Stolen Tomorrows: Understanding and Treating Women's Childhood Sexual Abuse

by Steven Levenkron, Abby Levenkron (With)

Overview

"The most practical, down to earth, thoughtful, and sensitive book written on women's childhood sexual abuse."—Samuel C. Klagsbrun, MD

From the psychotherapist who offered groundbreaking work on self-mutilation (Cutting) comes a landmark examination of the psychology of sexual abuse. Stolen Tomorrows encourages the 20 percent of women who have been abused to think about, talk about, and seek help for what has been their secret shame. In addition to giving therapists and other helpers an empathic insight, Stolen Tomorrows will enable the survivor to recognize herself in both her personal history and her current struggle to overcome the legacy of abuse.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393340952
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	05/17/2008
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	415 KB

About the Author

Steven Levenkron is a psychotherapist and the author of seven previous books, including Cutting and The Anatomy of Anorexia. He lives and practices in New York City.
Abby Levenkron is a psychotherapist.

Table of Contents

Toxic Water, Stunted Tree: An Introduction to Childhood Sexual Abuse     9
Then and Now
The Sexually Abused Child as an Adult     15
How Children Survive Sexual Abuse     27
Case Histories: Understanding through Example
June: The Evil Magnet     41
Deirdre: Wanting Family Support, Not Revenge     52
Annie and Gina: Afraid to Receive Pleasure     59
Adrienne: Sad Little Girl in the Photo     64
Marjorie: Uncle Bill in the Barn     68
Lana: "Easy Money"     75
Rose: "I Remember Those Hairy Arms"     83
Emily: Cornered     89
Cassie: The "Phantom Palette"     93
Olivia: The Effect of Sexual Abuse on Marriage     105
Audrey: The Father     111
Ava: "Poor Kid in a Rich Family"     116
Maureen: "Dissociation Just Happens"     121
Kendra: "So I Have to Be Normal?"     126
Julie: Relief from Psychotic Episodes     133
Doreen: Compulsive Scratching Is Self-Mutilation     136
Jen: A Case of Iatrogenic Abuse     141
Understanding Stolen Tomorrows
Trauma     151
The Survivor's Relationship to Her Body     160
Self-Mutilation     164
Eating Disorders     170
Physical, Sexual, and Social Impairments     176
Recovering Stolen Tomorrows
Developing Readiness for Treatment     185
Setting Therapeutic Goals     192
Balancing Bonding with Boundaries     200
Tasks and Challenges Facing the Therapist     209
Pacing in Therapy     216
Repairing the Damage: Reducing the Effects of Trauma     228
Taking a Closer Look at Psychotherapy     236
Going Public with Family and Community     242
Adolescent Date Rape     247
Combating Body Memories with the Mind     256
To the Sexually Abused Reader: Getting the Help You Need     262
Afterword     269
Acknowlegments     271
Notes     273
Additional Resources     275
Index     277