Customer Reviews

Stories That Heal: Reparenting Adult Children of Dysfunctional

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I come from a background of severe abuse. My therapist gave me this book to read at the begining of our work together. The book is basically written for clinicians to use during hypno-therapy sessions with clients, but my therapist does not use hypno-therapy and instead asked me to read and think about the stories while I was fully conscious. The book is basically a composition of many small, very simply written short stories about family life. I would compare them to stories one would write if one were writing for young children. The characters in the various stories are very neutral. Details about the characters are very few and far between...with the exception of positive emotions - which abound.

At first, I remember thinking, what is this about? Why is my therapist asking me to read this? Because upon first glance, the stories come across as cheesy little antedotes regarding what "normal" or "healthy" families do during various life circumstances (like pregnancy, feeding, story time, bed time, etc.). But as I read them, and we discussed them in therapy, I began to recognize that the stories really DO evoke feelings of comfort, healing, and peace. Because the stories are so neutral, you find yourself picturing yourself as the child in the stories and picturing your own parents/siblings as the parents and siblings described in the stories. You then find yourself feeling the happy/positive emotions that the characters are experiencing. These happy/positive emotions are a new thing for me...and it is quite the experience.

I find myself thinking about the stories when I least except it. I find myself shocked that a mother would react in a positive manner or that a father would provide comfort to a child in a certain situation. On the other hand, I also find myself angry that my family wasn't as described and also find myself wishing things had been different for me.

I advise that you read this book either A) as a professional clinician who is experienced with dysfunctional families and/or who works with people who were severely abused or B) as a client with a therapist who is trained to help you deal with the effects, memories, and emotions these stories will trigger for you.

If either of those apply, then purchase this book. It's absolutely wonderful.