Books

Many of the books listed here helped me recognize and process my mother’s abuse, how it affected me, and how I can begin healing. Much information on this site is also from these books.

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Books on Childhood Trauma

The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog: And Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist’s Notebook by Bruce D. Perry & Maia Szalavitz

Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology and How You Can Heal by Donna Jackson Nakazawa

Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A Guide and Map for Recovering from Childhood Trauma by Pete Walker

The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Trauma and Adversity by Nadine Burke Harris MD

The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self by Alice Miller

A Practical Guide to Complex PTSD: Compassionate Strategies to Begin Healing from Childhood Trauma by Arielle Schwartz PhD

What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry & Oprah Winfrey

What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo

Books on Abusive & Narcissistic Parents

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson

Children of the Aging Self-Absorbed: A Guide to Coping with Difficult, Narcissistic Parents and Grandparents by Nina W. Brown EdD LPC

Children of the Self-Absorbed: A Grown-Up’s Guide to Getting Over Narcissistic Parents by Nina W. Brown EdD LPC

The Emotionally Absent Mother: How to Recognize and Heal the Invisible Effects of Childhood Emotional Neglect by Jasmin Lee Cori MS LPC

For Your Own Good: Hidden Cruelty in Child-Rearing and The Roots of Violence by Alice Miller

It Wasn’t Your Fault: Freeing Yourself from the Shame of Childhood Abuse with the Power of Self-Compassion by Beverly Engel

Mothers Who Can’t Love: A Healing Guide for Daughters by Susan Forward PhD

Narcissistic Parents: The Complete Guide for Adult Children by Caroline Foster

POWER: Surviving and Thriving After Narcissistic Abuse by Shahida Arabi

Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life by Susan Forward PhD

Will I Ever Be Good Enough? Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers by Karyl McBride

You’re Not Crazy – It’s Your Mother!: Understanding and Healing for Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers by Danu Morrigan

Journals & Workbooks for Healing from Childhood Trauma & Abuse

The Adverse Childhood Experiences Recovery Workbook: Heal the Hidden Wounds from Childhood Affecting Your Adult Mental and Physical Health by Glenn R. Schiraldi PhD

Complex PTSD Workbook: A Mind-Body Approach To Regaining Emotional Control And Becoming Whole by Arielle Schwartz

The Emotional Abuse Recovery Workbook: Breaking the Cycle of Psychological Violence by Theresa Comito LMFT

Trauma Recovery Journal: Reflective Prompts and Evidence-Based Practices to Help You Recover, Heal, and Thrive by Trudy Gilbert-Eliot PhD LMFT LCADC

Others

The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse by Ellen Bass & Laura Davis

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff

The Strengths in Our Scars by Bianca Sparacino


General Resources

1in6 (for male victims of sexual abuse)
Provides information and support resources. 24/7 National Helpline and support groups facilitated by a counselor

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline
24-hour hotline with resources to aid in every child abuse situation. All calls are confidential. Text or live chat is also available. Consists of a map to report child abuse in your state.

Child Welfare Information Gateway
Connects the public and relevant professionals to information, resources, and tools covering topics on child welfare, child abuse and neglect, and more

Covenant House (for minors)
Information about shelters and crisis centers for minors

Crisis Text Line
Serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free 24/7 support via text

HAVOCA (Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse)
A site run by survivors of child abuse that provides support, friendship, and advice for adults affected by childhood abuse

International Directory of Domestic Violence Agencies
Global list of helpline and crisis centers

National Domestic Violence Hotline
A 24/7 free and confidential site that offers call and chat services. Can also put you in touch with service providers and shelters across the U.S.

RAINN (National Sexual Assault Hotline)
Connects you with a trained staff member in your area who can provide you with confidential support. Staff can also help you find a local health facility equipped to assist survivors of sexual assault.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
National network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24/7 in the U.S.

Samaritans
Offers a 24/7 hotline for all types of crises


Support Groups, Services, & Forums

7 Cups of Tea
Trained listeners with different areas of focus. Downloading the app and talking to the listeners are free.

ACA (Adult Children of Alcoholics/Dysfunctional Families)
A 12-step program for people who grew up in dysfunctional homes

Emotions Anonymous
Over 1,000 meetings worldwide, each offering a 12-step model to manage negative thinking, self-esteem issues, loneliness, and other negative feelings

iPrevail
Free therapy online that follows a peer-to-peer model. You can log in to chat with a trained “peer specialist” for support or fill out a health questionnaire to get more tailored advice

isurvive
An online abuse survivor support group with people around the U.S., Australia, Europe, and the UK.

Online-Therapy
Based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), this program includes a qualified personal therapist, information and hands-on tools, worksheets, a journal, an activity plan, yoga, and meditation

PsychCentral
A free community where those suffering from various mental health issues can learn about treatments and self-care strategies. A 24/7 free therapy forum, each of which is centered around a specific topic.

Trevor Space (for LGBTQ)
A safe space to connect with others in the LGBTQ community. Contains news about LGBTQ issues and tips for joining the community wherever you live.