From Surviving to Thriving

"This book will be of great value to any survivor of incest. Equally important, Christine Dinsmore teaches the rest of us-therapists, family members, and friends-how to be helpful to the survivor who takes on the task of ending the secrecy, recovering memories, and experiencing feelings. Dinsmore points out that the recovery process is unique for each survivor. You won't find any pat formulas here. Instead, the reader is left with a sensitivity and an awareness of the role one might play in the survivor's journey." - from the Foreword, Jane R. HirschmannFrom Surviving to Thriving: Incest, Feminism, and Recovery analyzes incest recovery from a feminist perspective. It is based on research with incest survivors and years of therapy with survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Unlike other writings on incest recovery, this book links the incest with patriarchy and its belief in male sexual entitlement. The discussions of incest and its traumatic effects, society's response to the sexual abuse of children, the recovery process, and the role of the supporting cast are reinforced by the words of incest survivors themselves. A detailed account of the incest healing treatment is also provided with specific treatments suggested for therapists working with incest survivors.