Kallissa Bailey

“In fact, some might argue that starting C-PTSD treatment by diving into the back of your closet and chasing out your scariest, most deeply buried skeleton is a terrible idea. You could find a murderous clown in the storm drain of your life, and he could start haunting your everyday existence. You could dig up something that triggers you badly and makes your symptoms worse or is so unpleasant to look at that you just quit therapy and never come back. That’s why many trauma therapists try to set up a strong framework of coping mechanisms before people launch into their foundational traumas.”
― Stephanie Foo, What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma

“You don’t know why? You honestly don’t know why?” “Tell me in one sentence why. I just want to hear one sentence.” I said it slowly. “Because you don’t love me.” “What do you mean I don’t love you? Tell me what that means.” “What does that mean? Abuse. Neglect. And you used me…”
― Stephanie Foo, What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma

“He didn’t answer. He’d stopped calling months ago, now that I’d helped resolve his relationships with his family. I waited and I waited. My phone stayed silent.”
― Stephanie Foo, What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma

“Learning to need a family—to rely on them and give myself to them—was a skill I had to learn in order to date Joey.”
― Stephanie Foo, What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma