Reclaiming Our Lives: Hope for Adult Survivors of Incest

Sharing one's experience with others is essential to overcoming the legacy of fear, guilt and loss of self-esteem bequeathed to the typical incest victim, according to journalist Poston, once a victim herself, and psychotherapist Lison, who leads incest support groups. Each chapter of this constructive guide begins with an account of some aspect of Poston's abusive experience, followed by a sensitive account of how Lison's patients cope with theirs (denial, as the authors demonstrate, is a common but futile tactic). Discussing symptoms that indicate a need for therapy, Poston and Lison outline 14 healing phases and offer practical hints to foster recovery. Above all, they warn against escape into alcohol, drugs or overwork, and emphasize that healing depends on rebuilding trust in oneself and others. First serial to New Woman; Psychotherapy Book Club selection. (Mar.)