The Damage of Words: A Memoir of Healing Self-Hate and Gaining Self-Mastery

by Katrina Collier

Born into a household ruled by generational trauma, this memoir chronicles one woman’s journey from childhood abuse and self-loathing to healing and self-mastery. Raised by a narcissistic mother and a passive father, she endured years of emotional and physical abuse, leaving her insecure, hypervigilant, and grappling with complex PTSD.

At age 40, fate intervened, setting her on a 12-year path to confront the roots of her pain—in past lives, DNA, and deeply buried trauma—and to spirit awaken. Through various healing modalities and personal breakthroughs, she not only healed herself but also transcended self-hate to achieve emotional regulation, happiness, and calm.

For readers seeking hope and inspiration in their own mental health journeys, this teaching memoir offers a compassionate guide to the transformative power of self-work, proving that healing—even from the deepest wounds—is always possible.

210 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2025

About the author

Katrina Collier is the acclaimed author of The Robot-Proof Recruiter and Reboot Hiring and a global keynote speaker and facilitator renowned for championing human connection in hiring and mental health. In her debut memoir, The Damage of Words, Katrina shares her 12-year healing journey, detailing her recovery from narcissistic abuse, complex PTSD, and self-loathing. She explores diverse healing modalities, past lives, DNA-level trauma, and her spiritual gifts, offering research-backed insights and hope to inspire others to transform pain into empowerment and reclaim their worth.

LinkedIn: @KatrinaCollier | Instagram: @KatrinaMCollier

Reviews

[Loub2shoes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read. I sped through Katrina’s book in three days and know I will go back, very soon, to read again, to absorb the impact of her memoir fully. I am sure this will be a powerful guide for those on a similar journey to that Katrina took. Katrina is an amazing person and I recommend this book.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real, raw and inspirational

I didn’t know Katrina before reading her book, but I was so moved by her story that I made the effort to attend her book launch—and I’m so glad I did. Meeting her in person really mattered. Part of me needed to see the evidence that deep healing and recovery from complex trauma is truly possible—and Katrina is that evidence. She embodies the transformation she writes about with such honesty and courage.

The book is raw, real, and written from a place of healing rather than wounding. Despite the painful experiences she shares, it’s not a heavy or miserable read. Katrina writes with clarity, warmth, and humour.

What inspired me most was her willingness to explore a wide range of healing modalities. It’s a sign of her strength and determination. We can get stuck in the idea that there’s only one “right” way to heal—and if that way doesn’t work, it can feel hopeless. Katrina’s story reminds us that healing isn’t straight forward and that there are many paths to recovery.

I’d recommend this book to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of complex childhood trauma and what it takes to heal. Katrina’s story is deeply inspiring.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Day two post release and I’ve just finished this brilliant memoir - I just couldn’t put the book down…it’s really that good. Katrina has written in detail about her journey from childhood abuse through to healing and spiritual enlightenment, with compassion for her abusive / enabling parents and raw honesty throughout. Laying herself bare for anyone who knows her personally or professionally, and displaying the courage through her writing to be open about her life, safe in the knowledge that being her authentic self and armed with her spirituality are armour enough to protect her from any negativity from naysayers. This will definitely be a recommendation for anyone who has faced adversity growing up and are on or wanting to start their own healing journey.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Damage of Words is a powerful and deeply moving memoir. I read it while on holiday, and it really hit home. Katrina’s journey through healing from a painful childhood mirrors so much of my own. As a fellow survivor of narcissistic abuse from my mother, I recognised many of the techniques she shares.

From practical self-mastery tools to the gentle support of crystals, which she weaves beautifully into her story, Katrina’s words will resonate with anyone carrying the weight of childhood hurt, whether from abuse, neglect, or other negativity.

This book is both courageous and inspiring. Katrina has managed to turn her wounds into wisdom and, in doing so, reminds us all that we too have the capacity to heal and transform.

[Elzette Fourie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed Katrina's work in a personal and professional capacity for many years. While reading "The Damage of Words", every word hit home, and because I'm familiar with Katrina, I delighted in being able to read the book in her voice, as if she was telling me the story herself.

This memoir is so personal to Katrina, and it can't have been easy to relive bad memories while writing it.

Thank you, Katrina, for sharing a huge and personal part of your life with us. I've learnt so much from your journey, and about healing practices I'd not considered before, which I am hoping to apply to parts of my own life.

This is a book full of hope, insight and healing. I highly recommend it.

P.S. Thank you for my very special signed copy!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hits hard, but then gives you hope and help for your own future

Reading Katrina's story was a little triggering to say the least, having had a lot of similar events happen to me as a child, but the revelation of the 'highly-sensitive narcissist' made a lot of things make sense.

This book will not only validate many people's childhoods but also provide them with the tools to move on from their past, which is the biggest highlight for me. I've met many individuals who are so damaged from their experience as a child and struggle not to bring it into their day-to-day, even to the point of referencing it continually as an excuse for their bad behaviours as an adult.

It's time to heal.

[Sarah Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

You never know where someone came from--and you generally don't even know where they are no. So much of who we are comes from how we were raised. Katrina Collier grew up with an abusive mother, and that damage was deep, but rather than wallowing in that, she tackled it head-on.

From angels to spiritual healers to psychic guides, Katrina learned how to forgive, move on, and take control of her own life. If you are struggling to overcome your past, The Damage of Words is a great guide to finding your own path. You might not believe in angels, but that doesn't mean angels don't believe in you.