Books and Media

Following is an extensive list of books and media that you may find helpful. These titles have been chosen based on personal experience as well as recommendations. A few that have been particularly helpful have been starred. We hope you can find something here that resonates for you.

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THERAPY, THERAPIST ABUSE, PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT

Sex in the Therapy Hour: A Case of Professional Incest
By Carolyn M. Bates, Annette M. Brodsky PhD

Coming to Voice: Surviving an Abusive Therapist
By Bernadine Fox

Bernadine Fox also has a podcast on mental health and has hosted several shows on therapy abuse. You can find the first of these here:
Therapy Abuse: A Problem that is Increasing at an Alarming Rate

Boundaries and Boundary Violations in Psychoanalysis
By Glen O. Gabbard, Eva P. Lester

In Session: The Bond Between Women and Their Therapists
By Deborah A. Lott

Shattered: Deception, Betrayal, and Therapist Malpractice
By Maura Muir

Prayed Upon: Breaking Free from Therapist Abuse
By Amy Nordhues

Sexual Abuse by Health Professionals: A Personal Search for Meaning and Healing
By Susan Penfold
*An excellent book written from both a personal and a clinical perspective. I highly recommend it. -KC

At Personal Risk: Boundary Violations in Professional-Client Relationships
By Marilyn R. Peterson
*An excellent study of boundary issues and violations. I highly recommend it. -KC

Sexual Intimacy Between Therapists and Patients
By Kenneth S. Pope, Jacqueline C. Bouhoutsos

Sex In the Forbidden Zone: When Men In Power – Therapists, Doctors, Clergy, Teachers & Others Betray Women’s Trust
By Peter Rutter

Breach of Trust: Sexual Exploitation by Health Care Professionals and Clergy
From SAGE Publications, Inc

Mending the Shattered Mirror: A Journey of Recovery from Abusive Therapy
By Analie Shepherd

Psychotherapists’ Sexual Involvement With Clients-Intervention and Prevention
By Gary Richard Schoener

When Therapy Is Harmful (YouTube video) – All Neurotypes
This video is on therapy harm and therapy abuse, with some discussion towards the end about considerations that might be particularly relevant for neurodivergent patients.

CLERGY AND SPIRITUAL ABUSE

Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith
By Martha Beck

This Little Light: Beyond a Baptist Preacher Predator and His Gang
By Christa Brown

A Gospel of Shame: Children, Sexual Abuse, and the Catholic Church
By Frank Bruni, Elinor Burkett

Is Nothing Sacred?: The Story of a Pastor, the Women He Sexually Abused, and the Congregation He Nearly Destroyed
By Marie M. Fortune

Sexual Violence: The Sin Revisited
By Marie M Fortune
An excellent book. Includes some great writing on the topic of consent. -KC

Deliver Us From Evil (DVD)
Directed by Amy Berg
A chilling documentary about an abusive priest and his victims. Spellbinding. -KC

Twist of Faith (DVD)
Directed by Kirby Dick
A highly personal documentary about the effects of clergy abuse. A difficult subject treated with care and respect. -KC

TRAUMA, RECOVERY AND HEALING

The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
By Ellen Bass, Laura Davis

Healing the Trauma of Abuse: A Women’s Workbook
By Mary Ellen Copeland and Maxine Harris PhD

The Courage to Heal Workbook: A Guide for Women and Men Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
By Laura Davis

Trauma Releasing Exercises Step By Step Video Instruction and Demonstration
By David Berceli (DVD)

Mind-Body Workbook for PTSD: A 10-Week Program for Healing After Trauma (New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook)
By Stanley H. Block

EFT for PTSD
By Dawson Church

Healing from Trauma: A Survivor’s Guide to Understanding Your Symptoms and Reclaiming Your Life
By Jasmin Lee Cori
An excellent overview of trauma and how to manage it. -KC

Acupressure for Emotional Healing: A Self-Care Guide for Trauma, Stress, & Common Emotional Imbalances
By Michael Reed Gach, PhD, Beth Ann Henning, Dipl. A.B

The Transformation: Discovering Wholeness and Healing After Trauma
By James S. Gordon, MD

Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence—From Domestic Abuse to Political Terror
By Judith Herman
*The classic text on trauma. I highly recommend it. -KC

Take Back Your Life: Recovering from Cults and Abusive Relationships
By Janja Lalich, Madeleine Tobias

Strong at the Heart: How It Feels to Heal from Sexual Abuse
By Carolyn Lehman

Healing Trauma: A Pioneering Program for Restoring the Wisdom of your Body
By Peter A. Levine

Healing Trauma – Audio Learning Course
By Peter A. Levine (CD)

Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma
By Peter A. Levine

Restoring Hope And Trust: An Illustrated Guide To Mastering Trauma
By Lisa Lewis, Kay Kelly, Jon G. Allen

I Can’t Get Over It: A Handbook for Trauma Survivors
By Aphrodite T. Matsakis PhD

Loving Someone with PTSD: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Connecting with Your Partner after Trauma (The New Harbinger Loving Someone Series)
By Aphrodite T. Matsakis

Trust After Trauma: A Guide to Relationships for Survivors and Those Who Love Them
By Aphrodite T. Matsakis

Guided Imagery for the Three Stages of Healing Trauma–Nine Meditations for Posttraumatic Stress
By Belleruth Naparstek (CD)

Healing Trauma: Guided Imagery for Posttraumatic Stress (Health Journeys)
By Belleruth Naparstek (CD)

Invisible Heroes: Survivors of Trauma and How They Heal
By Belleruth Naparstek
*An excellent resource! I highly recommend it. -KC

Instant Emotional Healing: Acupressure for the Emotions
By George Pratt, Peter Lambrou

Overcoming Trauma and PTSD: A Workbook Integrating Skills from ACT, DBT, and CBT (A New Harbinger Self-Help Workbook)
By Sheela Raja

8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery: Take-Charge Strategies to Empower Your Healing (8 Keys to Mental Health)
By Babette Rothschild

Trauma Essentials: The Go-To Guide (Go-To Guides for Mental Health)
By Babette Rothschild
This book provides a great overview of methods and resources for trauma recovery. -KC

The Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Sourcebook: A Guide to Healing, Recovery, and Growth
By Glenn Schiraldi

The Complex PTSD Workbook
By Arielle Schwartz

Healing from Hidden Abuse: A Journey Through the Stages of Recovery from Psychological Abuse
By Shannon Thomas

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
By Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
*Excellent book on trauma from a somatic perspective. -KC

Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A Guide and Map for Recovering from Childhood Trauma
By Pete Walker

The Mindful Way Through Depression: Freeing Yourself from Chronic Unhappiness (Book & CD)
By Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal, Jon Kabat-Zinn

The PTSD Workbook: Simple, Effective Techniques for Overcoming Traumatic Stress Symptoms
By Mary Beth Williams PhD LCSW CTS, Soili Poijula PhD

When Someone You Love Suffers from Posttraumatic Stress: What to Expect and What You Can Do
By Claudia Zayfert, Jason C. DeViva