A step-by-step program designed to help victims of child abuse overcome the effects of their trauma offers help in breaking through repression and denial to relive the pain and to find healing. 15,000 first printing.
I immensely enjoyed the first three chapters of this book it is very simply and very clearly states what we all tend to do and why we do it. It's definitely worth reading regardless of one's abuse status, as it helps one understand the behavior of those who are around them.
She defines things in terms of the child and adult consciousness, one comes from the past, another is the present self. The book goes to elaborate of how the shift between two consciousness states shows up in all relationships: personal and professional. The book is full of examples that help point out behavior described, so concepts are very easy to grasp.
I feel that the suggested step by step regression therapy can be very useful to many, although I see it more like a common sense logical guide to exploring and liberating one own's feelings rather than elaborate therapy technique. The book is continuation of the "you must feel to heal" philosophy started by Alice Miller. I like the fact that the author doesn't sugar coat anything and states reality clearly that past is gone you can't change it, but only you can heal it by staying in the present and allowing yourself to feel that which was repressed in the past. One must take note that author does state that her approach will not work for everyone, but when it comes to any therapy there is no magic bullet solution that would work universally for everyone.
To me the book seems to have the same premise as the Inner Bonding developed by Margaret Paul & Erika Chopich, although I could potentially see the two authors having a heated debate about the definitions and use of the "inner child" or "the child".
This book was recommended by another book written by Alice Miller so I knew I had to give it a try.
Reclaiming Your Life is a very good read for those who have not yet started on their healing journey. It talks a lot about recognizing what abuse is and acknowledging it in your past. It also seemed to be a book directed at people who wanted help for marriage problems. But even I was still able to get help from this book. I came across some realizations about my behaviors and how to slow down before reacting in a triggered way. There was a lot of layers to the book.
I think the best chapters were the first three. They talk a lot about behaviors and where they come from and why we react the way we do. It’s definitely a book that will bring up old memories and will help one work through the past.
While it wasn’t my favorite books on the topics of healing and abuse, it was still a really good read. I’m glad I bought the book and I do recommend it to you all. I gave it four stars on Goodreads.
This was my third read. Actually, my husband begged me to read this out loud to him. Surprise! I never dreamed he would be interested, having always claimed he had the greatest childhood. Well, seems he thought abuse meant someone hit you or had sex with you against your will. He didn't know about childhood trauma, about childhood consciousness. He didn't know a sick mom or an alcoholic dad could devastate your emotional mastery for the rest of your life. Now he does (know), and I find myself married to a happier, lighter, more relaxed man. A man who woke up and smelled the coffee. Jean Jenson saved my life some thirty-five years ago, and, by golly, she did it again.