What is it like to spiritually heal from childhood sexual abuse? TELLINGS describes the process vividly and creatively, which allows Katherine's inspirational story to unfold quietly and compellingly in the reader's mind.
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Review - "A very important book." Of all the survivor narratives I have read, this one does the best job of putting into words the experience of living with the aftermath of and healing from childhood sexual abuse. Ms. Heart effectively uses poetry, artwork, and journal entries as well as narrative to share her journey. These different modes of expression underscore the multi-faceted nature of the healing process and provide the reader with a much fuller understanding of her experiences than any one modality could have done alone. I highly recommend this book not only to survivors of childhood sexual abuse, but also (and arguably more importantly) to all health care providers who work with those who have been sexually abused as children. Her depiction of encounters with the mental health system are enlightening and illustrate both how we, as mental health care providers, can truly facilitate wonderful healing in those we are dedicated to serving as well as seriously hinder it through simple well-meaning ignorance. Reading this book has strengthened my resolve to always strive to do the former and I thank Ms. Heart for having the courage to share her journey with us. --- Katherine A. Kwiatkowski, MD
Review: "A true victory of the human spirit." "Tellings" depicts Kathy Heart's long, dark, difficult journey as a victorious survivor of childhood sexual abuse. She uses a unique style that both plunges the reader into her harrowing reality, and yet protects them from a bathos of emotionality. At no time does Ms. Heart see herself as victim or indulge herself in pity or bitterness. With great "heart" she survives the unsurvivable, emerging as a sterling example of the Victorious Personality. I was deeply moved by her courage and her determination to rise above the trauma of her history. The book reflects Heart's artistry, creativity and profound emotional intelligence. Her unique ability to present the truth without emotionalizing it moved me ... "Tellings" left me filled with admiration for a woman/child who rose above her sexual abuse to reclaim her loving, generous human nature - a true victory of the human spirit. ---Kathryn H. Miller, Founding Executive Director, Somatic Institute, Pittsburgh, Inc.
Review: "A Profound Journey" Katherine has written a moving account of overcoming major obstacles in life in order to live from the truth of her being. As a psychotherapist, this book has given me valuable insight into the difficult process of healing deep emotional wounds. Her experience on the receiving end of the health profession (particularly psychiatrists) is sometimes harrowing, and in one case extremely evocative, highlighting for me the need for professionals to treat their patients as human beings rather than case studies. I believe this book should be read by anyone working in the mental health profession. ---Kimberly Paumier, Psychotherapist, London, England
From the poem, "Womon Throwing Off Rage:"
What is on the other side of rage? It's not a matter of getting over rage or raging then not raging. Don't ever give up the instinct to rage. Rage is the source of daily passions, the energy to begin and sustain. The readiness to become angry in a moment could save your life in a late night garage.
Rage is the place I am immediately taken during newsflash atrocities. Acts of torture wife beating molestation. A murky myriad of oppressions across the road nation world.
I begin to dance in the rage. Crux of energy amidst a void, I whirl out carrying fresh light on my heels, on tips of scarves, on silver edges of a timeworn gown. At a stop in the stillness, gathered around is laughter and play, pure spark Joy filled again.
About Katherine F.H. Heart, M.Ed.
Katherine F.H. Heart, M.Ed. has presented readings and workshops about healing childhood sexual abuse on a national level. She was the Training Coordinator at Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (1986-1992) and the Center for Victims of Violent Crime (1997). She has previously published a portion of her creative non-fiction memoir: an essay, painting and poem titled "Womon Throwing Off Rage" in SHE WHO WAS LOST IS REMEMBERED: Healing Incest Through Creativity (ed. Louse Wisechild, Seal Press, 1991). TELLINGS is unique among the literature of first-person accounts of healing childhood sexual abuse. This work describes in a truthful, authentic voice, the complexities of healing over many years, utilizing inner creative and spiritual resources, and the mixed value of relying on treatment from a mental health system that is still not fully competent. Vivid snapshots of childhood are shared in a prose poetry style that captures the reader's imagination and compels them to turn to the next adventure. TELLINGS is a multi-genre work, told in four parts, using prose poetry, short stories, journal entries and short narratives to describe a diverse lifetime journey to wholeness.
Katherine F.H. Heart, M.Ed., Author, Advocate & Health Educator offers presentations about "POST-TRAUMA WELLNESS" through HEART Resources, LLC. Contact her at kheartwriter@aol.com.
On the cover, Womon Throwing Off Rage, by Katherine F. H. Heart.
What is it like to spiritually heal from childhood sexual abuse? TELLINGS describes the process vividly and creatively, which allows Katherine's inspirational story to unfold quietly and compellingly in the reader's mind.
Katherine F.H. Heart, M.Ed. has presented readings and workshops about healing childhood sexual abuse on a national level. She was the Training Coordinator at Pittsburgh Action Against Rape (1986-1992) and the Center for Victims of Violent Crime (1997). She has previously published a portion of her creative non-fiction memoir: an essay, painting and poem titled "Womon Throwing Off Rage" in SHE WHO WAS LOST IS REMEMBERED: Healing Incest Through Creativity (ed. Louse Wisechild, Seal Press, 1991). TELLINGS is unique among the literature of first-person accounts of healing childhood sexual abuse. This work describes in a truthful, authentic voice, the complexities of healing over many years, utilizing inner creative and spiritual resources, and the mixed value of relying on treatment from a mental health system that is still not fully competent. Vivid snapshots of childhood are shared in a prose poetry style that captures the reader's imagination and compels them to turn to the next adventure. TELLINGS is a multi-genre work, told in four parts, using prose poetry, short stories, journal entries and short narratives to describe a diverse lifetime journey to wholeness.