Nonfiction
LOVING YOUR TEENAGE DAUGHTER (WHETHER SHE LIKES IT OR NOT)
Provides real-world new solutions to this age-old problem. In a refreshingly candid style, therapist, child behavior expert, and mother Debra Whiting Alexander offers frank advice and specific strategies that moms can use to handle conflicts and power struggles, bolster their daughter’s self-esteem, and cope with all the major and minor problems they might possibly face—from skipping school, to eating disorders and date rape. Drawing on comprehensive interviews with mothers and adolescent daughters from a wide variety of backgrounds, Alexander offers readers an eye-opening look at how other moms and daughters view the hot-button issues that make open communication so difficult. Throughout the book, the voices of teens offer moms an insider’s perspective on how they can bridge the generation gap and see situations from their daughter’s point of view.
PRAISE for Loving Your Teenage Daughter (Whether She Likes It Or Not)
“Expect smiles and tears as Alexander addresses the constant stream of beginnings and endings in the stages of growth as a mother/daughter team. She is a warm and empathetic mother, mentor, and friend, but she also provides practical survival help—a road map with guideposts, warning signs, and rest areas to relax and revive.”
–Carol John, R.N.,
Chairperson, Nurse Practicioners Of Oregon and Marriage and Family Therapist
“Debra Whiting Alexander is clearly in touch with what it means to parent a teenage girl in today’s world. She offers excellent strategies that promote healthy emotional maturation for teenage girls and their mothers. This book is immediately engaging, insightful, practical, and humorous! I enthusiastically recommend it to mothers, fathers, school psychologists, counselors, and anyone working with adolescent girls and their families.”
–Barbara A. Gueldner, M.S.E.,
Nationally Certified School Psychologist
“As a therapist who works with adolescent girls and their families every day, and as the mother of two teenage daughters, I have to say this is the best book I have read on this subject. It is full of helpful, concrete suggestions, as well as the real-life experiences, thoughts, and struggles of other mothers and teenage daughters. As I read I was not only informed, but I also felt as if I was not alone on my journey as a mother. I highly recommend this book to all mothers with adolescent daughters.”
–Sharon Brown, M.A.,
Marriage and Family Therapist
“As the mother of two teenage daughters and the caretaker of an online youth ministry for moms and girls, I can speak to the need for a book on parenting that honors mutual respect, boundaries, balance, and maintaining a sense of humor. Loving Your Teenage Daughter meets this need with practical, credible advice on how to sustain connections with our daughters.”
–Celia Straus,
Author Of Prayers On My Pillow
“This book is sure to help mothers navigate the emotional roller coaster of life with a teenage girl. There should be a lot less motion sickness after reading and utilizing this arsenal of humor, understanding, and practical exercises that illuminate the moods and unique challenges every girl faces.”
–Janice Carr,
Production Supervisor Malcolm In The Middle, Fox Network
Children Changed by Trauma: a healing guide
SECOND EDITION
Whether it’s the natural disaster they see on television, the car accident they’ve just been in, or the unforgettable violence they witness in their own schoolyards, growing numbers of children today are changed by trauma. In this timely new book, parents and caregivers are given the tools they need to directly help a traumatized child.
A note from Debra Whiting Alexander
“While trauma has the potential to tear families apart, the recovery process can also bond families together. By helping your children find meaning and strength in times of tragedy, they can gain a new appreciation for life and for those who love them. It is my hope that the information you find in this book will support the individual recovery and healing of your child, as well as strengthen your family relationship in new and meaningful ways.”
–From the Introduction to Children Changed by Trauma
PRAISE for Children Changed by Trauma
“This powerful and useful book comes from an author with years of experience in the field. She boils down complex concepts and jargon-heavy theory into clear and concise methods of working with children who have survived a trauma. Children Changed by Trauma helps us all become more sensitive to traumatized children. Parents, friend, teachers and counselors stand to benefit from its lucidity.”
–Charles R. Figley, PH.D.,
Professor and Director, Florida State University Traumatology Institute
“This book will soothe and inspire the parents of traumatized children. It is full of the kind of intelligent, compassionate, and clearly written advice that truly fosters healing. Dr. Alexander draws on both her professional and personal experiences to illuminate the issues, and the accounts of real-life trauma that she documents make the book particularly valuable. Her practical suggestions are a gold mine and will help children and adults grow strong again and regain humor, peace, and joy.”
–Jennifer J. Freyd,
Professor of Psychology, University of Oregon, And Author of Betrayal Trauma: The Logic Of Forgetting Abuse
“No child should ever have to live with the terror of violence, whatever its source. Debra Alexander offers direction and hope. I urge anyone who has a child that has been subject to trauma to read this book immediately.”
–Claudia Black, PH.D.,
Author of It Will Never Happen To Me
“Children Changed by Trauma is a wonderful book that blends what we know about the effects of trauma with first-hand accounts. I believe the book will help parents and teachers better understand children’s traumatic experiences. There is also much here that will assist adults in learning about their own early experiences with trauma. This is an important and relevant book as we begin to acknowledge how trauma can shape our past and our future.”
–Marlene Wong,
Director of Mental Health Services District Crisis Teams, Los Angeles Unitifed School District
“Children Changed by Trauma offers good, sound advice to childcare practitioners. The book is easy to follow and comprehensive and provides a personal touch with the incorporation of real-life experiences. This is a must read for anyone who works with children in trauma.”
–Krista R. Flannigan, J.D, and Robin F. Finegan M.A.,
Victim Services Consultants, Idaho Springs and Denver, Colorado
“Unfortunately children’s lives today often include exposure to, or involvement in traumatic events. In this practical and user-friendly book, Dr. Alexander offers the parents of these children workable strategies to help their children recover from these traumas. Using the framework of trauma theory as a template, Dr. Alexander gives concrete case examples and interventions that can be explored both immediately and long after an event. Also a valuable resource for therapists, teachers, pastors and others, this book is designed to be used, and use it I will! I urge potential readers to do the same.”
–Mary Beth Williams, PH.D., LCSW,
President, Association Of Traumatic Stress Specialists
The Something Bad Happened series consists of six counseling story books for healing children ages 4-10 who have experienced or witnessed violence or crime. Each story/activity book covers an important theme. Includes a Comprehensive Leader’s Guide.
Something Bad Happened
For children who have had a family member victimized, have witnessed violence themselves, or have suffered as a result of a large scale community or national trauma.
It Happened To Me
For children who have been the direct or primary victim of crime or trauma such as sexual abuse, traumatic accident, fire, car crash, physical assault, etc.
All My Feelings
Provides acceptance and understanding for a child’s full range of emotional reactions and physical sensations following a traumatic event.
I Can’t Remember
Encourages unconditional acceptance for a child’s inability to recall traumatic material.
Don’t Go
Assists in developing nonshaming, nonpunitive responses to separation anxiety and children’s increased need for physical comfort and closeness.
The World I See
Validates the fear and sense of confusion felt by children growing up in violent homes.
NOW AVAILABLE AS A FREE DOWNLOAD to Counselors, Educators, and Parents.
(Strictly limited to personal use by those caring for children and teens impacted by trauma. Not to be sold or distributed in any form without the author’s written permission.)
Download
NOW AVAILABLE AS A FREE DOWNLOAD to Counselors, Educators, and Parents.
(Strictly limited to personal use by those caring for children and teens impacted by trauma. Not to be sold or distributed in any form without the author’s written permission.)
Download
The Way I Feel series was written for use with adolescents, ages 11-17. These six beautifully illustrated books deal with critical themes including direct victimization, secondary victimization (witness to violence), family violence, depression and suicidal thinking, identification of feelings and survivors of homicide. Includes a Comprehensive Leader’s Guide.
The Way I Feel
Normalizes a teen’s inner experiences whether directly or indirectly impacted by crime or trauma. Provides acceptance and understanding for a teen’s full range of emotional and cognitive reactions. Encourages identification and self-expression of painful thoughts and feelings common to trauma survivors.
All My Dreams
Recognizes the impact a traumatic experience has on a teenager’s hopes, dreams, and meanings to life. Provides ideas for rebuilding experiences of safety and comfort in the world.
It’s My Life
Written for teens who have been the direct survivor of a crime or trauma including sexual assault and incest. Symptoms of depression and suicidal thinking are explored.
It Happened in Autum
Focuses on the healing process for survivors of homicide. Explores a family’s response to trauma and grief from a teen’s perspective following the murder of a loved one.
When I Remember
For teens who have witnessed crime, trauma or violence. This story normalizes the secondary victim’s experience which is often as intense as the primary victim’s.
In This House Called Home
Validates the experience felt by teens growing up in a violent home. The ideas of nonviolent forms of expressing anger and the need for family healing are addressed.
Praise for Something Bad Happened and The Way I Feel Series
“As a practicing clinician who works with traumatized children, I have found both series of books to be extremely helpful in stimulating recall and processing emotions. I would definitely recommend them.”
–Mary Beth Williams,
Board Member,International Society For Traumatic Stress Studies
“…represents a compassionate, innovative and interactive way for children to express their feelings and begin to heal. Children using this series will not only find reassurance from the excellent text, but also find new routes of expression in the illustrations and opportunities for drawings of their own…Healing, a renewed sense of safety, growing self-esteem and the reassurance of love are the major themes of the SOMETHING BAD HAPPENED series. These books are a gentle, compassionate and active effort to assist children who are, after all, our future.”
–Charles T. Clegg, M.D.,
Medical Director,College Hospital, Cerritos, California
“I see the series as an excellent tool in helping traumatized children mobilize and validate their feelings associated with trauma.”
–Tom Williams, PSY.D., CTC,
President,International of Trauma Counselors
“This series for teenagers experiencing trauma normalizes feelings, thoughts, and behaviors that feel so abnormal. It gives teens permission to express that which they may have felt needed to be kept secret.”
-Marydale Salston, PH.D.,
Marriage and Family Child Counselor, Post-Traumatic Stress Specialist
NOW AVAILABLE AS A FREE DOWNLOAD to Counselors, Educators, and Parents.
(Strictly limited to personal use by those caring for children and teens impacted by trauma. Not to be sold or distributed in any form without the author’s written permission.)
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From the INTRODUCTION to A Guide for Parents, Educators, and Counselors
Even under the best of circumstances, caring for children is hard work. Whatever their personal or professional background, most adults are not experienced in helping children through times of significant trauma. As a parent, educator, or counselor-or even as a friend-you can use this guide to help you understand where to begin and how to attend to a child’s greatest needs in school, home, or therapeutic settings. While portions of this booklet are written specifically for an educator or parent, all adults can use it. And depending on the roles you hold in the lives of traumatized children, this guide may prove to be both personally and professionally useful.
Trauma can encompass a wide range of life events and situations, and this guide is adaptable to any type of traumatic situation. Whether the trauma is divorce, witnessing violence, an accident, a natural disaster, or an act of terrorism, it’s important for you to know how to recognize and address the wide range of reactions common to children. Regardless of the source of traumatic injury, or how deep the wounds, this booklet will help prepare you for what to expect and offer you helpful ways to support and respond.
The emotional recovery process is not an easy one, but with your guidance and understanding it is possible to help children learn how to counter painful experiences with renewed hope. What children learn now can help them feel better prepared for anything tomorrow may bring.
–Debra Whiting Alexander, Ph.D.
How to Help Children Feel Better About Tomorrow: A Guide for Parents, Educators, and Counselors
This 24-page book contains a wealth of information needed by adults who want to help children recover from a traumatic event, cope with anxiety, and rebuild trust. It covers what to expect when children have had a traumatic experience, helpful ways to respond, when to seek professional help, and guidelines for answering children’s questions, and also includes specific suggestions for classroom use.
What Tomorrow May Bring: A Story/Activity Book for Children about Recovering from Traumatic Events
Using the 9/11 terrorist attacks as a starting point and expanding to a broader outlook, this 32-page book helps children understand that they can recover from traumatic life events. The book includes a story that can be read in whole or in parts depending on the needs of the group it used with, discussion topics, and “what to do” activities for both younger and older children.
I Can Feel Better!: The Top Ten Ways to Help Myself
This take-home resource for children provides techniques they can use to help themselves feel better…and reminds them that it is still okay to have fun. Using the suggestions in this booklet or adding their own ideas, children can take an active role in relieving their anxiety.
NOW AVAILABLE AS A FREE DOWNLOAD to Counselors, Educators, and Parents.
(Strictly limited to personal use by those caring for children and teens impacted by trauma. Not to be sold or distributed in any form without the author’s written permission.)
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The Art of Authentic Friendship: Real Women, Real Challenges, Real Solutions
When Judy Dippel decided to write a book about the challenges of women’s friendships she knew she wanted to integrate a message of hope and faith. But she also wanted a professional counselor’s help to develop effective strategies and solutions to the sometimes difficult or painful experiences between friends. Debra agreed to collaborate with Judy on the The Art of Authentic Friendship; a book that provides both spiritual and psychological strategies to help women enjoy healthy, lasting, and authentic friendships.
