Bite-sized book reviews
Bite-sized book reviews
Psychology
This is a personal account of healing from complex PTSD. A lot of the counseling-related books I read are written by and for therapists, so I think it’s to hear from the client’s side, especially when it comes to a trauma-related diagnosis like this one, since that’s the main focus of my own work.
Complex PTSD is, well, complex. It stems from prolonged or repeated trauma, usually in childhood or within relationships where escape wasn’t possible. It’s distinct from standard PTSD, but still not officially recognized in the DSM (though it is in the ICD-11), which means many therapists don’t fully understand or differentiate it.
The author was taken aback by the diagnosis, which launched her into a personal healing journey that included many therapists and many forms of therapy. I was a little sad to see that EMDR and IFS, two forms of therapy I use often for trauma, didn’t resonate with her. But ultimately, she found a therapist who was the right fit, and together they did meaningful work using radical honesty, self-awareness, and a strong in-the-moment connection.
She’s a beautiful writer and person, and the progress she made is inspiring. It’s a real gift that she chose to share her story so openly.