The Wounded Heart is a book that visits the painful realities of sexual abuse with intellectual accuracy, spiritual integrity and compassion. Allender explains in detail the processes of seduction and vulnerability. The text provides the clinician a clear and in depth understanding of the unique wound of sexual abuse and the pathway to wholeness. The focuses on the effects that childhood abuse has on the adult restores power and choice to the adult victim. He interlaces a scriptural perspective that relates the person’s current response to powerlessness, betrayal and shame to the traumatic event. He unfolds a path of therapy that reverses the posttraumatic response to flee intimacy, vulnerability and loss of control. The book presents, from a Christian perspective, the coming to terms with past sexual abuse and the ultimate reclamation of the soul. Allender calls the path to wholeness, 'The unlikely route to joy.' He proposes a path of health and spirituality that empowers victims to face shame and their response of contempt.

The book is written in the female gender but that does not restrict its scope from being helpful in addressing the issues of adult males who have experienced childhood sexual trauma.

There is also a corresponding workbook which is a companion to therapy. It is substantial and helpful to clients working through the issues.

Educational Objectives

• understand and appreciate the Christian literature and principals about recovery from the trauma of sexual abuse
• define the sexual abuse in its overt and covert forms
• understand the modalities where false memories can be most prevalent
• identify the stages for abuse
• define and identify the various styles of relating adopted by victims to cope with sexual abuse
• identify the secondary symptoms of sexual abuse
• understand the unique interplay of shame and contempt in the abused person’s life
• appreciate biblical viewpoints that address recovery and empowerment

Syllabus / Course Instructions

• The Course consists of reading the selected book, successfully completing an online posttest and filling out a course evaluation.
• The book is not included. It must be purchased separately. We have supplied a link to Amazon.com for your convenience.
• Purchasing your course will give you access to both a printable copy of the test and an online version. Print the test to use as a companion as you read the book and answer the questions.
• You cannot exit the online test once you begin, so have your answers available.