Geri Henderson

I received this book through the Early Reviewers program in exchange for an honest review. I will admit, it has taken more longer to finish reading it than I would have thought. As a survivor of incest, I was only able to make it through the book bit by bit. The reason for this is because I wanted to process each of the chapters on their own before moving to the next one. While my experience was not to the level of hers, some of the topics she discussed with her therapist were similar with those I had gone through.

The book is general enough to apply to a variety of survivors while also specifically addressing what Geri had gone through. The advice, and view of her journey I found helpful. There were some sections that did not sit well with me and seemed judgemental, however that may just be due to my own personal journey.

Having the viewpoints bounce back and forth was distracting at first, but after a few pages I was able to work the change in perspective into almost a conversation I was listening to.

I would recommend this book to others with the only warning (which should be obvious) that there will be sections/descriptions that are triggers.… (más)

Well, I have to be honest. I did not like this book. And, I hasten to say, it had nothing to do with Henderson's story, or with her writing. It was the co-authorship that troubled me, from both a content and process point of view.

I found the italicized comments from Emerton, the therapist, intrusive, irritating, even somewhat patronizing. Henderson herself is quite insightful, and Emerton rarely added anything to the story. And she (Emerton) completely lost my faith in her psychological acumen when she conflated the subconscious and the unconscious, egregiously backing up this error by citing Carl Jung, who wrote so extensively on the collective unconscious and who must be rolling in his grave to hear he referred to the subconscious as the unconscious (p. 94).

I wish Henderson had been able to trust her own wisdom enough to let the book stand on its own, with just her words. That's my content comment. As for the process, despite the italicized discussion of the professional issues involved in a therapist collaborating with a former patient, I found the relationship unsettling.

Four stars for Henderson; half or one star for Emerton.… (más)

When I saw this book was only 188 pages, I thought, wow, I'll just zoom through it. No way.

As a sexual abuse survivor (biological father) myself, I thought I could have some insight into Geri's journey. And at first I was put off by the way the dialogue went back and forth between Geri and her previous therapist, Seanne. But as the book went on, and Geri began talking about tough issues, having that voice of reason (therapist) was actually really helpful. I'm sure all abuse survivors can see parts of themselves in Geri -- I definitely did (meaning after certain chapters I had to put the book down for a while). There are parts of her story that frustrate me, parts I cheer, parts I feel empathetic about.

I did years of therapy and group therapy, and have gotten through most of my issues regarding my own personal abuse. In many ways I am way ahead of where Geri will ever be, I fear. But for those silent sufferers who are beginning their healing journey, or for anyone who wants to understand what survivors go through, this book is a must.… (más)