Contents

letter from the authors

Raychelle Cassada Lohmann and Sheela Raja

1: knowing when to get help

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

2: where to find help

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

3: personal safety plan

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

4: circle of support

you need to know

my story

The Inner Circle

The Outer Circle

directions

more to do

5: why me?

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

6: sharing your story

you need to know

my story

directions

my story

more to do

7: taking care of yourself

you need to know

my story

Your Mind

Your Body

Your Spirit

directions

more to do

8: learning to breathe

you need to know

my story

directions

Chest Breathing

Abdominal Breathing

more to do

9: sleep

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

10: exercise

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

11: nutrition and well-being

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

12: emotional well-being

you need to know

my story

directions

13: acceptance

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

14: self-soothing behaviors

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

15: healing through writing

you need to know

my story

directions

Four Tips for Journaling

more to do

16: progressive muscle relaxation

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

17: engaging in mindfulness

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

18: guided imagery

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

19: life scripts

you need to know

my story

Life Scripts

directions

more to do

20: choosing healthy coping skills

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

21: coping with nightmares

you need to know

my story

Imagery Rehearsal Example

directions

more to do

22: coping with flashbacks

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

23: overcoming emotional detachment

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

24: noticing and coping with anger

you need to know

my story

1. Physical Cues

2. Angry Thoughts

3. Angry Actions and Behaviors

directions

more to do

25: constructive and destructive guilt

you need to know

my story

Constructive Guilt

Destructive Guilt

directions

more to do

26: conquering shame

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

27: identifying depression

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

28: PTSD

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

29: facing your fears

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

30: identifying anxious patterns

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

31: responding to love and joy

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

Open Hearts

32: empowerment through affirmations

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

33: respecting and nurturing yourself

you need to know

my story

directions

more to do

34: from beginning to end—telling your story

you need to know

our story

directions

more to do

acknowledgments

additional resources