Recommended Resources
- Sheltering Wings
- Respect is Love by Yasmin Bali A Real Life Story
- Is it Abuse? By Darby A Strickland A Biblical Guide to identifying Domestic Abuse and Helping Victims
- It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa Terkeurst
- Forgiving What you Can’t Forget by Lysa Terkeurst
- Addiction.com
- Teen Challenge provides a broad scope of help and information in every area of drug and alcohol abuse. 3728 W. Chestnut Expwy. Springfield, MO 65802, (417) 862-6969, www.teenchallenge.com
- Eaton, L., Holz, A., Waliszewski, B. The Vicious Truth About Drug Addiction and Alcoholism retrieved July 10, 2017 from Focus on the Family website.
- The dangers of drugs and alcohol
- Teen Challenge provides a broad scope of help and information in every area of drug and alcohol abuse. 3728 W. Chestnut Expwy. Springfield, MO 65802, (417) 862-6969, www.teenchallenge.com
- Adult and Teen Challenge USA: David Wilkerson founded this faith-based recovery program in the 1960s.
- American Addiction Centers: This group offers specialized help for first responders battling substance abuse.
- Assessing and Addressing Opioid Use Disorder (OUD): This free interactive training module for health care providers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes credit for Continuing Medical Education.
- Celebrate Recovery: A Christian 12-step program for people struggling with addictions. Pioneered at Southern California’s Saddleback Church in 1991, more than 35,000 churches worldwide now have groups using the program.
- Crisisnextdoor.gov: A Web site the White House has created for individuals and families to share their stories.
- Lighthouse Network: A free national hotline you can call to discuss your own or a loved one’s struggle with substance abuse or other mental health issues. A dedicated specialist then works with you to find the best faith-based treatment options for your needs, your insurance and your location. (844) 543-3242
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: This agency has a wealth of information and other resources for perusal.
- Prescribed to Death: A three-minute film produced by the National Safety Council, talking to opioid users and those who’ve lost people to it.
- (NIH) National Institute of Mental Health: ADHD THE BASICS
- Additudemag.com
- ParentingADHDandAutism.com
- Adhdadulthood.com
- Inside the ADHD mind, resources and articles that help
Resources
- Hands Of Hope
- Yoga Video
- Oasis Community Support Group
- The Club Adoption Support Group
- Mother’s Rest
- TBRI
Podcasts
- When You Don’t Feel Joy But Feel Like You Should
- When To Get Help For Your Kids and What The Bible Says
- The Difference Between Coping and Healing
- Correcting Unacceptable Behavior
- Mental Health and Busy Moms
- The Connected Child: Dr. Karyn Purvis
- The Whole-Brain Child: Daniel Siegel
- Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development (YouTube videos)
- Why Do We Lose Control of Our Emotions? (YouTube video)
- Focus on the Family’s Plugged In – reviews magazines, films, books, music, and TV shows to help with appropriate entertainment choices
- Axis Parent Guide
- Five Love Languages – Love Language Quiz
- Focus on the Family. Thriving Pastor, free e-book provides church leaders with a summary of “Acute Mental Illness and Christian Faith, helps pastors identify mental illness and make effective referrals for Christian counseling.
- Focus on the Family Equips Pastors to Address Mental Illness
- Mood Disorders and a Reason to Live | Boundless … The impact of mood disorders, whose average onset is … Many people with depression drink, or use … transmitted “meaning,” such as church and family …
- The Anxiety Cure book; A Proven Method for Dealing with Worry, Stress and Panic Attacks, by Dr. Archibald Hart
- Emotionally Healthy Spirituality; It’s Impossible to be Spiritually Mature While Remaining Emotionally Immature; book by Peter Scazzero
- The Thorn in the Flesh; Hope for All Who Struggle with Impossible Conditions; book by R.T. Kendall
- Anxiety and your mental health podcast
- The link between anxiety and gratitude podcast
- Anxiety, Depression, medication and Jesus podcast
- Anxiety about school podcast
- Help me with anxiety podcast
- Anxiety, Stress and sleep podcast
- I need help for my anxiety!
- “The Unspoken: Anxiety and the Church” by Ashley Layne (online article)
- “5 Things Christians should know about Depression and Anxiety” by Brandon Peach (online article)
- “Killing what’s killing you: Worry/Fear” sermon by Aaron Brockett (January 13, 2019)
- “I’m Not Okay But Jesus Is” YouTube video by Louie Giglio
- Anxiety Is Really Strange: Steve Haines
- Focus on the Family. Thriving Pastor, free e-book provides church leaders with a summary of “Acute Mental Illness and Christian Faith, helps pastors identify mental illness and make effective referrals for Christian counseling.
- Focus on the Family Equips Pastors to Address Mental Illness … diagnosed with acute mental illness (depression, bipolar and … report also addresses the impact of mental
- How Mental Illness Impacts Families (Part 1) | Focus on the Family … a study on mental illness and the church, which is … we cannot deny the environmental impact on these
- Crash the Chatterbox: Hearing Gods voice above all others by Steven Furtick
Overpowering the lies of insecurity, fear, condemnation, and discouragement with the promises of God.
- Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen
“Every lie we buy into about ourselves is rooted in what we believe about God.”
- You are Enough, Calming Anxiety with Gratitude by Silver Kiwi Media
A journal for simply daily gratitude practice
- Strong like Water by Aundi Kolber A different, more expansive way of healing, wholeness, and possibly – especially – strength is possible. We were made to be strong like water.
- Boundaries with In-laws podcast
- Recommended resources from Focus on the Family
- Healthy Cell Phone boundaries
- Boundaries books
- Boundaries and Self worth podcast
- Boundaries: Hendry Cloud and John Townsend
- Boundaries Workbook: When to say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud
Boundaries workbook provides practical wisdom for setting boundaries in a highly connected digital age.
- Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: Peter Scazzero
- Dangerous Calling: Paul David Trip
- 5 Reasons Pastor’s Fail Morally: Carey Nieuwhof
- Pastor burnout article from Christianity Today
- Full Strength Network (Counseling Scholarship Resource)
- Trauma in America by Barna Group
A Guidebook to help church leaders minister to those who are hurting.
- Fool Proofing Your Life by Jan Silvious
- The Bible Project
- Secrets of the Vine by Bruce Wilkinson
Exploration of John 15
- Daring to Draw Near: People in Prayer by John White
- Boundaries (Cloud and Townsend)
- Boundaries in marriage (Townsend)
- Boundaries with kids (Townsend)
- Daring Greatly (Brene brown)
- Codependent no more (Melonie Beatle)
- How to find peace in the midst of uncertainty open letter from our Director
- You Tube Videos with helpful tips during this time
- Tips for dealing with uncertain times
- An unusual way but helpful way to cope article
- When you’re nervous about COVID article
- Business tips and links
- Specific tips on different areas of your life
- Addictive behaviors during stressful times and what you can do (ZOOM recording)
- Helping kids handle loss and disappointment (from Focus on the Family)
- ZOOM Interview with a adoptive, working mother of 5 to talk about real ways moms can handle this time
- Radio interview on the Todd Huff Show discussing how to manage stress during COVID and in life
- Business Owners, including our Director, talk about how to thrive during COVID
- Building Organizational Resilience for Leaders
- Care to Change Youtube channel with several recordings with tips on different topics
- The Connected Child by Drs. Karyn Purvis and David Cross
- Creating Trauma-Informed Classrooms BY CASEY CALL, PH.D., KARYN PURVIS,
PH.D., SHERI R. PARRIS, PH.D., &DAVID CROSS, PH.D. - Dealing With Difficult Behavior
- Practical Solutions for Positive Change
- Breaking Free from Abusive relationships podcast
- What Women Wished Pastors Knew: Understanding the Hopes, Hurts, Needs, and Dreams of Women in the Church by Denise George; Zondervan.
- Refuge from Abuse: Healing and Hope for Abused Christian Women by Nancy Nason-Clark and Catherine Clark Kroeger; InterVarsity Press.
- Domestic Violence: What Every Pastor Needs to Know by Al Miles; Fortress Press.
- Violence in Families: What Every Christian Needs to Know by Al Miles; Fortress Press.
- The Emotionally Destructive Relationship: Seeing it! Stopping it! Surviving it! by Leslie Vernick; Harvest House.
- When “I Do” Becomes “I Don’t” by Laura Petherbridge; David C. Cook.
- A Dangerous Marriage: Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence by S. R. McDill and Linda McDill; Spire
- Keeping the Faith: Guidance for Christian Women Facing Abuse by Marie Fortune; Harper, San Francisco.
- He Promised He’d Stop: Helping Women Find Safe Passage from Abusive Relationships by Michael Groetsch; Crisis Prevention Inst. Inc.
- Ending Violence in Teen Dating Relationships by Al Miles; Augsburg Fortress Publishers.
- Messy Beautiful Friendships by Christine Hoover
Finding and Nurturing Deep and Lasting Relationships
- Griefshare group – griefshare.org This organization provides materials to help churches facilitate grief recovery support meetings, and assists individuals in connecting with these local groups.
- Endurance.org
- Grief and Loss Podcast
- Living with Healthy Grief
- The Grief of Infertility
- Experiencing Grief by H. Norman Wright
Sooner or later, we all face grief. Wright guides you through five essential stages: shock, rage, despair, release, and peace - Grieving a Suicide: A Loved One’s Search for Comfort, Answers and Hope by Albert Y. Hsu
“After his father’s death, Hsu wrestled with intense emotional and theological questions surrounding suicide. While acknowledging that there are no easy answers, he draws on the resources of the Christian faith to point suicide survivors to the God who offers comfort in our grief and hope for the future.” - Parenting in the Midst of Tragedy by Glenn Lutjens
When trauma strikes a family, children may especially feel their life has been turned upside down. Circumstances may require change. But giving thought to how you can maintain familiar patterns—providing security through verbal, emotional, and physical support—can give your child the best opportunity to work through pain and uncertainty. - It’s OK that you’re not OK book by Megan Devine
- I wasn’t ready to say goodbye book Brook Noel and Pamela D. Blair, Ph.D.
- Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep book byTish Harrison Warren
- Rebuilding Your Broken World book by bGordon MacDonald
- Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores book by Diane Langberg
- 5 Key Differences Between Mental Illness and Spiritual Struggle
- Mental Illness & Medication vs. Spiritual Struggles & Biblical Counseling
- How therapy is different from talking with a friend podcast
- Counter Culture: Following Christ in an Anti-Christian Age, by David Platt
- God believes in love by Gene Robinson
- Lead them Home –by Bill Henson
- Is God Anti-Gay? By Sam Allberry
- Preston Sprinkle – Centerforfaith.com Faith, Sexuality, Gender
- Counter Culture by David Platt
- God, the Gospel, and the Gay Challenge — A Response to Matthew Vines
- Messy Grace, by Caleb Kaltenbach
- Focus on the Family
- His Needs Her Needs, Harley, W. (1986).
- Prepare-Enrich
- 9 Lies that Will Destroy Your Marriage and the Truth That Will Set Them Free (Smalley and Paul)
- Hope Restored
- From Anger to Intimacy:How Forgiveness Can Transform Your Marriage Cunningham, Ted.,Smalley, Gary.
- Keep Your Love On
- Reconnected
- The Five Love Languages: Gary Chapman
- Boundaries: Henry Cloud & John Townsend
- Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage: Mark Gungor (DVD)
- Unwanted, by Jay Stringer
- Intimate Deception by Sheri Coffer
- The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M Gottman
- Created for Connection: The “Hold Me Tight” Guide for Christian Couples by Dr. Sue Johnson
- The Emotionally Destructive Marriage: How to Find Your Voice and Reclaim Your Hope by Leslie Vernick
- The Enneagram for Christian Couples by Dani Cooper
- A Guide to Understanding Your Personality Types and Deepening Your Relationship
- The Power of a Praying Husband by Stormie Omartian
- The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian
- Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
- What if God Designed Marriage To Make Us Holy More Than to Make us Happy?
- The Art of Marriage – Getting to the Heart of God’s Design by Family Life
- The Divorce Remedy by Michele Weiner Davis
- Safe People: How to Find Relationships that are Good for you and Avoid those that Aren’t by Dr. Henry Cloud
- What Makes Love Last? By John Gottman
- How to build trust and avoid betrayal by John Gottman
- You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity by Francis Chan & Lisa Chan
- The Love Prescription by John and Julie Gottman
- 7 Days to More intimacy, connection, and joy
Previous relevant podcasts:
Care to Change’s director, April Bordeau, and therapist Jean Crane, talk with Josh Hershberger with the Indiana Family Institute, on how to impact the mental health crisis. You can also find it on YouTube.
- Play the man; Becoming the Man God Created you to Be by Mark Batterson
A book that is an inspiring call to something greater, helping men understand what it means to be a man of God and unveiling seven virtues of manhood. - Wild at heart by John Eldridge
Unpacking a man’s search for validation, the need for the development of courage in his soul, and the call to live a life of adventure. - Captivating; Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul by John and Staci Eldridge
- Changing to Thrive; Using the stages of Change to Overcome the Top Threats to Your Health and Happiness by James Prochaska
- Sermon series by Aaron Brockett Killing What’s Killing You Youtube
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
Aimed to reshape the way you think about progress and success, and give you the tools and strategies you need to transform your habits - Spiritual Practices for the Brain by Anne Kertz Kernion
Habits that benefit the whole person - Feeling Great by David Burns
A tool to crush negative thoughts - Welcome to the Jungle Bipolar Disorder by Hilary Smith
An honest relatable book that can help you figure out how to live your life with bipolar disorder
- Loving someone with Bipolar; Understanding and Helping Your Partner by Julie Fast
- Let your Life Speak by Parker Palmer
Listening for the voice of vocation - Undistracted by Bob Goff
- The Ruthless Elimination for Hurry by John mark Comer
A roadmap to staying emotionally healthy and spiritually alive in the chaos of the modern world. - The Best Yes: Making Wise Decisions in the Midst of Endless Demands by Lysa Terkeurst
- Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown
- Winning the War in Your Mind Youtube
- Gentle and Lowly Book and Study Guide by Dane Ortlund
A book that dives deep into Bible passages to learn the depths of Christ’s heart for sinners. - The Purpose Driven Life Journal by Rick Warren
- Shattered Dreams by Larry Crabb
Using the story of Naomi the author sheds light on how shattered dreams can prepare us for joy. - Stress Fractures by Charles R. Swindoll
Advice and encouragement for handling fast-paced life
Employees’ Mental. Health Really Is Your Business by Katie Loehrke
What business leaders can do about mental health – Forbes article
Mental Health and the Workplace: How Employers Can Help by Jeff Dobro, MD
- Jesus CEO by Laurie Beth Jones
- The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life
- Stop Setting Goals if You Would Rather Solve Problems by Bobb Biehl
- Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
- High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become that Way by Brendon Burchard
Resources:
- Boundaries in Marriage
- Bringing Up Boys
- Bringing Up Girls
- The Adventure Challenge
- Connected Child
- Parenting From The Inside Out
- Parenting With Words of Grace
- Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family: Paul David Tripp
- Understanding Your Teen: Shaping Their Character, Facing Their Realities: Jim Burns
- The 5 Love Languages of Teenagers: The Secret to Loving Teens Effectively: Gary Chapman
- Parenting Beyond Your Capacity: Connect Your Family to a Wider Community: Reggie Joiner & Carey Nieuwhof
- The Lifegiving Parent: Giving Your Child a Life Worth Living for Christ: Sally Clarkson & Clay Clarkson
- Doing Life With Your Adult Children: Keep Your Mouth Shut and Your Doormat Out: Jim Burns
- Hurt 2.0: Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers (Youth, Family, and Culture): Chap Clark
- Bringing up Boys: James C. Dobson
- Shepherding a Child’s Heart: Tedd Tripp
- Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens: Paul David Tripp
- Boundaries with Teens: When to Say Yes, How to Say No: John Townsend
- Parenting Teens with Love & Logic: Preparing Adolescents for Responsible Adulthood: Foster Cline & Jim Fay
- Intentional Parenting: 10 Ways to Be an Exceptional Parent in a Quick-Fix World: Doug & Cathy Fields
- Risen Motherhood Podcast
- The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell
- Good Pictures Bad Pictures by Kristen A Jenson M.A.
- Porn Proofing Today’s Young Kids
- Power of the Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian
- Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys by Dan Kindlon PH.D and Michael Thompson PH.D
- The Connected Parent by Karyn Purvis
- Real Life Strategies for Building Trust and Attachment
- Tough Guys Have Feelings too by Keith Negley
- The Whole Brainchild by Daniel J Siegel M.D.
- 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture your Child’s Developing Mind
- How Am I Smart? A Parent’s Guide to Multiple Intelligences by Dr. Kathy Koch
- 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony Reinke and John Piper
- Raising Kids in a Social Media Crazed World
- Achieving True Success: How to Build Character as a Family by Intl Association of Character Cities
- The Whole and Healthy Family by Jodi MockaBee
- Helping your Kids Thrive in Mind, Body, and Spirit
- The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown
- A Perfectionist’s Guide to Not Being Perfect by Bonnie Zucker
- The Tech Wise Family by Andy Crouch
- Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in its Proper Place
- The Highly Sensitive Child by Elaine N. Aron, PhD
- The Bullying Breakthrough: Real Help for Parents and Teachers of the Bullied, Bystanders, and Bullies by Jonathan McKee
- Brooks Place A non-profit organization for teens, children, and young adults providing support groups for grief.
- Altogether You: Experiencing personal and spiritual transformation with Internal Family Systems Therapy by Jenna Riemersma, LPC
- Your Dieting Daughter by Carolyn Costin
- Antidotes Parents Can Provide for Body Dissatisfaction, Excessive Dieting, and Disordered Eating
- Understanding the Highly Sensitive Child: Seeing the World Through their Eyes by James Williams
- Supporting the Highly Sensitive Child: Making Sense of Meltdowns by James Williams
- Love and Respect in the Family by Dr. Emerson Eggerrichs
- No More Perfect Kids by Jill Savage and Kathy Koch PhD
- Love Your Kids for Who They Are
- Habits of The Household by Justin Whitmel Earley
- Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms
- Captain Snout and the Super Power Questions by Daniel Amen
- How to Calm Anxiety and Conquer Automatic Negative Thoughts
Podcasts:
- When You Don’t Feel Joy But Feel Like You Should
- When To Get Help For Your Kids and What The Bible Says
- The Difference Between Coping and Healing
- Correcting Unacceptable Behavior
- Mental Health and Busy Moms
- When Kids Seem to be Ruining Your Relationship
- Connecting with Your KidsParenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family: Paul David Tripp
- Porn and Addictive behavior in marriage podcast
- What does porn have to do with my mental health? podcast
- www.purelifeministries.org
- Sexual Temptation: How Christian workers can win the battle; by Randy Alcorn (1988).
- Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage: DVD by Mark Gungor
- Christian Counseling Today Magazine Vol. 22, No. 1. Re: Pornography & Sexual Addiction.
- Every Man’s Battle book by Stephen Afterburn & Stoeker, F. (2009)
- Finally Free; Fighting for Purity with the Power of Grace; book by Heath Lambert
- When Your Husband is Addicted to Porn; Healing Your Wounded Heart; book by Vicki Tiede
- Reclaiming Surrendered Ground; Protecting Your Family from Spiritual Attacks, book by Jim Logan (2016)
- RAPHAHOUSE – Trafficking & Exploitation
- Free to Live: Eldridge, John
- Sexual Sanity for Women –a 14 week study: Dykas, Ellen (editor)
- Young Man’s Guide to Awesomeness: Johnson, Barrett
- Out of the Shadows: Carnes, Patrick
- 5 Tips to Break Free from Porn Addiction by Keith Rose (article)
- Covenant Eyes by Bob Sorge
A grace empowered tool that has the potential to help you gain victory over lust like nothing else you’ve ever considered. - Protecting Your Children from Internet Pornography: Understanding the Science, Risks, and Ways to Protect Your Kids by John D. Foubert
This book exposes the many ways that pornography menaces people, relationships, and society – especially – our children. - Every mans battle by Stephen Arterburn, Fred Stoeker
This book offers a practical, biblical plan to help you experience victory and wholeness in the world of sexual temptation.
- Being the Church regarding racial reconciliation – Bethebridge.com
- Forging a path to racial reconciliation
- A Christian’s response to racial tension
- How to talk with your kids about racial differences
- Pluggedin.com & Joshshipp.com
- Hickem, C. (2012)“Unfriended: Parenting in a Social Media World”
- American Academy of Pediatrics: “Clinical Report –The Impact of Social Media on Children, Adolescents, and Families(March, 2017).
- Parenting Techies–available
- How to Help Your Kids Find Fun Outside of Technology podcast
- Connecting with Kids in this age of technology podcast
- Axis Culture Translator
- Screens & Teens: Connecting with Our Kids in a Wireless World: Kathy Koch
- The Yellow Couch Collective, an online support group for Black women
- Black Mental Health Alliance
- The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association, a nonprofit dedicated to the mental health and well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
- WeRNative, which provides Native American youth with tools for holistic health and growth, including mental health resources.•Nina Pop Mental Health Recovery Fund and
- Therapy for Latinx
- Focus on the Family–“Truth from the Bible for cutters: When feelings for self-harm are strong” online article for parenting techniques
- Alive to Thrive – early self-harm & suicide prevention skills, online tools & videos
- Inside a Cutter’s Mind: Understanding and Helping Those Who Self-Injure: Clark, J. & Henslin, E. (2007). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
- Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
- The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron
An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery
- A Place of Quiet Rest: Finding Intimacy with God by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Daily Devotional
9 Ways to Protect your kids from sexual abuse
God Made All of Me Children’s book God Made All of Me by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb is an invaluable resource and beautifully illustrated story to help families talk about sensitive issues with two- to eight-year-old children. Because the private parts of our bodies are private, home is the ideal environment for a child to learn
Every Day Actions to Keep Kids safe
Caring for Sexually Abused Children: A Handbook for Churches and Families (book) Dealing with the sexual abuse of a child is painful and difficult. When it happens to children within our church families, we all are affected and wonder how to respond.
- What help should we seek?
- What support can we offer?
- What healing is possible?
- What can we do to prevent abuse in the future?
In this warm and hopeful book, R. Timothy Kearney shows how healing, justice, forgiveness, restoration and protection can come through God’s people in the Christian community.
My Friend Is Struggling With Past Sexual Abuse (book) Through the aid of a heart breaking true-to-life story, Josh and Ed, offer biblical insights and practical instruction on what your friends can do to resolve past sexual abuse in their lives.
When a Man You Love Was Abused (book) The numbers of males abused in childhood are sometimes listed as low as 5 percent or as high as 33 percent. Though statistics are controversial, no one disputes the fact that childhood abuse is a continuing problem–or that such abuse can have devastating effects on future relationships. For all women who know and love a survivor of sexual assault, best-selling author Cecil Murphey has penned an honest and forthright book about surviving–and thriving–despite past abuses.
Not Quite Healed by Cecil Murphey and Gary Roe
“40 Truths for Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse”
When a Woman You Loved Was Abused (book) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 80 percent of childhood abuse victims later suffer from at least one abuse-induced psychological disorder. It’s proven that the effects of childhood abuse follow women into adulthood. Yet few men are prepared to deal with those effects, even when their own wife is the one who is suffering. Offering hope for a healthy marriage relationship, When a Woman You Love Was Abused answers the questions men have and offers the advice they need to help their wives finally find peace.
Beyond Our Control by Leila Rae Sommerfield
“Reconstructing Your Life After Sexual Assault”
Breathe by Nicole Braddock Bromley
“Finding Freedom to Thrive in Relationships After Childhood Sexual Abuse”
Caring for Sexually Abused Children: A Handbook for Families & Churches by R. Timothy Kearney
Parental support is a crucial factor in a child’s successful recovery following sexual abuse. But supportive adults in the Church also play an important role. Learn a practical, proactive approach to recognizing and responding to this heartrending hurt.
Changes That Heal by Dr. Henry Cloud
Discover four important steps to break free from a difficult past, learn to experience true healing, and find renewed strength to move forward in life.
Complete Guide to Baby & Child Care: From Pre-Birth Through the Teen Years
Learn to meet children’s specific needs and create an environment where they can thrive. In addition to basic information on child-rearing, chapters also address physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.
Door of Hope: Recognizing & Resolving the Pains of Your Past by Jan Frank
As a victim of incest, Frank understands the emotions with which abuse victims struggle. Learn the symptoms and negative traits of abuse, and how to establish a healthy self-image and a right relationship with God and others.
Hush by Nicole Braddock Bromley
“Moving From Silence to Healing After Childhood Sexual Abuse”
Mending the Soul: Understanding & Healing Abuse by Steven R. Tracy
Tracy discusses the effects of physical, verbal, sexual, and spiritual abuse—as well as strategies for prevention and recovery.
My Friend Is Struggling With Past Sexual Abuse by Josh McDowell and Ed Stewart
Directed to teens, this resource provides biblical wisdom and practical advice about finding help and working toward healing—whether they have suffered sexual abuse directly or are friends with someone who has.
On the Threshold of Hope by Diane Mandt Langberg, Ph.D.
“Opening the Door to Healing for Survivors of Sexual Abuse”
The Wounded Heart by Dan Allender, Ph.D.
“Hope for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse”
God’s Hope for Wounded Hearts (Dan Allender, Ph.D.)
Even in the Christian community, we often avoid discussing topics that cast doubt on God’s faithfulness and care—but doing so can make sexual abuse difficult to acknowledge. Allender shares from his own past to encourage others to bring their wounded souls to the Lord for healing, and to learn how to share their hearts with others.
Healing the Wounds of Childhood Sexual Abuse (Lisa Harper)
Harper was abused as a young child. Despite having a successful ministry when she reached adulthood, she unconsciously continued to live with the shame of her history. But through Christian counseling, a deep trust in the Lord, and forgiving those who harmed her, she experienced true healing.
Mending the Soul by Steven Tracy
The Sexual Healing Journey by Wendy MaltzThis book provides a well-researched biblical and scientific overview of abuse. A broad overview, it deals with the various types of abuse, the various effects of abuse, and the means of healing. Abuse can be sexual, physical, neglect, spiritual, and verbal.
- Identify the sexual effects of sexual abuse
- Eliminate negative sexual behavior and resolve specific problems
- Gain control over upsetting automatic reactions to touch and sex
- Develop a healthy sexual self-concept
The Wounded Heart: Hope for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse by Dan Allender Thirty years ago, with great courage and vision, Dan Allender brought Christians to the table to acknowledge, understand, and help victims heal from their experience of the evil of sexual abuse. His work continues to help victims and those who love them to honestly acknowledge their abuse, understand the unique challenge of repentance for victims of abuse, and learn to love boldly in defiance of their trauma. Ultimately Dan offers the bold assurance to sexual abuse victims that even they can find their way to joy and hope in the comforting embrace of a good God.
Alive to Thrive: A Biblical Guide to Preventing Teen Suicide – This program explores the social, psychological, and spiritual aspects of suicide. It’s written by Christian clinical experts and is designed to help parents, youth workers, ministry leaders, and teachers understand how suicide is a profoundly spiritual issue.
Alive to Thrive also features videos of church workers, healthcare providers, and young people discussing their own struggles with suicidal thoughts and how the Bible provides clarity and comfort in a turbulent and confusing world.
E-book: Alive to Thrive: A Biblical Guide to Preventing Teen Suicide
- A Relentless Hope: Surviving the Storm of Teen Depression by Gary Nelson
Nelson offers compassionate, practical help for questions and concerns related to teen depression. The book “is written for teens, parents, teachers, pastors, and any who walk with the afflicted through this valley of the shadow of death.” - It’s Okay to Cry: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children Through the Losses of Life by H. Norman Wright
When a child experiences loss, whether it be small (a broken toy) or traumatic (the death of a friend or family member), they need to know it’s okay to cry. Wright’s advice equips you to assist those you love grieve and heal. Standing in the Shadow: Help and Encouragement for Suicide Survivors by June Cerza Kolf
Find gentle understanding and scriptural truth as you work through issues such as forgiveness, depression, guilt, anger, mourning, and acceptance.Too Soon to Say Goodbye: Healing and Hope for Victims and Survivors of Suicide by Susan Titus Osborn, Karen Kosman, and Jeenie Gordon
Whether you’ve lost a loved one to suicide or have thought about taking your own life, there’s hope to overcome the darkness.When Your Family’s Lost a Loved One: Finding Hope Together by David Guthrie and Nancy Guthrie
When your family’s lost a loved one, reminders are everywhere—a silent crib, an unused pillow … There’s no avoiding the pain, and each family member will grieve in their own way. But it is possible to find hope, joy, and unity again. Sharing from their personal journey through loss, the Guthries offer practical, compassionate help.- Parenting in the Midst of Tragedy
- Understanding and Coping With Trauma
- Dealing With Death
- Helping Bereaved Parents
- Question Persuade Respond – all about suicide prevention
- To be trained in suicide prevention or QPR, contact our Director, April Bordeau, who is a master QPR instructor
- Know the Warning Signs and Risk Factors of Suicide
- Being Prepared for a Crisis
- Read NAMI’s guide, “Navigating a Mental Health Crisis”
- What You Need to Know About Youth Suicide
- If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 immediately.
- If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.
- You can also text 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line.
- Resources for Educators, Communities and Parents
- Truth for Teachers Podcast
- Crisis Mindfulness
- Sanity Breaks
- Questions about Self-Care
Books
- Brain Gym: Teacher’s Edition, by Paul Dennison
- The Connected Child, by Dr. Karyn Purvis
- The Whole-Brain Childby Daniel Siegel
- The Out of Sync Childby Carol Kranowitz
- Books by Cindy Lee
Helpful videos
- Whatis TBRI?
- Institute of Child Development
- Brain Highways Proprioception Video
- Mr. White Handshake Video
- Why Do We Lose Control of Our Emotions youtube video
Articles
- What Survival Looks Like In Elementary School
- What Survival Looks LikeIn Secondary School
- What Survival Looks Like AtHome
- Creating Trauma- Informed Classrooms, by Casey Call,Karyn Purvis, Sheri Parris, & David Cross
- Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI):A Systemic Approach to Complex Developmental Trauma, by Karyn Purvis, David Cross, Donald Dansereau, & Sheri Parris
Activities:
- The Body Keeps the Score This book by Dr. VanDer Kolk . . . has written a fascinating and empowering book about trauma and its effects. He uses modern neuroscience to demonstrate that trauma physically affects the brain and the body, causing anxiety, rage, and the inability to concentrate. Victims have problems remembering, trusting, and forming relationships. They have lost control. Although news reports and discussions tend to focus on war veterans, abused children, domestic violence victims, and victims of violent crime suffer as well. Using a combination of traditional therapy techniques and alternative treatments such as EMDR, yoga, neurofeedback, and theater, patients can regain control of their bodies and rewire their brains so that they can rebuild their lives. The author uses case histories to demonstrate the process. He includes a resource list, bibliography, and extensive notes. This accessible book offers hope and inspiration to those who suffer from trauma and those who care for them. It is an outstanding addition to all library collections.
- The Deepest Well This powerful work book brilliantly exposes and explores one of the most critical health issues we face today. Dr. Burke-Harris combines a scientist’s rigor with a compassionate doctor’s heart to paint an unforgettable picture of what is at the center of what ails so many of our communities. Anyone who cares about people who sometimes struggle should read this book.
- The Anatomy of the Soul Do you want to improve your relationships and experience lasting personal change? Join Curt Thompson, M.D., on an amazing journey to discover the surprising pathways for transformation hidden inside your own mind. Integrating new findings in neuroscience and attachment with Christian spirituality, Dr. Thompson reveals how it is possible to rewire your mind, altering your brain patterns and literally making you more like the person God intended you to be. Explaining discoveries about the brain in layman’s terms, he shows how you can be mentally transformed through spiritual practices, interaction with Scripture, and connections with other people. He also provides practical exercises to help you experience healing in areas where you’ve been struggling. Insightful and challenging, Anatomy of the Soul illustrates how learning about one of God’s most miraculous creations―your brain―can enrich your life, your relationships, and your impact on the world around you.
- The Soul of Shame Whether we realize it or not, shame affects every aspect of our personal lives and vocational endeavors. It seeks to destroy our identity in Christ, replacing it with a damaged version of ourselves that results in unhealed pain and brokenness. But God is telling a different story for your life.
Psychiatrist Curt Thompson unpacks the soul of shame, revealing its ubiquitous nature and neurobiological roots. He also provides the theological and practical tools necessary to dismantle shame, based on years of researching its damaging effects and counseling people to overcome those wounds.
Thompson’s expertise and compassion will help you identify your own pains and struggles and find freedom from the lifelong negative messages that bind you. Rewrite the story of your life and embrace healing and wholeness as you discover and defeat shame’s insidious agenda.
- Try Softer In a world that preaches a “try harder” gospel―just keep going, keep hustling, keep pretending we’re all fine―we’re left exhausted, overwhelmed, and so numb to our lives. If we’re honest, we’ve been overfunctioning for so long, we can’t even imagine another way. How else will things get done? How else will we survive?
It doesn’t have to be this way.
Aundi Kolber believes that we don’t have to white-knuckle our way through life. In her debut book, Try Softer, she’ll show us how God specifically designed our bodies and minds to work together to process our stories and work through obstacles. Through the latest psychology, practical clinical exercises, and her own personal story, Aundi equips and empowers us to connect us to our truest self and truly live. This is the “try softer” life.
In Try Softer, you’ll learn how to:- Know and set emotional and relational boundaries
- Make sense of the difficult experiences you’ve had
- Identify your attachment style―and how that affects your relationships today
- Move through emotions rather than get stuck by them
- Grow in self-compassion and talk back to your inner critic
Trying softer is sacred work. And while it won’t be perfect or easy, it will be worth it. Because this is what we were made for: a living, breathing, moving, feeling, connected, beautifully incarnational life.
- The Connected Child, by Dr. Karyn Purvis The Connected Child is the literary equivalent of an airline oxygen mask and instructions: place the mask over your own face first, then over the nose of your child. This book first assists the parent, saying, in effect, ‘Calm down, you’re not the first mom or dad in the world to face this hurdle, breathe deeply, then follow these simple steps.’ The sense of not facing these issues alone–the relief that your child’s behavior is not off the charts–is hugely comforting.
- The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel Siegel n this pioneering, practical book, Daniel J. Siegel, neuropsychiatrist and author of the bestselling Mindsight, and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson offer a revolutionary approach to child rearing with twelve key strategies that foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children. The authors explain—and make accessible—the new science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures. The “upstairs brain,” which makes decisions and balances emotions, is under construction until the mid-twenties. And especially in young children, the right brain and its emotions tend to rule over the logic of the left brain. No wonder kids throw tantrums, fight, or sulk in silence. By applying these discoveries to everyday parenting, you can turn any outburst, argument, or fear into a chance to integrate your child’s brain and foster vital growth.
Complete with age-appropriate strategies for dealing with day-to-day struggles and illustrations that will help you explain these concepts to your child, The Whole-Brain Child shows you how to cultivate healthy emotional and intellectual development so that your children can lead balanced, meaningful, and connected lives.
- Why Do We Lose Control of Our Emotions youtube video
- What happened to you? by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce Perry
- Truth Initiative Website
- “What Parents and Youth Should Know about Vaping” by Wyatt Ciesielka, Living Church of God (November 2018
- Nicotine, adolescence, & stress: A review of how stress can modulate the negative consequences of adolescent nicotine abuse: Holliday, E. & Gould, T. J. (2016). Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 65,173-184. (Free academic article)
- “Yoga: Fight Stress and find serenity” Mayoclinic.com
- The Body Keeps Score: Besser van der Kolk
- Stretching Your Faith: Michelle Thielen
- Overcoming Trauma through Yoga: Reclaiming Your Body by David Emerson & Elizabeth Hopper
- Yoga for Your Mental Health by Heather Mason & Kelly Birch