Reading List
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On the Threshold of Hope: Opening the Door to Hope and Healing for Survivors of Sexual Abuse by Diane Mandt Langberg, Ph.D. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse or if someone you love is a survivor, this book will open the door to deep healing. On the Threshold of Hope offers hope and healing to men and women who have been traumatized by sexual abuse. Dr. Langberg's insights and the quotations from many survivors assure readers that they are not alone and that Christ, the Redeemer, can heal their deep wounds. Through stories, Scripture, questions, and encouragement, Dr. Langberg walks with survivors on the road to healing through Christ's love and power. |
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The Wounded Heart: Hope for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse by Dan B. Allender Dr. Allender exposes the rage, fear, and confusion locked deep inside every victim. And, offering guidance in the midst of this confusion, he shows that there is hope for the wounded heart. “These powerful pages bring the realities of damaging human experience into the perspective of a loving God. With professional skill and spiritual insight from the crucible of experience, Dr. Allender blends a keen understanding of the dynamics of sexual abuse with the practical application of Christian truth.” (John Powell, Ph.D., professor, Counseling Center, Michigan State University) “Dr. Allender acts as a true surgeon of the soul in making a diagnosis which, while compassionate, is never sentimental. He brings the wounded survivor of abuse to the Great Physician for healing.” (Maxine Hancock, author of Child Sexual Abuse) |
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A Child Called It by David J. Pelzer This is a true story of a boy who survived severe abuse at the hand of his mother. David J. Pelzer's mother, Catherine Roerva, was, he writes in this ghastly, fascinating memoir, a devoted den mother to the Cub Scouts in her care, and somewhat nurturant to her children--but not to David, whom she referred to as "an It." This book is a brief, horrifying account of the bizarre tortures she inflicted on him, told from the point of view of the author as a young boy being starved, stabbed, smashed face-first into mirrors, forced to eat the contents of his sibling's diapers and a spoonful of ammonia, and burned over a gas stove by a maniacal, alcoholic mom. Sometimes she claimed he had violated some rule--no walking on the grass at school!--but mostly it was pure sadism. Inexplicably, his father didn't protect him; only an alert schoolteacher saved David. |
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Secret Scars: Uncovering and Understanding the Addiction of Self-Injury by V.J. Truner What is self injury? Why would people deliberately hurt themselves? Why can't they stop? What can I do to help? These questions are asked and answered in SECRET SCARS, a revealing look at the addiction of self-injury. Self-injury is one of the fastest growing health problems among teenage girls today. Despite its prevalence, however, self-injury remains a behavior shrouded in mystery and misconceptions. SECRET SCARS is a groundbreaking book that demystifies self-injury by explaining it as an addiction. The author takes both an engaging and scholarly approach to help the reader understand the dynamics involved in self-injury. Not only does Turner share case histories and her personal struggle as a former self-injurer, she backs it up by citing studies, research findings, and clinical outcomes. |
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The Right to Innocence: Healing the Trauma of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Therapeutic 7-Step Self-Help Program for Men and Women "A practical and powerful must-read book for all who have suffered childhood sexual abuse, their family members and loved ones, and for all mental health professionals." (Harold H. Bloomfield, M.D.) As a trained therapist and sufferer of sexual abuse herself, Beverly Engel knows that there is probably no trauma a child can suffer that makes her or him feel more alone than sexual abuse. This helpful book offers hope for recovery with exercises, visualizations, and techniques that support you through a seven-step program, that will aid you in: facing the truth, releasing your anger, confronting those responsible with facts and feelings, forgiving yourself, and more healing advice and information. |
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Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John Eldredge, Stasi Eldredge Eve was created as the crown of creation, the image bearer of an intimate passionate and captivating God. This study is an invitation for women to become that crown of creation again! Today most women feel pressured to settle for a life of efficiency and duty; attempting to be the women we “ought” to be. Adding to this, we receive frustrating messages as Christians such as “Do these ten things and you will be a godly women.” Striving to balance it all, we end up feeling we can never measure up or that we have failed. The overall message of “Captivating” is this: Your heart matters more than anything in God’s creation… and that He can rescue your heart and release you to live life as fully content and alive feminine women. |