Act It Out: 25 Expressive Ways to Heal from Childhood Abuse

by S.A. Stolinsky

The effects of childhood abuse often linger on into adulthood, and deeply implanted symptoms continue to have negative impacts on the survivors and their loved ones. By drawing on techniques used by actors, readers can uncover buried feelings, confront painful experiences, and begin to form trusting relationships with others. Act It Out presents these methods in a series of safe, simple, and creative exercises.

200 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2002

Reviews

[Douglas Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children who have survived physical, emotional, or sexual abuse often have trouble finding and maintaining loving, trusting relationships. Here, clinical psychologist Stolinsky balances background information with stories, effectively illustrating (but not sensationalizing) the horrors of child abuse. In her clinical practice, the author, a former actress, found that her patients benefited from using acting exercises that create and explore different environments. These same methods allow abuse survivors to explore their feelings, as well as “some of the moments, sounds, sights, objects, and feelings” connected to the psychologically terrifying experiences that damaged them. Brief, informative analyses of symptoms common to survivors and their relationships are offered. Clearly written for a lay audience, this book respectfully and gently treats a difficult topic. Readers will appreciate the author’s obvious effort and concern. Highly recommended.

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