Abuse / Trauma
Abuse can be physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional. All forms of abuse can cause deep emotional harm, and require care and consideration to heal. Trauma can be caused by abuse, or by rape, combat, exposure to natural disasters, violent crime, or any other overwhelming and frightening situation. The principles and strategies for healing abuse and trauma are related - for this reason, they are presented together in this section of the website.
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Best Books on Abuse / Trauma
These are our favorite books on recovery from abuse or trauma:
- Recovery of Your Inner Child: The Highly Acclaimed Method for Liberating Your Inner Self, by Lucia Capaccione
- Homecoming: Reclaiming and Championing Your Inner Child, by John Bradshaw
- The Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse (Revised Edition), by Wendy Maltz
- The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
- Outgrowing the Pain: A Book for and About Adults Abused As Children, by Eliana Gil
- Victims No Longer: The Classic Guide for Men Recovering from Sexual Child Abuse, by Mike Lew
- Outgrowing the Pain Together, by Eliana Gil (for spouses)
- Allies in Healing: When the Person You Love Was Sexually Abused as a Child, by Laura Davis (for spouses)
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For more books on additional topics, please visit our Best Books Catalog.
Handouts on Abuse / Trauma
(All in PDF format)
1) The BASK Model - 4 Dimensions of Trauma Processing. (1p.) Shows 4 dimensions of experience affected by trauma, and how trauma awareness arrives, and in what order. References the parts of the brain associated with these 4 dimensions.
2) The SIPAF Model - Assessing Impact of Abuse or Trauma. (1 p.) Identifies 5 major categories of possible impact, with 2 sub-categories in each category. Provides a numeric scale to assess level of impact in each area.
3) The Power and Control Wheel. (1 p.) A classic guide to recognizing the elements of abuse in a relationship, particularly a domestic violence situation.
4) Cycle of Abuse : Domestic Violence. (2 p.) Provides a graphic summarizing the 4 phases in a domestic violence situation. Also provides a description of each phase.
5) Forgiveness - What It Is, and What It Isn't. (1 p.) Providing 6 specific steps to follow in the process of forgiveness and moving on.
6) A Match - Or a Mosaic? Dealing with Traumatic Triggers (1 p.) Introducing the need for Discrimination Training for trauma resolution.
LDS Articles on Healing from Abuse
Over the last several decades, LDS Church leaders have spoken out frequently about the devastating consequences of abuse, and how healing from it can occur. The tender concern of these leaders, together with their wise counsel, can be a comfort and a guide to those struggling with these challenges. Elder Richard G. Scott has had a particularly influential voice on this subject, extending compassion and hope to those impacted by the harmful actions of others.
Favorite Articles:
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Richard G. Scott, “Healing the Tragic Scars of Abuse,” Ensign, May 1992, 31 (Describing the impact of abuse, and the need for healing, with several important cautions about the emotional healing process. Applicable for survivors of abuse, and for others as well.) |
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Richard G. Scott, “To Be Free of Heavy Burdens,” Ensign, November 2002, 86. ("The Lord has provided a way for you to overcome the destructive consequences of abuse... Yet you need not experience a lifetime of counseling. Complete healing will come, through your faith in Jesus Christ.") |
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Richard G. Scott, “To Heal the Shattering Consequences of Abuse,” Ensign, May 2008, 40–43. ("The power of healing is inherent in the Atonement of Jesus Christ.") |
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Other helpful resources:
The Invisible Heartbreaker (Insightful article on emotional abuse in marriage - how to identify and correct it) Judy C. Olsen, Ensign, June 1996
Unrighteous Dominion (On improper use of power and control in family relationships) H. Burke Peterson, Ensign, July 1989
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