Abstract
Thema Bryant-Davis is both a trauma therapist and a trauma survivor. She wrote this compelling feminist volume to show that the lives of women who have undergone trauma must be recognized as singular, noteworthy, significant, and worthy of attention. Specifically, this volume highlights the cultural context of trauma and the often-unheard voices of diverse survivors. Over the course of this book, Bryant-Davis provides a very personal victim-sensitive account of trauma and recovery that will resonate with her readers. She notes that there is an extensive trauma literature that highlights pathology in marginalized communities but there is little research on accompanying strengths, resources, and resilience in the wake of trauma. This volume covers the hardships of interpersonal trauma victims, cultural categories that influence individuals, the short- and long-term consequences, and a useful compendium of both clinical and alternative therapeutic strategies that foster healing.
As noted by Judith Herman (1997), events become traumatic to us when they overwhelm our resources. This volume is an out-growth of the trauma work of Judith Herman and Mary Harvey at the Harvard Medical Center Victims of Violence Program. The traumas that are documented in this book involve interpersonal trauma or physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional violations that produce fear, powerlessness, hopelessness, or horror. In addition to covering ethnicity, migration status, and religion, the societal traumas of racism and homophobia are also addressed. Victims include not only those with direct personal exposure but also those who are most at risk for experiencing secondary trauma: the poor, those 15–19 years of age, persons of color, and those who live in densely populated urban areas.
There are several unique themes in Bryant-Davis's book. First, she includes the concept of culture. She asserts that there are culturally specific factors that relate to every experience and that therapists must be open to fully exploring the cultural context for traumas. Unfortunately, some trauma theorists ignore culture, which can lead clients to feel a sense of erasure or denial. Other writers conclude that the nature of trauma is universal, so those who suffer from trauma are expected to respond similarly. Bryant-Davis concludes that culture is all too often ignored because it adds complexity and work to identifying how to help clients heal. Second, this is a multicultural guide. According to the author, within each individual there are multiple cultural identities. She chooses seven areas that she discusses in the context of trauma throughout the book: disability, gender, migration status, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. A third unique element is the discussion of thriving or finding one's voice, power, and the healing of one's self esteem. This key strategy allows individuals to reach their “best self” by using their abilities to a high degree.
A final critical component is the author's candor and ability to insert poetry that represents the voices of survivors. Bryant-Davis uses the everyday language of people to reinforce their insight, dignity, and resourcefulness. In this process, she is able to tell the story of those who move very concretely from positions of silence, to victim, to survivor, and finally, thriver.
This volume was written for therapists, survivors, and others who are impacted by or interested in trauma and recovery. After an introduction to the topic, the author examines the topics of safety, self-care, trust, shame and self-blame, memories, mourning of losses, anger, body image, sexuality, coping strategies, and thriving. Using a mixture of outline and narrative, Bryant-Davis defines key terms and asks and answers: What are healthy and unhealthy forms of sexual expression? How might sexual orientation affect one's sense of shame and self-blame? How might gender or migration status affect trust?
Each chapter also outlines specific strategies for healing, such as journaling exercises, arts and crafts, movement, drama, music, nature, social support, spirituality, and activism. Readers might be asked to write a poem about their experiences. An affirmation might be: “My body deserves respect and appreciation.” They might be asked to draw a picture of their anger, to show the shame they feel for their body, or to talk to a person in an empty chair. The more uplifting stages ask the survivor to play and sing a song, look outdoors at the beauty of nature, give a friend a nonsexual compliment, read a spiritual text, or make note of media outlets that encourage positive coping strategies. The volume concludes with a chapter on thriving that offers a variety of healing activities.
Readers will find this book to be comforting, challenging, disturbing, and unique. It contains a wonderful compendium of references interspersed with the author's wisdom attained from her involvement with trauma victims and their cultural context. Bryant-Davis has made a significant and unique contribution to the trauma literature with her multicultural guide on trauma. Her challenge to survivors can be addressed to us all: “May this work help you remember the power of your wings.”