Bulletproof--Healing After Gun Violence & Trauma: A Guide for Survivors, Caregivers, and Clinicians

by Jill McMahon, Michelle Palmer (Foreword)

Bulletproof is written specifically for people impacted by gun violence and traumatic loss.

Jill McMahon is a licensed professional counselor and gun violence survivor. She shares the wisdom she’s gained from working with thousands of trauma survivors to help others find a path forward.

Bulletproof is about healing, not politics. It outlines in simple terms what trauma survivors experience and why, providing straightforward explanations and useful techniques to regain control over pain and begin to heal. Jill shares survivor stories to illustrate how they overcame trauma and took back their lives.

Bulletproof is ultimately a book about hope.

The goal of this book is to show survivors that they have the strength to overpower their pain and find a life filled with immeasurable possibilities. There is life after this trauma, and that life can be good!

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2024

About the author

Jill is a licensed professional counselor that has spent over two decades sitting with families that have been impacted by suicide loss, and gun violence. She hopes to help those impacted by this trauma to feel heard and supported; while guiding new mental health professionals to best understand these unique experiences.

She splits her time between the heat of the SW desert and the waters of the NE coast.

Reviews

[Ruth Plotkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring must read!

This book is a must read for all trauma survivors, mental health professionals and educators, however it is so well written that truly everyone can benefit from the lessons taught in Bulletproof. Jill has such a gift of writing, her compassion and expertise on healing both the body and mind will resonate with you. The subject matter is written in terms that we can all relate to and learn from.

[Thomas Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the heaviness of the topics, this was a fantastic read. The author has done a brilliant job of making the information easy to digest. The personal stories from the author, her clients, and her colleagues grab your attention and pull you right in. As a suicide loss survivor 20 plus years out from my loss, Bulletproof expanded my awareness of an entirely new dimension around my trauma, and I am grateful for it. This book is filled with real-life experiences that drive home the point of each chapter while providing solace with tips that, though meant for clinicians, can be easily translated and adapted for anyone in their healing journey. I highly recommend this book.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few years back a childhood friend was taken by gun violence. Despite not having spoken to her in several years preceding, the weight of that loss has stuck with me. Bulletproof helped me make sense of emotions I hadn’t fully unpacked. Jill writes with such empathy and insight—she doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff, but somehow makes it feel more manageable. It’s an important, healing read.

[Roxanna Catlett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really powerful tool to help understand and process life changing trauma. Thank you Jill for writing this guide.

[Aly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully and thoughtfully written, Bulletproof is a guide for those who have survived firearm violence, from those there, to first responders, communities and loved ones.

This book is full of empathy, vulnerability, insight and compassion that makes the reader feel understood no matter who they are and what their personal experience is.

I recommend it to anyone who serves survivors to give to clients who have survived firearm violence or lose a loved one to it.