Why a Trauma Therapist Recommends Chessy Prout’s Story
A High School survivor teaches how to heal
As a psychotherapist who works with trauma survivors, I was deeply moved by Chessy Prout’s 2018 memoir, I Have the Right To: A High School Survivor’s Story of Sexual Assault, Justice and Hope. Written with investigative reporter Jenn Abelson, I Have the Right To chronicles Chessy’s journey from being sexually assaulted as a 15-year-old freshman at St. Paul’s boarding school in Concord, New Hampshire, through her recovery and present-day advocacy.
Throughout the book, Chessy’s relentless honesty provides the rest of us with a gift: intimate insight into the world of trauma and the arc of trauma recovery. Because her recovery is ultimately so successful, her narrative is a rich source for clients to learn about many elements of trauma recovery, as well as a source of inspiration for clients and therapists, alike.
Chessy’s relentless honesty provides the rest of us with a gift: intimate insight into the world of trauma and the arc of trauma recovery.
Here I will summarize just a few of the features of trauma recovery that Chessy’s honesty allows us to witness, including: secure attachment, counseling and psychotherapy…
