Healing Books for Sexual Abuse Survivors
Many survivors of childhood sexual abuse ask us for book recommendations that go hand in hand with our 5 Strategies to Reclaim Hope and what we teach at The Saprea Retreat. Below you’ll find a list of healing books that our clinicians have found most beneficial for survivors.
01
THE BODY KEEPS THE SCORE: BRAIN, MIND, AND BODY IN THE HEALING OF TRAUMA
By: Bessel van der Kolk
This book goes in depth about trauma in many forms, using examples from van der Kolk’s own experiences with trauma survivors. He makes the argument for not only mentally healing from trauma but also bringing a physical component into it as well. Purchase Here
02
WRITING AS A WAY OF HEALING: HOW TELLING OUR STORIES TRANSFORMS OUR LIVES
By: Louise DeSalvo
In this research-based, but surprisingly accessible book, DeSalvo shows how someone can use writing as a healthy and effective way to work through their trauma. This is for anyone, not just writers. Purchase Here
03
OVERCOMING TRAUMA THROUGH YOGA: RECLAIMING YOUR BODY
By: David Emerson & Elizabeth Hopper
This book is an excellent resource for survivors, clinicians, and yoga instructors. It will show you the benefits behind trauma-sensitive yoga and how you can find a class to suit your needs as a survivor. Purchase Here
04
GETTING PAST YOUR PAST: TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE WITH SELF-HELP TECHNIQUES FROM EMDR THERAPY
By: Francine Shapiro
If you have any interest in EMDR and the benefits it may have for you, then this book is for you. Shapiro writes in an accessible and reader-friendly way about complex topics that allows almost anyone to understand. Purchase Here
05
TRAUMA AND MEMORY: BRAIN AND BODY IN A SEARCH FOR THE LIVING PAST
By: Peter Levine
Too often survivors wonder if their memories are accurate and if they can be trusted. Levine draws on 45 years of expertise to address this concern and give you information about how memory is constructed and how influential memories can be on your present moment. Purchase Here
06
MINDSET: THE NEW PSYCHOLOGY OF SUCCESS
By: Carol Dweck
Success is not dependent merely on abilities and talent, but on the mindset you use when thinking about them. Dweck says that with the right mindset you can motivate anyone, attain your own goals, and find success – both personally and professionally. Purchase Here
07
FORGIVE FOR GOOD: A PROVEN PRESCRIPTION FOR HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
By: Fred Luskin
With years of study and experiences, Luskin creates a narrative about forgiveness and the benefits it will have in your life. Using real experiences and scientific backing, he gives you real steps to take in order to forgive. Purchase Here
08
OPENING UP BY WRITING IT DOWN: HOW EXPRESSIVE WRITING IMPROVES HEALTH AND EASES EMOTIONAL PAIN
By: James Pennebaker
Writing is a place where many survivors are first able to break the silence about their abuse. In this book, Pennebaker gives examples, steps to take, and words of encouragement on how you can go about writing your way to healing. Purchase Here
09
Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself
By: Kristin Neff
Self-compassion is a central component to healing from past trauma, including the trauma of child sexual abuse. Yet self-compassion can be difficult to understand, and even more difficult to practice. In this book, Kristin Neff, a leading expert on the topic, combines research, stories, and practical tools to explore what self-compassion is, why it’s so important to our well-being, and how we can implement it in our lives. Purchase Here
10
The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity
By: Nadine Burke Harris, MD
Oftentimes survivors of child sexual abuse feel frustration and confusion towards the physical health issues they experience in adulthood. Nadine Burke Harris, former surgeon general of California, explains that understanding the impacts of trauma, including its long-term effects on the body, is “the first step toward healing.” To help equip survivors with the information they need, Harris dives into the link between ACEs—adverse childhood experience—and physical challenges in adulthood. Purchase Here
It’s important to go at your own pace as you heal. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too much information at once. Try reading one of these books, implementing the benefits, letting them become a habit in your life, and then moving on to another. You are the best judge of where you are in your healing journey, but these healing books can help illuminate the path.
Please note:
This post contains links to Amazon. As an Amazon Affiliate, Saprea gets a small commission if you buy from these links that helps to support our cause at no extra cost to you.
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