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, vulnerability, injury and healing. Written from a Christian evangelical orientation, 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.

Additional Resources On This Site for CE

• Bold Love
  by Dr. Dan Allender and Dr. Tremper Longman III: 12 CE Credits
• Soul Talk
  by Larry Crabb, PhD: 8 CE Credits
• Door of Hope: Recovery from Sexual Abuse
  by Jan Frank: 8 CE Credits
• Spiritual Approaches in the Treatment of Women with Eating Disorders
  by P. Scott Richards, PhD, Randy K. Hardman, PhD, Michael E. Berrett, PhD: 9 CE Credits
• Healing Path
  by Dan B. Allender, Ph.D.: 8 CE Credits
• To Be Told: Know Your Story, Shape Your Future
  by Dr. Dan Allender: 7 CE Credits

Additional Resources Not On This Site

• Visit Dan Allender’s Website: www.thepathlesschosen.com

Bio: Dan Allender, PhD

Dr. Dan Allender received his M. Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Michigan State University.

Dr. Allender has taught in the Biblical Counseling Department of Grace Theological Seminary for seven years (1983-1989). From 1989-1997 he worked as a professor in the Master of Arts in Biblical Counseling program at Colorado Christian University, Denver, Colorado. Dr. Allender currently serves as President and Professor of Counseling at Mars Hill Graduate School in Bothell, Washington.

Dr. Allender travels and speaks extensively to present his unique perspective on sexual abuse recovery, love and forgiveness, worship and other related topics.

For additional information about Dan Allender’s various seminars, conferences, and speaking schedules please contact The Path Less Chosen located at:

www.thepathlesschosen.com