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ASCA Santa Clarita



resources



ASCA Santa Clarita



RESOURCES



ASCA Santa Clarita



RESOURCES



Local resources for Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCA)



the resources below are organized into the following sections:

1. Books

2. Local resources - counselling, domestic violence, shelters, legal assistance etc

3. National resources - hotlines for suicide prevention, sexual assault, etc





bookS FOR HEALING FROM CHILD ABUSE



  1. "Soul Survivors - a new beginning for adults abused as children" by J Patrick Gannon, Phd
    • Dr. Patrick Gannon in conjunction with survivor volunteers developed the ASCA program of self-help healing - "Survivor to Thriver" manual, 21 steps and ASCA support groups.
    • helpful case studies when working through the 21 steps of healing.
    • chapter for friends/lovers/spouses of adult survivors to help understand and offer support during the healing and recovery process of survivors.
    • useful guide to help interview and select a therapist
    • good resolution/forgiveness chapter as it details the issues and process involved in whether to confront your abuser or not. The case studies are useful as it has documentation on the correspondence/processes between the survivors and their abusers.
    • the 2nd Edition (eBook) is much more comprehensive – with updated information on trauma treatments https://www.amazon.com/SOUL-SURVIVORS- Beginning-Adults-Children-ebook/dp/B00IT4QGPW
  2. "Homecoming - reclaiming and championing your inner child" by John Bradshaw.
    • useful identification of problems due to childhood wounds segmented by when the abuse occurred - infant, toddler, preschool, school-age and adolescence.
    • practical exercises for self-healing
  3. "Conquering incest - my life as a trauma survivor" by E. Diane Champe
    • really good details on the process of recovery (DID) - including journal writings, therapy, hospitalisations etc.
    • the material may be triggering
    • inspiring as Diane never gave up on her recovery and was proactive in taking steps to isolate herself when necessary and to get help so that others would not be impacted.
    • Diane was a high-functioning over-achiever survivor who had a breakdown later in life because she didn't get the opportunity to resolve her early childhood trauma earlier.
  4. "Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of violence - from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror" by Judith Herman
    • focuses on a new diagnosis of PTSD, Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD).
    • coercive techniques used by domestic violence abusers are remarkably similar as those used against hostages, political prisoners and survivors of concentration camps.
    • coercive techniques include terror, intermittent reward, isolation, enforced dependency violation of moral principles and betrayal of basic human attachments
  5. "Outgrowing the Pain: a book for and about adults abused as children" by Eliana Gil
    • short book in large font which explains the many aftereffects of abuse.
    • useful if you are not sure if you are abused or not sure what the repercussions are
    • helpful for spouse/partners of abuse survivors
    • no detailed recovery plan, just broad recommendations
  6. "Outgrowing the Pain together: a book for and about adults abused as children" by Eliana Gil
    • recommendation by New York ASCA co-facilitator
    • very concise (short).
    • for the survivors, how abuse in childhood affects the adult in both mind and body and how to deal with these affects.
    • for spouses/partners, ways in which the spouse/partner can support and help the survivor dealing with these various issues. Insights are also offered by citing ways that may logically may seem would be helpful but, in fact are the opposite.
  7. "Adult Children of Abusive Parents: A Healing Program for those who have been Physically, Sexually or Emotionally Abused" by Steven Farmer
    • good scenarios of how healthy families interact
    • 4 major roles which survivors commonly assume - The Perfectionist, The Caretaker, The Invisible One and The Rebel.
    • exercises to help develop what we missed learning in our childhood.
    • 4 stage recovery program - healing your inner child, growing up again, integration and breaking the cycle which involves learning how to express love and maintaining order and respect with your children.
  8. "Feelings buried alive never die" by Karol K Truman
    • if everything seems to go wrong even when you try all sorts of positive affirmations, or if you cannot understand your feelings or find them, or you have physical ailments that keep recurring, then this book will help explain why in logical and simple terms good explanations on how thoughts, feelings, emotions can govern your life and how you can go about changing them for a more peaceful existence.
    • practical tools that you can use to uncover, resolve and release your negative feelings.
    • a good list of illnesses and the probable feelings that may be the causes
  9. "Toxic Parents: Overcoming their hurtful legacy and reclaiming your life" by Susan Forward with Craig Buck
    • concise and useful definition of toxic parents - inadequate parents, controllers, alcoholics, verbal abusers, physical abusers and sexual abusers. If you are not sure whether your childhood was really abusive, this will help clarify it - it is particularly useful if your parents were inadequate even for reasons beyond their control and you became the caretaker of your siblings and/or parents.
    • case studies and examples, show the link between parental behavior and the child's reaction/conclusion which carries through to distorted adulthood beliefs is very clearly defined. I found it powerful because it helps identify and explain the underlying sub-conscious beliefs that drive us.
    • good check-list to help identify deeply ingrained unhealthy beliefs that underlie your feelings and behaviors.
    • a very good section on forgiveness, one of the few books I've read that explains why you don't have to forgive to start the process of healing.
    • second section on how to change behaviors is very useful - with examples of non-defensive responses to use on toxic parents that defuses the interaction, reduces the guilt and allow you to be true to your needs and not your parents. The position statements help you think through the options of what you will be ok with when toxic parents are making demands.
    • good examples on how to deal with misplaced anger effectively resulting in more productive outcomes
    • the healing and recovery process emotionally and logically leads you to a place where you can let go and give you the freedom to enjoy your life.
    • good section on confronting abusers - outlining the disadvantages and advantages of various options. Helps you prepare and assess if and when you will be ready do it and which would be the best way for you.
  10. "The Boy who was raised as a dog: What traumatized children can teach us about loss, love and healing" by Bruce D Perry and Maia Szalavitz
    • linkage between childhood trauma and it's impact on brain development in particular stress or trauma
    • the brain is like a muscle and thus exposing the brain to moderate, predictable and patterned stress/challenges will make the brain stronger and more functionally capable. This makes a resilient, flexible stress response capacity. However, but too much, too early or too strong will damage the brain. Is the system is overloaded, worked beyond capacity, the result can be profound deterioration, disorganization and dysfunction. Just like working out with weights that is too heavy for your muscles - you will tear and hurt yourself instead of building stronger muscles. And so, it is entirely possible to reprogram our brains. explains how abused or traumatized children may be misdiagnosed with ADD, ADHD, hyperactivity or oppositional- defiant disorder instead of PTSD
    • case studies on how neglect or abuse of infants and toddlers deprives their brains of necessary learnings (nurturing sensory experiences) and the impact on their subsequent behaviors as they grow older. Describes effectiveness of neuro-sequential therapy - essentially providing the abused child with the nurturing, care, learnings they were deprived of based on their developmental age and not on their chronological age.
  11. "Boundaries: Where you end and I begin" by Anne Katherine
    • case studies about the differences between boundaries and defenses. Defenses keep everything out and thus deprives us of the possibility of good experiences. A boundary is a limit or edge that defines you as separate from others. Boundaries encompass physical, emotional and sexual, can be rigid or flexible and come in many shapes and sizes. Boundaries keep harm out and let in the good.
    • childhood boundary violations of intrusion creates an emotional shock wave. Childhood boundary violations of distance leads to lack of awareness of our feelings. As children, these leads us to lose our sense of self which as adults which then translates to lack of healthy boundaries.
    • exercises to recognize where our boundaries are and whether they are healthy or not.
    • exercises to develop our boundaries that have some flexibility and some definite limits, in response to situations depending on whether it's with strangers, intimates, friends, family, peers, subordinates, staff etc. Boundaries should be firm enough to keep our values and priorities clear, open enough to communicate our priorities to the right people, yet closed enough to withstand assault from the thoughtless and mean.
  12. "Where to draw the line: How to set healthy boundaries everyday" by Anne Katherine
    • follow-up book to the one above "Boundaries" (11) which expands establishing and maintaining boundaries in a wide range of situations focusing on every facet of daily life.
    • healthy boundaries preserve our integrity. Unlike defenses, which isolate us from our true selves and from those we love, boundaries filter out harm
    • provides tools and insights needed to create boundaries so that we can allow time and energy for the things that matter - and helps break down limiting defenses that stunt personal growth.
    • list of boundaries covered with case studies and examples on boundary setting - time, communication, anger, friendship, gossip, intimacy, holiday, birthday and celebrations, sexual, gender, divorce, possession, parent, spiritual, tidiness, dress and appearance, illness and chronic conditions, dying, autonomy, food, internet, therapist.
  13. "Why does he do that: Inside the minds of angry and controlling men" by Lundy Bancroft
    • definitions of abusive behavior.
    • dispels common myths about what causes the abuse - it's not about abusers not being able to control their anger. and sending them to anger management classes. It's the underlying thought process which has to do with the abuser's values such as entitlement, possession and lack of respect. This gives the abuser the excuse/reason in their mind to feel angry and then to react to the anger in ways which demonstrate their lack of respect for their partner.
    • how to spot abusers/abusive behavior
    • safety planning for abused women/men - who are still living with the abuser and after they leave the abuser.
    • tactics used by abusers on children and the impact on them
    • what to look for in a good abuser program
    • the 13 steps to change an abuser - only a small minority is willing to do the work. Many will drop out resorting back to manipulation, lies, blaming and excuses.
    • how to determine if the abuser has really changed - how to see through the abuser's manipulation, lies, blaming and excuses.
  14. "When Dad hurts Mom: helping your children heal the wounds of witnessing abuse" by Lundy Bancroft
    • help mothers really understand how their children are being impacted by witnessing abuse. Covers different scenarios of how children will typically react pre and post separation including the impact of the abuser's manipulations. Provides excellent suggestions and encouragement on how to navigate through the complexities and tough terrain of emotions the children will go through.
    • section on how to work through the pros and cons of leaving and developing a good safety plan for the long term.
    • section on how to work with child protective services and leverage their support instead of fighting them.
  15. "Helping Her Get Free: A Guide for Families and Friends of Abused Women" by Susan Brewster
    • this book used to be titled "To be an anchor in the Storm: A guide for families and friends of abused women"
    • great book to help you became a more effective support system for anyone going through a difficult time, not only for abusive situations.
    • defines differences between being a distancer, a rescuer or an anchor. Most survivors tend to distance or rescue when it comes to families and friends and so learning how to anchor is very productive. The distancers learn how to bridge the gap and the rescuers learn how to help more effectively without burning out themselves. This means that an asca survivor will not get burned out from 'rescuing' and wanting to help others in need.
    • section about how to help someone who abuses drugs and alcohol.
  16. "How to Talk so Kids will Listen & Listen so kids will talk" by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish"
    • excellent book for parents
    • even if you don't have kids, an excellent book to develop better and more effective listening skills.
    • innovative ways on how to cope with your child's negative feelings, how to express your anger without being hurtful, how to set firm limits and still maintain goodwill, how to use alternatives to punishment, how to resolve family conflicts easily and alternatives to "No".
  17. "Unconditional Parenting: moving from rewards and punishment to love and reason" by Alfie Kohn
    • great book to help parents understand what true unconditional love means. It examines why the reward and punishment strategies (conditional parenting) has long term implications which are not necessarily what parents really want for their children. Conditional parenting is about loving children for what they do and unconditional parenting is about loving children for who they are.
    • even if you are not a parent, this is very useful for asca survivors because it helps the survivor understand the impact of how they were parented (or not) and how it affects them today in the way they love - conditionally vs unconditionally.
    • the big difference is conditional parenting sets up situations where the child does something out of a sense of compulsion such as fear of punishment, seeking approval etc. Unconditional parenting creates the environment where children are able to do good things and make good decisions because they themselves believe it is the right thing to do.
    • offers practical alternatives to tactics most parents use or are tempted to use to get their children to behave
  18. "Parenting from the Inside Out" by Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzel
    • great examples of how parents who work on themselves to be the best person they can be, will be great parents.
  19. "The Courage to Heal: A guide for women survivors of child sexual abuse" by Ellen Bass & Laura Davis
    • many case studies, even applicable for survivors who did not suffer sexual abuse but had physical or emotional/verbal abuse.
    • how to create a no-suicide contract is useful
    • section on what to look for in a counselor
    • section on the healing process. Provides a thorough break down for each stage with really good descriptions and from survivors. It helps set the right expectations so that you know what to expect when going through each stage. And provides options and different outcome scenarios.
    • the healing process is broken down into: decision to heal, emergency stage, remembering, believing it happened, breaking silence, understanding that it wasn't your fault, the child within, grieving, anger, disclosures and truth telling, forgiveness, spirituality, resolution and moving on.
  20. "The Courage to Heal for women and men survivors of child sexual abuse" by Laura Davis
    • referral by ASCA member's therapist, member stated it really helped.
  21. "Addicted to misery: The other side of co-dependency" by Robert Becker
    • recommendation by ASCA member
    • if you have ever asked yourself "why do i always pick the same person, or why do i feel x (fill in with whatever negative feelings) this book may have some answers.
  22. "Getting the love you want: A guide for couples" by Harville Hendrix
    • recommendation by ASCA member
  23. "Boundaries: When to say yes, how to say no to take control of your life" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend.
    • biblical based
    • good definitions of what boundaries are, identification of boundary conflicts and how to develop healthy boundaries
  24. "The Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse" by Wendy Maltz.
    • recommendation by ASCA male adult survivor of sexual abuse
  25. "Allies in Healing: When the Person You Love Is a Survivor of Child Sexual Abuse" by Laura Davis
    • recommendation of ASCA co-facilitator in Morris Plains.
    • good book for spouses/partners of survivors and is the companion book to the book by Laura Davis
  26. "Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A Guide and Map for Recovering from Childhood Trauma" by Pete Walker.
    • highly recommended by ASCA survivors
    • excellent for working on reducing complex-PTSD symptoms
    • one of the few books what provides great descriptions on how the impact of neglect, and emotional/verbal abuse affects us as adults
    • effectiveness of healing in the correct sequence, useful roadmap to healing.
  27. "The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma" by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
    • highly recommended by ASCA survivors​


local resources - Counselling





STRENGTH UNITED


free counselling for 12 weeks for sexual assault, childhood abuse, interpersonal violence.

Operating through California State University Northridge’s (CSUN) Michael D. Eisner College of Education.


24 hr hotline:

San Fernando Valley (818) 886-0453

Santa Clarita Valley (661) 253-0258.


Locations: Santa Clarita, Northridge and Van Nuys


JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES LA


counseling and support for a wide range of issues. Services include 1-on-1 counseling and psychotherapy, consultation and referral, parent education, Iranian peer counseling, support groups, divorce mediation, parent education, school-based counseling etc.


Tel: 877-275 4537 or (818) 464-3333

Email: services@jfsla.org


provides addiction and substance abuse education, support and prevention services. Tel: 877-275 4537 or 310-247 1780


FAMILY SERVICE AGENCY OF BURBANK


1-on-1 and group counselling including childhood trauma. sliding scale - unemployed about $30-$35 for 1-on-1 counselling.


Tel: 818-845 7671

Address: 2721 W Burbank Blvd, Burbank CA 91505


DIDI HIRSCH COMMUNITY CENTER


Mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention services.


Didi Hirsch Community Suicide Prevention Center provides quality mental health care, substance abuse treatment and suicide prevention and training for financially challenged communities.


24/7 suicide hotline: 1-800-273-8255

(multi-ligual)


Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services - free provides substance abuse counseling, drug and alcohol treatment and long term residential treatment program.


Tel: (310) 390-8896


DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH LOS ANGELES COUNTRY


FOR 24/7 HELP, PLEASE CALL (800) 854-7771

Services provided:

  • Crisis Assessments and Field Deployments
  • Mental health screening and assessment
  • Crisis counseling Mobilizing field teams
  • Emotional Support Warm Line
  • Veteran Line for Mental Health Support and Connection to Veteran Programs
  • Crisis Text Line: Text LA to 741741
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: (800) 273-8255. Connects to local crisis center.
  • Disaster Distress Helpline: (800) 985-5990. Crisis counseling and support related to natural or human-caused disasters.
  • Trevor Project Lifeline: (800) 788-7386 . Support to LGBTQ youths and allies in crisis.
  • Substance Abuse Service Helpline: (844) 804-7500


CALIFORNIA PEER-RUN WARM LINE


free non-emergency emotional support for those struggling with mental and emotional well-being. The free service is available to anyone who calls or texts the California Peer-Run Warm Line at 1-855-845-7415. Mon- Fri from 7 a.m. until 11 pm, Sat from 7 a.m. until 3 pm, Sun from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m.


https://www.mentalhealthsf.org/peer-run-warmline/



LOCAL RESOURCES - other





NEIGHBOURHOOD LEGAL SERVICES OF LOS ANGELES (NLSLA)


* free legal representation or advice and education at no cost to qualifying residents in the areas of Family Law, Immigration Law, Administrative (Public Benefits) Law, Housing Law, Employment Law, Health Law and Community and Consumer Law.

* free Workshops to assist qualifying residents with income tax returns, naturalization applications, worker's rights concerns, and foreclosure prevention.


Legal Assistance : 800-433-6251

- domestic violence law: restraining orders, -

- divorce, child custody etc

- housing law: eviction defense, foreclosures, rent control etc

- immigration law: special petitions for victims of domestic violence etc

- employment law: employment disputes, unemployment insurance etc

- education law: student discipline issues, student loan problems etc

- consumer protection: loan problems etc


Self Help Legal Access Center Van Nuys Courthouse 6230 Sylmar Ave #350, Van Nuys, CA


Other self-help legal access centers can be found here http://www.nls-la.org/contact_self.php



HENRY MAYO FITNESS AND HEALTH


free classes and support groups for Santa Clarita Valley community.

Tel: 661-200 2300 or

Email: communityeducation@henrymayo.com


* support groups - aphasia, OCD, Women sobriety, diabetes, stroke & brain injury etc

* mental health - body image, digital detox, mindful eating, mindfulness, suicide prevention etc

* brain health

* diabetes management

* diet and nutrition

* heart health

* lung health


Visit web-site for up-to-date events:

https://www.henrymayo.com/classes-events/




national resources





THE NORMA J. MORRIS CENTER


The Norma J. Morris Center and the Adult Survivors of Child Abuse (ASCASM) Program.(Information) is an international self-help support group program designed specifically for adult survivors of neglect, physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse. Offers a 21 step self-help recovery program.

The ASCA SM program offers free:

* Community based self-help support groups

* Provider based self-help support groups

* Web based self-help support groups

* Survivor to Thriver workbooks

* co-facilitator training to start ASCA support groups


Email: infoascasupport@gmail.com


NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE


Tel: 1-800-273-8255 or


Text: GO to 741741 to reach a trained Crisis Counselor through Crisis Text Line, a global not-for-profit organization. Free, 24/7, confidential.


RAPE,ABUSE & INCEST NATIONAL NETWORK (RAINN)


free crisis intervention and support, answers to questions about recovering from sexual assault, information about medical issues, explanations of the criminal justice system, and what to expect when you report the crime to the police and also referrals to resources in your area, information for family and friends of victims


24 hr hotline: 1-800-656 HOPE (4673)


PANDORA'S PROJECT (PANDYS)


online support and resources for survivors of rape and sexual abuse. Offers online 24/7 message boards and chat rooms for survivors of sexual violence world-wide. The forums and chat rooms are moderated, new members have to be validated first before acceptance. There is also support for families/spouses/partners of survivors, men's only, incest only etc forums.


SURVIVORS OF INCEST ANONYMOUS (SIA)


for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse with a 12 step recovery model. They have in-person, online and phone meetings.


THE HAVEN RETREAT BY YOUNIQUE FOUNDATION


The Haven Retreat is a clinically informed 4-day educational experience for female survivors of child sexual abuse. Its purpose is to educate survivors about the traumatic impacts of abuse, as well as introduce healing tools you can continue to use when you return home.


This retreat is free and held in 2 locations - Utah and Georgia.


MALE SURVIVOR


Education and support for male survivors of sexual abuse.


https://malesurvivor.org



1IN6


For male sexual abuse survivors and also support for family members, friends and partners. Includes 24/7 helpline chat and weekly online support group meetings:


https://1in6.org/



NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ADULT SURVIVORS OF CHILD ABUSE - NAASCA


address issues related to childhood abuse and trauma including sexual assault, violent or physical abuse, emotional traumas and neglect .1) educating the public

2) offering hope and healing through numerous paths, providing many services to adult survivors of child abuse and information for anyone interested in the many issues involving prevention, intervention and recovery


Resources listed by state:

http://www.naasca.org/Groups-Services/



Contact us:



ascasantaclarita@yahoo.com


text 661-450 8842

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