What drew me to this book was the fact that its author works as both a clinical and forensic psychologist. As someone with a trauma history Im always looking for new better ways to manage its impacts. As someone with a psychology degree (the most expensive piece of paper I own) I am interested in the why behind the what when people act in ways that victimise others. I love that this book delves into something that most people conveniently ignore: sometimes a person is both victim and perpetrator A blend of theory and case studies (composites so as not to breach confidentiality) this book would be of interest to both trauma survivors and those who work in helping professions.
-- Schizanthus Nerd
Powerfully, accessibly, and with a clinicians depth of detail, Dr Guha writes directly about the violence we prefer to drape in darkness. She shows that it is only by seeking to understand its causes and consequences that we can work towards creating safer, fairer communities. Im grateful to her for this illuminating, and urgently necessary, book.
-- Sarah Krasnostein, author of
The Trauma Cleaner and
The BelieverReclaim gave me a better understanding of my own trauma. Huge gratitude to Dr Guha for this well-crafted book A must-read for everyone.
-- Veronica Gorrie, author of
Black and BlueIn a world that so often turns away from the complexities of trauma and abuse, this book turns towards them Reclaim is a game-changer.
-- Chris Cheers, psychologist and author of
The New RulebookReclaim is for victims of abuse, for their families and loved ones, but above all for anyone who wants to understand human behaviour.
-- Mark Rubbo, Managing Director of
ReadingsReclaim is one of those books I will revisit again, whenever I need to process certain events or experiences.
-- Dr Yumiko Kadota, author of
Emotional FemaleDr Guha provides a highly accessible work that covers a lot of ground, and is illustrated by composite case studies of her own patients, and some detail about her own experience of trauma Reclaim is a fascinating insight into different types of trauma, survivors, abusers, institutional abuse and invites the reader to enter a full and open discussion about these issues This book is a nuanced exploration of the nature of trauma, the people it affects, and how we might, both as individuals and as a society, reduce its harm.
-- Cass Moriarty, author of
The Promise Seed and
Parting WordsGuhas willingness to confront this murky terrain is courageous, a clinical psychologist and forensic expert, has penned a book about trauma that is not literary, academic, or self-help: it is a clear-eyed analysis by a professionally qualified, socially engaged and intimately informed author. Guha purportedly wrote the book to redress fallacies in a world that is beset by trauma. The most admirable thing [Reclaim] is its advocacy for those caught in the darkest realms of traumas slipstream: the least likeable among us, who act out in the most socially unacceptable ways. Guha demands we seek to understand not only traumatised sweethearts (those who invite sympathy) but also people who exhibit alienating, infuriating or frightening trauma-fuelled traits Reclaim [pushes] back against common value judgements that less traumatised and more privileged people make about those living with complex trauma by looking around soberly and inviting us to build a trauma-informed community and move toward a more just future.
-- Dr Meera Atkinson * The Conversation *
[Reclaim] is an excellent starting point for anyone wanting clarification about the impact of trauma, with further information on where to find therapy and support.
-- Cheryl Akle * The Australian *
While there are brilliant authors in the fields of domestic violence and trauma recovery, Dr Guha synthesises the fields so that theyre easy to navigate, offering a compassionate way forwardin gender-neutral languagefor both victim and perpetrator.
-- Jenny Hedley * Westerly Mag *
