Donna Bevan-Lee had a tough childhood. When her father was feeling playful, he roped her by the foot like a rodeo calf, yanking her to the ground every time the rope connected. In darker moods, he did far worse, his brutality excused by a complicit church. The abuse she suffered had profound and lasting consequences.

Too many adults have similar histories. Roughly a quarter of American children experience complex trauma resulting from abuse, neglect, catastrophic illness, or other adversity. Because such trauma affects the developing brain, it's not something we outgrow; it permanently alters our thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and behavior, often without our awareness. It derails our plans, sabotages our relationships, and convinces us that we're unworthy of happiness. It makes us vulnerable to addiction, obesity, depression, anxiety, chronic illness, and early death. It is a challenge like no other.

Dr. Bevan-Lee met the challenge of her childhood and helped other survivors to meet theirs. Now she has distilled her history. cutting-edge research, and four decades of clinical experience into a book for adult survivors of childhood trauma. Full of up-to-date information, practical help, compelling stories, and clear-eyed encouragement, this book is a comprehensive guide to recognizing and overcoming childhood trauma, written by someone who has been there.