Act It Out: 25 Expressive Ways to Heal from Childhood Abuse [Paperback]

Stefanie Auerbach Stolinsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2002

A therapist and former actress presents a variety of self-directed expressive exercises to help adult survivors of child abuse uncover buried feelings, overcome the effects of traumatic experiences, and start to form healthy and trusting relationships with others. In her therapy practice, Stefanie Solinsky found herself frustrated by the limited ability of traditional techniques to help adult survivors of childhood abuse uncover deeper emotional patterns. A former actress, she recalled the kinds of acting exercises that she had learned in drama classes. By drawing on techniques that actors use to unblock their emotions in order to play dramatic roles, she discovered that she was able to encourage her adult clients to uncover buried feelings, remember painful experiences, and begin to deal more directly with the symptoms of earlier traumas. In Act It Out, these exercises are presented in the form of a series of safe, simple, and creative exercises. Although similar to more familiar psychodrama techniques, where scenes are controlled by a therapist or group leader, Solinsky's exercises are unique in that they allow readers to open up slowly, at their own pace, and so retain control over exactly how much they want to remember, without becoming overwhelmed or frightened. Because the survival is in charge, these exercises can safely be done alone or in a group setting and with or without a therapist's assistance.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Children who have survived physical, emotional, or sexual abuse often have trouble finding and maintaining loving, trusting relationships. Here, clinical psychologist Stolinsky balances background information with stories, effectively illustrating (but not sensationalizing) the horrors of child abuse. In her clinical practice, the author, a former actress, found that her patients benefited from using acting exercises that create and explore different environments. These same methods allow abuse survivors to explore their feelings, as well as "some of the moments, sounds, sights, objects, and feelings" connected to the psychologically terrifying experiences that damaged them. Brief, informative analyses of symptoms common to survivors and their relationships are offered. Clearly written for a lay audience, this book respectfully and gently treats a difficult topic. Readers will appreciate the author's obvious effort and concern. Highly recommended.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Stefanie Auerbach Stolinsky, Ph.D., has a private practice in Beverly Hills. She teaches at the California Graduate Institute. She lives in Los Angeles. Rene Emunah is founder, director, and associate professor of the drama therapy program, California Institute of Integral Studies, and past-president of the National Association for Drama Therapy.

Product Details

• Paperback: 200 pages
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications; 1 edition (July 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1572242906
• ISBN-13: 978-1572242906
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,516,764 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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