With the Phoenix Rising: Lessons from Ten Resilient Women Who Overcame the Trauma of Childhood Sexual Abuse

The devastating effects of childhood sexual abuse have been widely chronicled, validating the difficulty with which many survivors struggle. Often overlooked are the millions of women who have overcome early trauma to lead successful, happy lives. Why do these women-whom we might otherwise have expected to fail-have such tremAndous strength and resilience? This question is at the heart of With the Phoenix Rising as it paints a moving and optimistic portrait of ten women who have overcome the trauma of childhood sexual abuse and shows how their resilient success can be encouraged in others who have suffered similar traumas.

Table of Contents:
Preface vii Part I: Setting the Stage 1 Resiliency 3 2 The Women’s Stories 23 Part II: Safe Havens, Important Relationships 3 School and Work 49 4 Intimate Relationships 69 5 Relationships with Children 79 6 Relationships Outside the Family 95 Part III: Processes and Strategies for Developing Resiliency 7 The Role of Psychotherapy 113 8 The Management of Feelings 137 9 The Importance of Self-Care 171 10 Making Sense of the Abuse 189 Part IV: A Lifelong Process 11 Revisiting the Participants 215 Appendix: Research Methodology 239 References 243 About the Authors 249 Index 253

About the Author :
FRANCES K. GROSSMAN, Ph.D., is a professor in the Department of Psychology at Boston University.Alexandra B. Cook, Ph.D., is the director of children's services at the Trauma Center, Arbour Health Systems. Selin S. Kepkep, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in private practice. Karestan C. Koenen, Ph.D., is a psychology fellow at the Payne Whitney Clinic of New York Hospital.Cook, Kepkep, and Koenen studied under Frances Grossman at Boston University's doctoral program in clinical psychology. ALEXANDRA B. COOK, Ph.D., is the director of children's services at The Trauma Center, Arbour Health Systems. SELIN S. KEPKEP, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in private practice. KARESTAN C. KOENEN, Ph.D., is a psychology fellow at the Payne Whitney Clinic of New York Hospital. Cook, Kepkep, and Koenen studied under Frances Grossman at Boston University's doctoral program in clinical psychology.

Review :
"Through its emphasis on survivors' strengths and resilience overthe life course, this book brings a new focus to the study of childsexual abuse. Therapists, researchers, and survivors will gain animportant understanding of resiliency in the context of family,community, and women's lives. The authors give voice to women whohave overcome the trauma of abuse." --Linda M. Williams, directorof research, the Stone Center, Wellesley College "This important book breaks new ground. . . . For any readerwishing to be inspired by stories of the human spirit's triumphover adversity." --Daniel Brown, Harvard Medical School, SimmonsSchool of Social Work "The women's voices of With the Phoenix Rising bring to life thespirit and hope every survivor can discover. This wonderful bookhas something to offer new clinicians as well as seasoned traumaprofessionals." --Linda T. Sanford, author of Strong at the BrokenPlaces "Full of practical wisdom and perspective for trauma cliniciansworking with all trauma survivor groups. Survivors will find theirstrengths and dignity cherished without the slightestaid-and-comfort given to perpetrators and their apologists. Withthe Phoenix Rising palpably enlarges what we know about how atrauma survivor can construct a good human life." --Jonathan Shay,staff psychiatrist, Department of Veteran Affairs; author ofAchilles in Vietnam: Combat Trauma and the Undoing of Character