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.