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The survivor's guide
ClinicalPsychologyR&w, Vol. 16, No. 4, p. 363,1996 &might 0 1996 FJscvierScience Ltd PrihwdVinthe USA. AU rightsreserved 027%7356/96 $15.00 t .oo
Pergamon
BOOK REVIEW The Survivor’s Guide. By S. A. Lee. Thousand Oaks, CQ: Sage Publications, Inc., 1995. 145 pp. The Survivor3 Guide, a handbook for adolescent females who have been sexually abused, is an extremely useful new book for therapists who work with this population. Written by a counselor who specializes in group counseling for young sexually abused women, the guide explains common symptoms that are found in the aftermath of assault. The guide is peppered with real-life examples, which makes it user-friendly and helps to normalize the symptoms. Not only does it explain the symptom constellation found in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but also concomitant prob lems such as drug and alcohol abuse, self-harm, panic attacks, relationship difficulties, and school problems. It also explains symptoms such as lying and abusing others in nonjudgmental language. In addition, this book offers sound advice for young women about how to seek help from friends, family members, and counselors. The Survivor’s Guide seems ideal for use in conjunction with group counseling, as a launching point for discussions or for laying a foundation for discussions as a group begins. The author suggests that pertinent sections be pulled out to tailor the materials to specific individuals. In addition, it may be useful with young women who have suffered abuse but who have limited access to mental health services. For them, the information provided about common symptoms would be expected to reduce distress by normalizing symptoms. The guide is clearly written, in language young women can understand, and explains much of the jargon used in the field of sexual abuse (i.e., flashbacks, disso ciation) in a glossary. Especially useful is a chart of symptoms following abuse and their effects on classroom behavior and performance. Thii section could be used to educate teachers and school counselors about young women they work with who have been abused. In short, this guide is an essential part of the library in school counseling centers and clinics where sexually abused adolescents are seen. It offers a young women easy access to information she needs about the aftermath of abuse, and provides a common language for talking about such problems with professionals and friends. LISA H. JAYCOX, PhD Medical Colhp of Pennsylvaniu and Hahnemunn Universiq
PII SO272-7358(96)0001%X
363
Pergamon
BOOK REVIEW The Survivor’s Guide. By S. A. Lee. Thousand Oaks, CQ: Sage Publications, Inc., 1995. 145 pp. The Survivor3 Guide, a handbook for adolescent females who have been sexually abused, is an extremely useful new book for therapists who work with this population. Written by a counselor who specializes in group counseling for young sexually abused women, the guide explains common symptoms that are found in the aftermath of assault. The guide is peppered with real-life examples, which makes it user-friendly and helps to normalize the symptoms. Not only does it explain the symptom constellation found in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), but also concomitant prob lems such as drug and alcohol abuse, self-harm, panic attacks, relationship difficulties, and school problems. It also explains symptoms such as lying and abusing others in nonjudgmental language. In addition, this book offers sound advice for young women about how to seek help from friends, family members, and counselors. The Survivor’s Guide seems ideal for use in conjunction with group counseling, as a launching point for discussions or for laying a foundation for discussions as a group begins. The author suggests that pertinent sections be pulled out to tailor the materials to specific individuals. In addition, it may be useful with young women who have suffered abuse but who have limited access to mental health services. For them, the information provided about common symptoms would be expected to reduce distress by normalizing symptoms. The guide is clearly written, in language young women can understand, and explains much of the jargon used in the field of sexual abuse (i.e., flashbacks, disso ciation) in a glossary. Especially useful is a chart of symptoms following abuse and their effects on classroom behavior and performance. Thii section could be used to educate teachers and school counselors about young women they work with who have been abused. In short, this guide is an essential part of the library in school counseling centers and clinics where sexually abused adolescents are seen. It offers a young women easy access to information she needs about the aftermath of abuse, and provides a common language for talking about such problems with professionals and friends. LISA H. JAYCOX, PhD Medical Colhp of Pennsylvaniu and Hahnemunn Universiq
PII SO272-7358(96)0001%X
363