Written in simple, straightforward language by survivors for survivors, this manual is for adults who are beginning to remember and deal with childhood sexual abuse. It suggests several steps that have been helpful to other survivors and explains some of the issues to the important people in their lives.

“Anyone who had a troubled childhood ought to read this book.”—Anne H. Cohn, D.P.H., Executive Director, National Committee for Prevention of Child Abuse Do you have trouble finding friends, lovers, acquaintances? Once you find them, do they dump on you, take advantage of you, or leave? Are you in a relationship you know isn't good for you? Are you still trying to figure out what you want to do when you grow up? Are you drinking too much, eating too much or trying to numb your pain with drugs of any kind? These are just a few of the problems abused children experience when they become adults. You may not realize you were abused. You may think your parents didn't mean it, didn't know better, or that others had it much worse. You may not even have made the connection between the past and your current problems. Outgrowing the Pain is an important book for any adult who was abused or neglected in childhood. It's an important book for professionals who help others. It's a book of questions that can pinpoint and illuminate destructive patterns. The answers you discover can lead to a life filled with new insight, hope, and love. “The best book available to help survivors cope and understand.”—Dan Sexton, Director, Childhelp's National Abuse Hotline “An invaluable aid for adult survivors of child abuse.”—Suzanne M. Sgroi, M.D., Executive Director, New England Clinical Associates

Substantially expanded and updated, this classic volume provides therapists with detailed information on how to treat sexual abuse survivors more effectively. Dr. Briere offers an integrated theory of postabuse symptom development and suggests certain core phenomena that account for many of the psychosocial difficulties associated with childhood sexual abuse. The second edition includes more information on effective trauma therapy, such as issues related to the false memory/recovered memory controversy; gender-related differences in abuse trauma; transference and countertransference; the application of behavior theory to treatment intervention. A nationally known expert in the field, Dr. Briere has written an ideal source book for mental health professionals. ìThis second editionÖadmirably achieves its stated goal of advancing the treatment of adult survivors of abuse and supports the therapist in this most important endeavor.î - from the Foreword by Christine A. Courtois, PhD Director of Clinical Training The Psychiatric Institute of Washington

Current studies indicate that about one-third of women and one-tenth of men in North America are sexually victimized before their mid- teens. Briere (psychiatry, USC School of Medicine) writes with insight about assessment and treatment. Acidic paper. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

'This book will be enormously helpful to those who have endured sexual abuse' Nursing Times This classic book has helped many thousands of people to manage the impact that childhood sexual abuse has had on their lives. The positive and optimistic approach continues to empower survivors to break free from the past. Now with signficantly updated resource and further help sections, this latest edition by clinical psychologist Kay Toon acknowledges the types of abuse that have come to light more recently, such as street exploitation, and abuse by celebrities, politicians and football coaches, as well as the use of digital technology to groom children and young people. Breaking Free is regularly recommended by counsellors, by media agony aunts and psychotherapists. A Department of Health project provided copies of Breaking Free and the Breaking Free Workbook to NHS Mental Health Provider Trusts. It is ideal both for those seeking therapeutic support and for those providing such support. 'The voice of the cowed, betrayed and helpless sexually abused child speaks powerfully throughout this book.' British Journal of Psychiatry 'The way the book instils hope is inspiring' Journal of Social Work Practice

The Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse Workbook guides readers through a series of exercises, charts, and checklists aimed at recognizing, understanding, and working on the problems resulting from childhood sexual abuse. The exercises are divided into four parts: Understanding Your Present Problems and Keeping Safe; Guilt and Self-Blame; Feelings about Yourself and Others; and Looking to the Future.