Beginning to Heal: A First Book for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse [Paperback]

Ellen Bass (Author), Laura Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1993

For all women just beginning to heal from child sexual abuse, an introduction to the healing process based on the groundbreaking and national bestselling classic The Courage to Heal.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Bass and Davis, coauthors of The Courage To Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse ( LJ 5/15/88), offer a compact, easy-to-read, self-help guide for the sexually abused. The authors attempt to condense and simplify the information in their previous work to make it more accessible to younger readers, new adult readers, and those who need information to facilitate recovery. Emphasizing that healing is possible, the authors identify the stages of healing, including denial, remembering, talking about the abuse, anger, spirituality, forgiveness, and moving on to a healthier life. Case histories are presented throughout, along with simple, common-sense advice on how to handle each phase of recovery. With the current focus on sexual abuse and the popularity of the author's previous work, this title will probably be in demand. Also of interest is Carol Poston and Karen C. Lison's Reclaiming Our Lives: Hope for Adult Survivors of Incest ( LJ 3/1/89).
- Linda S. Greene, Chicago P.L.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

A workshop facilitator for survivors, their partners, and counselors, Ellen Bass is co-editor of I Never Told Anyone and the author of several volumes of poetry. She lives in Santa Cruz, California.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Perennial; Paperback Original edition (April 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006096927X
• ISBN-13: 978-0060969271
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,538 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A pioneer in the field of healing from child sexual abuse, Ellen Bass currently teaches in the MFA program at Pacific University in Oregon. Her poetry books include Mules of Love and The Human Line.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent first book for survivors, April 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Beginning to Heal: A First Book for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (Paperback)

As a therapist working with a population of young adults, I frequently see young people who are just beginning to deal with the impact of childhood sexual abuse on their lives. I have been looking for something to help introduce and give some preparation to clients who are needing to begin this difficult work. I love the book the Courage to Heal, but have at times felt it's very size was a bit overwhelming for individuals who were asking for just some glimpse of what it might mean to start to confront their history of abuse. This book fits the bill and I am so grateful for having found it. The book is compact and thus, not so intimidating. It distills out some of the most important information found in the original Courage to Heal. Especially valuable are the sections on identifying sexually abusive behaviors, managing feelings of panic and dealing with the process of remembering.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars begining to heal.....a definite winner, October 17, 2000

By 

Michaela Klein "EarthAngel" (Louisiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beginning to Heal: A First Book for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (Paperback)

i found the book, beginning to heal to be a definite winner....especially when a friend of mine asked for more information about child sexual abuse....and i knew that the larger book...the courage to heal...would be extremely overwhelming.....

it gave my friend enough information to realize that she had been doing all the right things for me....believing...listening....supporting...and the section for friends/family, etc....helped her out too...to know when to take time for herself...and how to do it without jepordizing our friendship.....i recommend this book to anyone who wants to know just a little about child sexual abuse.....but isn't prepared to read a huge book....*though courage to heal is a faboulus book...just can be intimdidating unless you are ready to confront it....*

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Small but So Supportive ..., July 24, 2000

By 

Bernadette A. Moyer (Lutherville, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beginning to Heal: A First Book for Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (Paperback)

This title is small but packs alot of support and positive words toward the abuse victim. Chapter topics include HEALING IS POSSIBLE, THE DECISION TO HEAL, UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WASN"T YOUR FAULT, THE CHILD WITHIN and more. All written with an under tone of support. There are also several stories of abuse told from the surviving victims view. The title is filled with insight and support and is best described as an excellent beginning point for those looking to heal. A very sensitive and difficult subject that is well addressed.