The Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse is a widely respected self-help resource by Wendy Maltz, an internationally recognized sex therapist. Originally published in 1991, the book provides a comprehensive, step-by-step program to help survivors of sexual trauma heal from their past, improve their relationships, and reclaim a healthy, safe, and enjoyable sexual life. 
 
Core Themes and Content
The book is designed to be a compassionate guide for both individuals and couples. Key areas it addresses include:
Identifying Effects: Helping readers recognize how past abuse impacts their current sexual behavior and self-concept.
Gaining Control: Providing techniques to manage upsetting, automatic reactions to touch and intimacy.
The CERTS Model: Introducing five conditions for healthy sexuality: Consent, Equality, Respect, Trust, and Safety.
Practical Exercises: Including "relearning touch" techniques and grounding exercises to help survivors navigate triggers and build new, positive associations with intimacy.
First-Person Accounts: Integrating stories from both men and women at various stages of their recovery to offer hope and a sense of community.
 
Reception and Reviews
Highly Recommended: Many readers and professionals consider it a "classic" and an essential resource for those who have experienced sexual trauma.
Challenging but Necessary: Reviewers often note that while it is an emotionally difficult read, it is deeply validating and pragmatic.
Complementary to Therapy: While not a substitute for professional counseling, it is frequently recommended as a supportive tool to use alongside clinical therapy.
Critiques: Some readers find the frequent accounts of abuse within the text to be triggering or "depressing" at times, recommending it be read in small, manageable sections. 
 
Softcover
 
347 pages.
 
Harper Perennial.
 
Copyright 1991.
 
Good condition. May have markings on pages, staining and discolouration. Stickers on cover.