Book Review: Healing the Trauma of Domestic Violence: A Self-Help Workbook, by Edward Kubay

By Stephanie Quinn, See the Triumph Guest Blogger

Note from See the Triumph: As part of our series this month on Intimate Partner Violence, Stigma, and the Media, this week we’re featuring a series of reviews of books and films that address the topic of domestic violence. In this series, guest blogger Stephanie Quinn shares insights about how these resources depict the issue, as well as resources for learning more.

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Leaving a violent relationship can be incredibly challenging. However, we often forget that leaving is not the end of an abuse survivor’s journey. For women who are recovering from a violent relationship, Healing the Trauma of Domestic Violence: A Self Help Workbook by Edward S. Kubay is a wonderful resource. It is a comprehensive guide to understanding the different cognitive and emotional issues a survivor could face. From working through the anxiety and depression to understanding the trauma, this book covers each important aspect of moving on from a violent marriage. This book could not only help women move on from their relationships, but it could also normalize what the survivor is experiencing.

This book is based on cognitive trauma therapy, which uses CBT and has a strong base in education. This type of therapy includes activities on limiting negative self-talk and education on what types of symptoms may be normal. Later in the book ,the reader will work through controlled exposure to the trauma. This book requires the reader to do the work provided in order to begin healing. The “work” is not only writing out the answers and conducting the self-assessments, but it is also being open and able to respond to tough questions. While a gentle book, it also requires honesty of the reader. For instance, one question asks the reader write about any guilt they feel related to the abuse. This is not an easy question to answer or process, but it may be vital to healing if the survivor was experiencing any residual guilt from their abuse.

Because some of these questions might be hard for someone to process on their own, I would recommend the use of this book in addition to a counselor. While counseling can be a difficult experience initially, talking about your abuse aloud can be healing. For counselors, this book would be a great addition to your work with a survivor. While having a client complete the entire book would be wonderful, it also contains pages that would make great activities during a session. Additionally, this book is a good educational resource for a counselor. It contains information about PTSD specific to domestic violence survivors and could help give counselors a better understanding of how a survivor’s trauma may be affecting them today. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who works in the field of domestic violence or has left a violent relationship.

To find a therapist near you visit: http://therapists.psychologytoday.com/rms/

To purchase this self help book visit: http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Trauma-Domestic-Violence-Harbinger/dp/1572243694/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405968043&sr=8-1&keywords=self+help+domestic+violence&dpPl=1

Stephanie Quinn is a second year masters student in Counseling and Educational Development at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Originally from Iowa, she moved to North Carolina to attend Elon University where she received her bachelor's degree in Human Service Studies. Specializing in couples and families, she is currently interning at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center this fall, where she works with families in the children's oncology and hematology unit.