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Who Says You Can't Heal?: Overcoming and Thriving After Sexual Assault
"Who Says You Can't Heal?" explores the profound process of developing the passion to heal and thrive after the harrowing experience of sexual assault. It aims to empower survivors and inspire resilience.
Inside these pages, you’ll gain understanding, be reminded of self-love and self-compassion, find practical advice, process your pain, confront challenges, and emerge stronger than ever. Whether you’re navigating the complex emotions of guilt and shame, redefining intimacy, or learning to celebrate small victories, this book will guide you every step of the way.
Healing is possible. Thriving is within reach. And your story, no matter where you are in it, is far from over. Let this book remind you of one unshakable You are not broken, and you are capable of more than you ever imagined.
So, who says you can’t heal? No one! Not even you!
Inside these pages, you’ll gain understanding, be reminded of self-love and self-compassion, find practical advice, process your pain, confront challenges, and emerge stronger than ever. Whether you’re navigating the complex emotions of guilt and shame, redefining intimacy, or learning to celebrate small victories, this book will guide you every step of the way.
Healing is possible. Thriving is within reach. And your story, no matter where you are in it, is far from over. Let this book remind you of one unshakable You are not broken, and you are capable of more than you ever imagined.
So, who says you can’t heal? No one! Not even you!
161 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 27, 2025
About the author
Marie McKenzie
20 books33 followersMarie McKenzie is an Award-Winning and #1 Amazon Best-selling author, registered nurse, trauma-informed educator, with more than 26 years of experience mostly in emergency care and survivor advocacy. Through her writing and teaching, she brings powerful attention to the realities survivors face and the urgent need for systems that respond with compassion, accountability, and dignity.
Marie is the founder of the International Sexual Assault Coaching Institute (ISACI) and the creator of the R.I.S.E.™ Trauma-Informed Care Framework, which teaches healthcare professionals how to Recognize trauma, Initiate safe care, Support healing, and Empower recovery for survivors of sexual violence and other forms of trauma.
Through R.I.S.E., Marie equips healthcare teams with practical, evidence-informed strategies to respond appropriately to disclosures, strengthen patient trust, and create safer clinical environments where survivors are treated with dignity and respect.
Marie’s commitment to this work is both professional and deeply personal. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, she understands the lifelong impact of trauma and the profound difference compassionate care can make in a survivor’s healing journey.
Through her books, training, and advocacy, Marie works to break the silence surrounding sexual violence and ensure survivors are met with informed care, compassion, and unwavering support.
She lives in Orlando, Florida, where she continues to write, teach, and advocate for survivor-centered, trauma-informed change.
Marie is the founder of the International Sexual Assault Coaching Institute (ISACI) and the creator of the R.I.S.E.™ Trauma-Informed Care Framework, which teaches healthcare professionals how to Recognize trauma, Initiate safe care, Support healing, and Empower recovery for survivors of sexual violence and other forms of trauma.
Through R.I.S.E., Marie equips healthcare teams with practical, evidence-informed strategies to respond appropriately to disclosures, strengthen patient trust, and create safer clinical environments where survivors are treated with dignity and respect.
Marie’s commitment to this work is both professional and deeply personal. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, she understands the lifelong impact of trauma and the profound difference compassionate care can make in a survivor’s healing journey.
Through her books, training, and advocacy, Marie works to break the silence surrounding sexual violence and ensure survivors are met with informed care, compassion, and unwavering support.
She lives in Orlando, Florida, where she continues to write, teach, and advocate for survivor-centered, trauma-informed change.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 7, 2026
good
I like the way that the book has got all of the information needed to give me advice.
What a helpful book.
I recommend this book to everyone.
I am sure that you will enjoy reading it as much as I did.
I like the way that the book has got all of the information needed to give me advice.
What a helpful book.
I recommend this book to everyone.
I am sure that you will enjoy reading it as much as I did.
September 22, 2025
Who Says You Can’t Heal?: Overcoming and Thriving After Sexual Assault by Marie McKenzie is a powerful, compassionate guide to recovery. As a survivor of multiple sexual assaults and a clinical social worker who sometimes supports other survivors, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. McKenzie offers validation, hope, and practical tools for healing, and I will absolutely be suggesting this book as a resource for victims, survivors, and thrivers of sexual assault who cross both my personal and professional path.
July 28, 2025
Who Says You Can’t Heal? is the book I didn’t know I needed, and now can’t stop recommending to everyone I care about.
From the very first page, Marie McKenzie speaks to you, not at you. No overwhelming clinical jargon, no vague self-help fluff just real, relatable, compassionate truth. It reads like a conversation with a wise, warm friend who’s been through it and wants you to know: you’re not broken, and healing is possible.
Marie doesn’t just name the trauma responses and defence mechanisms we’ve been quietly battlingshe gently shines a light on them, gives them language, and then hands you actual, doable tools to move through them. Not just “try meditation” or “do some yoga”—but guided meditations, trauma-informed yoga poses, and other grounded practices that meet you exactly where you are.
What makes this book stand out is its core message: you get to heal on your own terms. Marie reminds us that healing is not a race, and it doesn’t have to look perfect. What matters is that you take that first step and choose yourself.
If you’re ready to reclaim your power, if you’re tired of feeling stuck, if you want a book that combines heart, hope, and real help this is it!
I chose to heal. You can too.
And Marie McKenzie just gave us the map.
From the very first page, Marie McKenzie speaks to you, not at you. No overwhelming clinical jargon, no vague self-help fluff just real, relatable, compassionate truth. It reads like a conversation with a wise, warm friend who’s been through it and wants you to know: you’re not broken, and healing is possible.
Marie doesn’t just name the trauma responses and defence mechanisms we’ve been quietly battlingshe gently shines a light on them, gives them language, and then hands you actual, doable tools to move through them. Not just “try meditation” or “do some yoga”—but guided meditations, trauma-informed yoga poses, and other grounded practices that meet you exactly where you are.
What makes this book stand out is its core message: you get to heal on your own terms. Marie reminds us that healing is not a race, and it doesn’t have to look perfect. What matters is that you take that first step and choose yourself.
If you’re ready to reclaim your power, if you’re tired of feeling stuck, if you want a book that combines heart, hope, and real help this is it!
I chose to heal. You can too.
And Marie McKenzie just gave us the map.
July 22, 2025
A deeply comforting and empowering read
Who Said You Can’t Heal? by Marie McKenzie felt like a warm, reassuring conversation with someone who truly understands. From the very first page, I was struck by how easy it was to read not because the topic is light, but because Marie writes with such clarity, compassion, and humanity.
The book is filled with helpful techniques and gentle guidance, but what stood out to me most was the tone: one of belief, kindness, and zero judgement. As someone who works closely with survivor, I know that makes all the difference. I didn’t feel overwhelmed, I felt seen.
Marie shares her wisdom in a way that’s both practical and deeply personal, blending heartfelt anecdotes with genuinely useful tools. Despite the heaviness of the subject matter, I felt safe while reading something I don’t take for granted.
This book doesn’t just speak to healing it believes in it. And more importantly, it helps you believe in it too.
Who Said You Can’t Heal? by Marie McKenzie felt like a warm, reassuring conversation with someone who truly understands. From the very first page, I was struck by how easy it was to read not because the topic is light, but because Marie writes with such clarity, compassion, and humanity.
The book is filled with helpful techniques and gentle guidance, but what stood out to me most was the tone: one of belief, kindness, and zero judgement. As someone who works closely with survivor, I know that makes all the difference. I didn’t feel overwhelmed, I felt seen.
Marie shares her wisdom in a way that’s both practical and deeply personal, blending heartfelt anecdotes with genuinely useful tools. Despite the heaviness of the subject matter, I felt safe while reading something I don’t take for granted.
This book doesn’t just speak to healing it believes in it. And more importantly, it helps you believe in it too.
July 17, 2025
Who Says You Can't Heal by Marie MacKenzie
I myself have never been through anything like this, but I do know people that have been through something as bad as SA. I think her book speaks directly to survivors with honesty, compassion, and courage.
What makes her book stand out is how it doesn’t shy away from the hard truths of surviving sexual assault, but it also refuses to let pain have the last word.
Again, I am beyond grateful to have never gone through anything like sexual assault. But had I, "WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T HEAL" by Marie McKenzie, gently guides readers through the rawness of grief, guilt, and shame while holding our hand toward rediscovery—of our power, our voice, and our worth.
It’s not about rushing the healing process, but about owning it with self-love and resilience. Marie McKenzie book reminds us that healing isn’t linear, but it’s absolutely possible. And most of all—it reminds people that they are not broken.
In my opinion, her book is greatly needed.
I myself have never been through anything like this, but I do know people that have been through something as bad as SA. I think her book speaks directly to survivors with honesty, compassion, and courage.
What makes her book stand out is how it doesn’t shy away from the hard truths of surviving sexual assault, but it also refuses to let pain have the last word.
Again, I am beyond grateful to have never gone through anything like sexual assault. But had I, "WHO SAYS YOU CAN'T HEAL" by Marie McKenzie, gently guides readers through the rawness of grief, guilt, and shame while holding our hand toward rediscovery—of our power, our voice, and our worth.
It’s not about rushing the healing process, but about owning it with self-love and resilience. Marie McKenzie book reminds us that healing isn’t linear, but it’s absolutely possible. And most of all—it reminds people that they are not broken.
In my opinion, her book is greatly needed.
December 1, 2025
I thought this book was very sweet and empowering. It didn't take me long to read through it, but I wouldn't recommend that someone Rush and finish it in one sitting. The author did a great job of conveying to the reader that anything is possible and that we all can overcome our pain and hardships. When it comes to healing from past trauma, it does take time, but this book is enough to give someone hope to keep going. I would read another book by this author
December 13, 2025
This book is well-written, informative, and encouraging. Definitely a helpful read for those that need it. This book could also help those that haven't been there, but know someone who has, to understand how SA affects people.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews