Table of Contents
Introduction 1
Part I About Adverse Childhood Experiences
Chapter 1 Toxic Stress and Adverse Childhood Experiences 6
Chapter 2 How ACEs Harm the Body: The Mechanisms 18
Chapter 3 How ACEs Shape Psychology 25
Part II Solutions
About Healing
Chapter 4 The Promise of Healing 44
Self-Care
Chapter 5 Regulate Stress Arousal 54
Chapter 6 Regulate Strong Emotions 60
Chapter 7 Take Care of Your Brain 67
Strengthening and Stabilizing the Nervous System with Imagery
Chapter 8 Attachment Imagery 78
Chapter 9 Self-Nurturing Imagery 84
Chapter 10 Exploring Imagery 88
Chapter 11 Attachment Imagery for Your Teen Years 92
Chapter 12 Comforting Imagery for Difficult Times 95
Getting to the Bottom of Things: Floatback Strategies
Chapter 13 Floating Back for Disturbing Events 98
Chapter 14 Floating Back to Core Beliefs 105
Reworking Shame
Chapter 15 Shame and Self-Esteem 116
Chapter 16 Rework Shame from Parents 121
Chapter 17 Rework Later Shame Programming 125
Chapter 18 Soften Body Shame 129
Chapter 19 Loving the Body 133
Chapter 20 Healing Inner Dialogue 136
Chapter 21 Disconnect from Memory's Quicksand 140
Chapter 22 How Would the World Be Different? 146
Chapter 23 Prepare for the Return of Shame 150
Moving Forward
Chapter 24 Cultivate Self-Respect 154
Chapter 25 Forgive Old Wounds 166
Chapter 26 Feed the Soul 173
Chapter 27 Weave Joy into Your Life 180
Chapter 28 Create a New Future 186
Chapter 29 Conclusion 192
Appendix A Skills Record 195
Appendix B Shame Symptoms Inventory 198
Acknowledgments 206
Recommended Resources 207
References 215