Forbidden Grief: The Unspoken Pain of Abortion [Paperback]

Theresa Burke with David C. Reardon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2007

For more than 30 years, our nation has argued about abortion. In that time, more than 30 million women have had one or more abortions.

While the political battle rages, little has been done to address the emotional needs of those who struggle with the aftermath of an experience that is deeply traumatic and often coerced and unwanted. Instead, social taboos stifle discussion of abortion-related feelings. Women are left feeling isolated, and their recovery is inhibited.

Forbidden Grief is a compelling, haunting review of Dr. Theresa Burke's experience in counseling hundreds of women who have experienced abortion. Dr. Burke exposes the obstacles in the way of post-abortion healing, reviews the full range and depth of post-abortion issues, and illustrates how we can create a more understanding, just and healing society where women will no longer be required to hide their pain.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Forbidden Grief: The Unspoken Pain of Abortion by Theresa Burke (psychotherapist and founder of post- abortion-training and healing ministry Rachel's Vineyard) and with the assistance of David C. Reardon (post-abortion issues expert and founder of the Elliot Institute)is a candid, powerful, and informative examination of the trauma of abortion, the dramatic negative impact it can have on women, and the grieving and recovery process who have experienced abortion undergo. Written specifically to help women struggling with the pain of surviving an abortion, Forbidden Grief is highly recommended reading as an open, emotional and serious work that seeks to help women heal from psychological and emotional post-abortion trauma. --Midwest Book Review

Abortion is a reflection that society has failed women. burke and Reardon clearly document this offense against women. --Serrin Foster, Feminists for Life of America

About the Author

Theresa Burke, Ph.D., is a psychotherapist and founder of Rachel's Vineyard, a post-abortion training and healing ministry that annually serves thousands of women and couples throughout North America and overseas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 334 pages
• Publisher: Acorn Books (August 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096489579X
• ISBN-13: 978-0964895799
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #699,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully done, March 2, 2008

By 

Emily (Florida) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Forbidden Grief: The Unspoken Pain of Abortion (Paperback)

I have been really hurting since my abortion. I was truly looking for a book that would not make me feel worse about what happened then i already felt but that could offer me hope and understanding. I decided to purchase this book after I had been referred to it. I am half way through the book and haven't been able to put it down. The author really acknowledges the pain that I and others have gone through on behalf of the choice they made. I can't tell you how many times I have felt like I was going crazy because people couldn't understand why I was depressed about the decision I made. I cant change what I did but at least this book offers me the solace and peace that I have been looking for since. Hopefully, in time things will become easier. I definitely recommend this book!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, women are allowed to grieve and heal, September 30, 2008

By 

E. WIe "Mother of four" (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forbidden Grief: The Unspoken Pain of Abortion (Paperback)

I gave this book to a friend who was still suffering years after her abortion. She found the book very therapeutic. Just telling women who have an abortion to get over it is not working. Women need to have a way to heal after an abortion both physically AND emotionally. This book helps women work through the pain in a totally non-judgmental way. I highly recommend it to others who are suffering following their decision to have an abortion.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars has helped me with my post-abortive friends, March 5, 2010

By 

S. Martin - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forbidden Grief: The Unspoken Pain of Abortion (Paperback)

This book is wonderful. It deals with a topic no one seems to want to address which is the grief and symptoms women experience after abortion. I have relied on this book to help the many post-abortive women I have befriended through the years. Even in my job I came across employees who would open up about a past abortion. The women I know who have had abortions had many different problems, some were sexually promiscuous, some were alcoholics, some were repeat aborters, some had rage issues...and this book so clearly explained the great pain they were feeling and helped me be more compassionate to them. I would recommend this book to every man and woman in the WORLD if I could!