hong Kong, and even anti-authoritarian board games, the contributions open new perspectives on moments of resistance, subversion, and creation. Indeed, the handbook itself is a work of anti-authoritarian art. The editors behind the »International Research Group on Authoritarianism and Counter-Strategies« and »kollektiv orangotango« are: Aurel Eschmann, Börries Nehe, Nico Baumgarten, Paul Schweizer, Severin Halder, Ailynn Torres Santana, Inés Duràn Matute, and Julieta Mira.

Go beyond surviving to reclaim your sexual self. If you have experienced sexual abuse, assault, harassment, or rape, you may feel disconnected from your sexual self—even if you’ve overcome the initial trauma of your experience. You are a survivor; but surviving is just the beginning. This book explores what comes next. Written by a psychotherapist and grounded in cutting-edge research, Reclaiming Pleasure picks up where other sexual trauma recovery books leave off. It offers practical tools to help you cultivate a sense of safety, security and trust in order to reclaim the vitality, pleasure and great sex you deserve. The book will also serve as your compass on a journey toward the rediscovery of desire, letting you explore what you want from others and for yourself. This groundbreaking book will help you: Understand the lasting mental, physical, sexual, and relational impacts of sexual trauma Move beyond feelings of shame Reclaim pleasure and reignite passion in your life Surviving is merely the first step in the process of recovery from sexual trauma. With this sex-positive and empowering guide, you are invited to take your recovery to the next level. You’ll feel emboldened by the desire for better sex, healthier relationships, and a more connected, pleasurable life.

This brave and moving collection of stories by South African lesbian women from different backgrounds reminds us, again, that rights are never finally won in legislatures or in court rooms. They are won by people exercising them. The authors of the stories and poems in this book have done just that. They have stood up to celebrate the dignity of lesbian women in South Africa. Each contribution is different. And each intensely personal. And each one reminds us of the urgent need for us to stop hate crime and to create a safe society for all LGBT South Africans.

A Comprehensive Christian Resource for Treating Sexual Addiction and Problematic Sexual Behavior An estimated three to five percent of the U.S. population meet the criteria for sexual addiction, and many more engage in problematic sexual behavior or have been harmed by it. The statistics are startling: 77% of Christian men between 18 and 30 watch pornography monthly 35% of Christian men have had an extramarital affair 1 in 6 boys and 1 in 4 girls have been sexually abused Americans spend $13 billion a year on pornography, the regular viewing of which is linked to higher acceptance of violence against women and adversarial sexual beliefs. Therapists and pastors are not always adequately equipped to address the unique demands of competent care for those struggling with sexually addictive behaviors. Reclaiming Sexual Wholeness, edited by Todd Bowman, presents cutting-edge research from a diverse group of experts in a single, comprehensive resource intended for therapists, clergy, and others in helping professions. Contributors include Forest Benedict, Bill Bercaw, Ginger Bercaw, Todd Bowman, Marnie Ferree, Floyd Godfrey, Joshua Grubbs, Josh Hook, Fr. Sean Kilcawley, Debbie Laaser, Mark Laaser, Kevin Skinner, Bill Struthers, and Curt Thompson Reclaiming Sexual Wholeness moves beyond rote cognitive-behavioral approaches and treating sexual addictions solely as lust, adopting a biopsychosocial perspective that incorporates insights from attachment theory and interpersonal neurobiology. The result is a thoroughly faith-integrated, up-to-date resource useful for the classroom, ongoing professional studies, and as a counseling resource.