SPIRITUAL DIRECTION
WITH SURVIVORS OF
SEXUAL TRAUMA
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Did you know that one out of three women and one out of six men in the world will experience some form of sexual trauma in their lifetime?
Today, more survivors are stepping out and sharing their stories with family members, friends, clergy, or even you, as their spiritual director. Most people struggle with how to listen and deal with this sensitive topic.
You will learn practical information and tools on how to accompany a survivor of sexual trauma in spiritual direction. Topics include:
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Manifestations of sexual trauma.
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What to say and do and what not to say and do.
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Cultural differences.
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Open-ended questions for exploring.
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Some spiritual practices that heal.
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Self-care for the director, bracketing, and supervision.
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Knowing when to refer.
Anne is a trained and experienced spiritual director, supervisor and a survivor who speaks from the heart about the transformation and healing that can occur for survivors of trauma. Readers will find her work professional, deep and practical, and gain understanding of the issues that will most likely show up in a direction session, such as shame, trust, and unhealthy images of God.
Cindy Mueller, MAHCM, Retired Coordinator, Art of Spiritual Direction Program Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, California.
As a survivor of sexual trauma, I am forever changed walking with Anne as my spiritual director. Having a compassionate, empathetic, and listening ear has gently guided me to a deeper relationship with God.
Julie Herborn, survivor of sexual trauma.
Not Alone
Transforming Trauma and
Accompanying Survivors
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Trauma can create an emotional wound that robs one of living more of the abundant life: love, joy, peace, courage, and internal freedom. If you or someone you love has experienced trauma, there is hope. You are not alone.
This book is divided into two parts. In Part One, Anne shares her story along with true stories of other survivors with whom she has journeyed. Biblical stories that demonstrate God’s extravagant love are woven throughout the book. Various spiritual practices, which allow the slow, healing transformation of God, are included at the end of each chapter.
Part Two is written for priests, pastors, ministry leaders, family and friends who want to come alongside trauma survivors. With reports of abuse all over the news, more people are sharing their traumatic stories. Many have shared the hurtful things people have said and done, which unintentionally can deepen the pain. Anne gives insightful and practical tips for those who accompany trauma survivors on their healing journey.
Now on Sale! Kindle $4.99 Paperback $10.99
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Not Alone
A Christ-centered recovery process for women who
have experienced physical, emotional or sexual trauma
As a spiritual director and leader of Not Alone groups, I have journeyed with many women who desire healing and deeper relationships with God. Sadly, many women tell me they know in their heads that God loves them but deep down, they don’t really believe it in their hearts. This is especially true for those who have experienced trauma. However, I have witnessed women transform into the beautiful women God created them to be. Know that there is hope for you as well.
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The Not Alone process will help you:
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Know more fully in your heart and soul that you are deeply loved by God.
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Understand how trauma has affected your relationship with God and yourself, which affects your relationship with others.
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Gain insight into the manifestations of trauma such as: trust issues, shame, overreacting in anger, fear, worry, anxiety, addictions and broken relationships.
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Gain wisdom from Biblical stories and testimonies from survivors of trauma.
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Learn various spiritual practices and prayers that allow God’s healing transformation.
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Not Alone is now available from Amazon here.
Now on Sale! Paperback Workbook $14.99
Experiencing God's Love Through Israel
A Pictorial Devotional
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This book takes you on a unique journey through Israel with 60 days of Anne's personal photos and spiritual practices that encourage you to draw closer to God. Through heartwarming stories and engaging narrative, Anne lays out a beautifully convincing case of how lavishly God loves each one of us, personally. Woven through each devotion are spiritual practices that help you cultivate an intimate relationship with the Divine; one free of shame and full of hope.
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Available in Color Paperback, Black & White Paperback, and Kindle Editions from Amazon
Book Reviews
Not Alone: Transforming Trauma and Accompanying Survivors
“As the program manager for the Art of Spiritual Direction, a formation program for spiritual directors, sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange and Loyola Marymount University in L.A., I read a lot of books on topics of spirituality and companioning others on their spiritual journey. It is not that often that I finish a book and think, “Wow, other spiritual directors really need to read this”! This has been my experience with Anne Richardson’s, Not Alone: Transforming Trauma and Accompanying Survivors (2020).
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Anne is a trained and experienced spiritual director, supervisor and also a survivor who speaks from the heart about the transformation and healing that can occur for survivors of trauma. Readers will find her work both personal and professional, through the stories and the wisdom of science and life experience woven throughout. Both deep and practical, one will gain an understanding of the issues that will most likely show up in a direction session, such as shame, trust, and unhealthy images of God. Practically, she equips both director and directee with a “toolkit” which includes scripture, questions for reflection, exercises and suggested spiritual practices such as Visio Divina.
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This important work has made it onto the Recommended Reading list for our students, it is that good! In addition, we have added this important topic to our three-year curriculum and have invited Ms. Richardson to present a session for our third year students on how to artfully and skillfully companion survivors of trauma, ensuring that they are “not alone”.
Cindy Mueller, MAHCM
Program Coordinator, Art of Spiritual Direction Program
Center for Spiritual Development
Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange
434 A South Batavia Street, Orange, CA 92868-3998
T: (714) 744-3158
The Southern Cross
THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO
Vol. 108 No. 8 August 2019
