Fractured Souls and Splintered Memories : Unlocking the "Boxes" of Trauma

This book is about a trauma narrative, not counseling or therapy. It is widely known that CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) is NOT effective for treating trauma, yet that is nearly all that is discussed in this book. The therapist never provides EMDR, somatic work, or any other effective trauma techniques to help the client heal. All they do is talk therapy with a sprinkling of independent inner child work of letter-writing and some brief mention of independent art therapy.Consequently, the story is not believable. The trauma narrative of the client feels loosely based on someone's real personal experience, but the interaction with the therapist is bizarre and detached. From the beginning, the client (Michelle) is hyper-focused on her relationship with the therapist (Dr. Natalie), and the author writes that she is constantly thinking about how much she loves, respects, and admires her therapist. Of course, this happens, but there is typically a build-up of a relationship... and it's weird that she can't trust anyone in her life but is totally bought-in to this therapeutic relationship from the start. The details and anecdotes of Michelle's trauma narrative seem FAR too specific for the author to be an outsider to this story: either she is Michelle or Natalie (WHY is she always referred to as "Dr. Natalie" through the entire book??), or the book is fiction, inspired by a real story.Regardless, Natalie is basically a couch potato in the story. She hardly asks questions, she mostly sits there and serves as a receptacle for all of Michelle's dumping, and sends her home. The author asserts that she is a competent, experienced, and accomplished therapist -- but none of that comes through in the narrative or dialogue. The dialogue between them feels contrived and forced, and hardly anything is insightful. Where are the questions that get to the deeper issues? Where are the therapeutic techniques that incorporate movement and integrate the body? Where is her empathy and urgency when Michelle shares the awful things that happened to her? Every session they have feels the same: Michelle has an internal struggle about sharing something, she struggles the same way every time, she finally says the thing, Natalie thanks her for sharing, Michelle thanks her for listening, Natalie gives her some homework, Michelle leaves and wrestles with how it went. I mean EVERY TIME. It is so redundant, and it reads that way. At most, Natalie shows that she understands and cares for her client because her eyes glisten a couple times. That's it. It's not convincing.Lastly, there are strong undertones of Mormon beliefs, which is honestly just distracting. There is an assumption that the reader knows about the Mormon faith and its religious practices, and that the reader will understand all the vague Biblical references. I expected to run into some of this since there is a disclaimer on the copyright page that the book is not published by the Church of Latter Day Saints. I did not expect to be pulled away from the narrative by Michelle talking about "Heavenly Father," "the Atonement of Jesus Christ," and having discussions with "her religious leaders." Without context and for someone who is unfamiliar with these references, a good deal of the book is lost and confusing.I'm disappointed. I found this to be difficult to read, redundant, uninteresting, focused more on telling a trauma story - not the complexity of healing from trauma, and not aligned with current practices in trauma therapy. Readers would be better off reading a book by Bessel van der Kolk or Peter Levine if they want to be inspired to embrace their own healing journey.

Amazing book for anyone looking to be Inspired and healing

Christy Kane has captured has captured a memorable true story. This book provides the reader not only the intimate details of trauma and child abuse but the journey of a victim paired with a gifted therapist to move forward from victim to victor. It is a journey filled with denial, pain, shame and ultimately self-worth and forgiveness. This book also underscores a deeply spiritual relationship with God that ultimately shines the light on the path to recovery, leads to a brilliant therapist and provides the strength to prevail on the other side. A must read !

This book was an easy read, unless you might have suffered abuse, especially in your childhood. Then it would be a very emotional read, but likely a healing one. I loved what I came to understand about the therapeutic, healing process, and learned a few things that I can use in my own healing. I have recommended it to some women in a support group I attend, and they have also loved it, saying they are seeing new things they can try to increase their own healing. Even though the topic might not appeal to everyone, there are certainly many readers who would find something for them in this book!

What an incredible book. It is amazing that anyone could love through the trauma and be happy.

A powerful healing process that opens our mind to the fact that we can overcome but we have to persevere. Don’t give up.

This is a most remarkable witness of the virtue and resiliency of the human spirit enabled by the boundless power and compassion of Christ’s atonement. This story proves that through him all things are possible, and that the most unimaginable suffering, pain, and darkness can be transformed into power, light, love, and holy connection!

LOVE IT, mind opening