The courage to heal: a guide for women survivors of child sexual abuse

Preface to the twentieth-anniversary edition - Preface to the first edition --

Introduction: healing is possible --

Taking stock & taking care. Effects: recognizing the damage ; Coping: honoring what you did to survive ; Survival skills for healing ; Working with a counselor --

Healing process. An overview ; The decision to heal ; The emergency stage ; Remembering ; Believing it happened ; Breaking silence ; Understanding that it wasn't your fault ; The child within ; Grieving ; Anger ; Disclosures and truth-telling ; Forgiveness? ; Spirituality ; Resolution and moving on --

Changing patterns. The process of change ; Self-esteem and trusting yourself ; Getting in touch with your feelings ; Trauma and the brain ; Learning to live in your body ; Healthy intimacy ; Reclaiming your sexuality ; Children and parenting ; Relating to your family now, and over time --

For supporters of survivors. The basics ; For partners --

Courageous Women. Judy Gold ; Eva Smith ; Anna Stevens ; Sachiko O'Brien ; Soledad ; Janel Robinson ; Evie Malcolm ; Diane Hugs ; Kyos Featherdancing ; Randi Taylor ; Michelle and Artemis ; Rifat Masoud ; Lorraine Williams ; Vicki Malloy ; Cassondra Espinoza ; Pauline Szumska ; Sheila O'Connell.