Adult Children of Abusive Parents: A Healing Program for Those Who Have Been Physically, Sexually, or Emotionally Abused [Paperback]

Steven Farmer (Author)

Book Description

Release date: April 14, 1990

A history of a childhood abuse is not a life sentence. Here is hope, healing, and a chance to recover the self lost in childhood. Drawing on his extensive work with Adult Children, and on his own experience as a survivor of emotional neglect, therapist Steven Farmer demonstrates that through exercises and journal work, his program can help lead you through grieving your lost childhood, to become your own parent, and integrate the healing aspects of spiritual, physical, and emotional recovery into your adult life.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The violent forms of child abuse that make headlines are not the only ones that leave lifelong scars. A child who grows up in an unstable environment where empathy, clear boundaries and trust are lacking, can end up living a ravaged adulthood. Children can be crippled by mixed messages, family secrets and reversed parent-child roles. Many victims of these practices are not even sure their childhood was abusive. This balanced, practical guide delineates traits of abusive families. Narrative vignettes in each section illustrate and personalize critical issues. Most valuable is the step-by-step self-help program that includes exercises and journal work for recovery.

From the Inside Flap

A history of a childhood abuse is not a life sentence. Here is hope, healing, and a chance to recover the self lost in childhood. Drawing on his extensive work with Adult Children, and on his own experience as a survivor of emotional neglect, therapist Steven Farmer demonstrates that through exercises and journal work, his program can help lead you through grieving your lost childhood, to become your own parent, and integrate the healing aspects of spiritual, physical, and emotional recovery into your adult life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1st Edition, 9th Printing edition (April 14, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345363884
• ISBN-13: 978-0345363886
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.4 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #139,215 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Steven Farmer is world-renowned author, teacher, Shamanic Practitioner, and Soul Healer. He is the author of several best-selling books and other products, including Animal Spirit Guides, Earth Magic®, Earth Magic® Oracle Cards, Sacred Ceremony, Power Animal Oracle Cards, Messages from Your Animal Spirit Guides Oracle Cards, Power Animals, Messages from Your Animal Spirit Guides guided meditation CD, and for children, the Children's Spirit Animal Cards. Dr. Farmer is also host of his own radio show, Earth Magic® Radio, Thursdays 4-5PM Pacific on ContactTalkRadio.com.

In addition Dr. Farmer is also a licensed psychotherapist (retired), former college professor, Reiki Master, and an ordained minister in the Circle of Sacred Earth Church. He brings a wealth of skills and experience to his writing, teaching, and spiritual healing, offering clients a unique and powerful synthesis of his many years of experience as Spiritual Psychotherapist, Shamanic Practitioner, and hypnotherapist to afford quick and effective results. In addition to workshops on Earth Magic®, shamanism, and earth-centered spirituality, Dr. Farmer offers private consultations for Shamanic Soul Healing and intuitive Earth Magic® and Power Animal readings, remotely by phone and in person.

Dr. Farmer's education includes a B.A. in psychology from the University of California, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Chapman University, and a Ph.D. from Madison University. He is passionate about his work, and enjoys hobbies such as singing and songwriting, camping, hiking, kayaking, and skiing. He makes his home in Laguna Beach, California with his wife, Jesseca, and her two children, Serena and Arianna.

For more information about privates sessions, special events and workshops please visit his website or Facebook page:

http://EarthMagic.net
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dr-Steven-Farmer/93018852583

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

107 of 109 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A much needed prescription for victims September 10, 2004

By Fruit Loop VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Thank you, Mr. Farmer, for recognizing that the hurt doesn't stop once the abuse does; for me, coping with it as an adult was more difficult than as a child because I now realize with an adult's intelligence and insight, exactly what was being done to me and how horrible it was. So much abuse is undetected until the child grows up and realizes that no, this isn't normal (I didn't realize all families weren't like this) and it WAS wrong. Too many well-meaning people minimize the adult survivor's pain or dismiss it as meaningless: "that was years ago and it's over" "get over it and move on" or the worst, "Just don't dwell on it anymore." If you haven't been abused, you don't get it and never will. thank you, Mr. Farmer, for not only understanding, but for showing us a way out. The focus on child abuse is on children, not the survivors, and we need help too.

64 of 66 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Starts out great, then doesn't measure up. May 13, 2007

By J. Johnsen

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I found that this book, although promising a fresh look at the age old problems of adult children of abuse, falls short in the long run. Adults who experienced abuse as children are usually well aware of that abuse. This book deals with uncovering the abuse, and then takes, in my opinion, controversial steps at therapy. Those steps include a "reconstruction of the past" in essence fabricating lies and letting those lies replace the truths of the abuse. I, for one, was looking for a way to defeat the anger I feel, not reconstruct my past into some idyllic existence. For me, living a lie where I remember parents who never existed would only be compounding the problem.

So, I cannot recommend this book as part of an affective regimen of therapy.

50 of 51 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Resource to Understand How You End up with Your Issues April 17, 2005

By Momoko

Format:Paperback

I remember reading this book over and over again at one point of life, but in retrospect, this book traumatized me in a realization of the issues I was dealing with at the time. I would call this type of book "pathology book" in stead of calling it "recovery book." It helps to understand why certain issues arise, but in life, what you do about it is more important than understanding it. This book left me so sad without a lead to a hope of living. The solution suggested in this book was not effective to me. It would have been better if a book had pathology part and EFFECTIVE treatment part.

I believe readers should note that the book was written 15 years ago, and there has been much improvement in psychology and psychotherapy. I would have given five stars if this were to be written ten years ago, but due to the gap in time and situation, I had to reduce it to four stars. It is still a great book as far as understanding your association with your care takers.