Reclaim

understanding complex trauma and those who abuse
Ahona Guha

‘Reclaim is for victims of abuse, for their families and loved ones, but above all for anyone who wants to understand human behaviour.’

Mark Rubbo, Managing Director of Readings

‘In a world that so often turns away from the complexities of trauma and abuse, this book turns towards them … Reclaim is a game-changer.’

Chris Cheers, psychologist and author of The New Rulebook

View all reviews

‘Reclaim gave me a better understanding of my own trauma. Huge gratitude to Dr Guha for this well-crafted book … A must-read for everyone.’

Veronica Gorrie, author of Black and Blue

‘Powerfully, accessibly, and with a clinician’s depth of detail, Dr Guha writes directly about the violence we prefer to drape in darkness. She shows that it is only by seeking to understand its causes and consequences that we can work towards creating safer, fairer communities. I’m grateful to her for this illuminating, and urgently necessary, book.‘

Sarah Krasnostein, author of The Trauma Cleaner and The Believer

‘What drew me to this book was the fact that its author works as both a clinical and forensic psychologist. As someone with a trauma history I’m always looking for new better ways to manage its impacts. As someone with a psychology degree (the most expensive piece of paper I own) I am interested in the why behind the what when people act in ways that victimise others. I love that this book delves into something that most people conveniently ignore: sometimes a person is both victim and perpetrator … A blend of theory and case studies (composites so as not to breach confidentiality) this book would be of interest to both trauma survivors and those who work in helping professions.’

Schizanthus Nerd

‘Dr Guha provides a highly accessible work that covers a lot of ground, and is illustrated by composite case studies of her own patients, and some detail about her own experience of trauma … Reclaim is a fascinating insight into different types of trauma, survivors, abusers, institutional abuse and invites the reader to enter a full and open discussion about these issues … This book is a nuanced exploration of the nature of trauma, the people it affects, and how we might, both as individuals and as a society, reduce its harm.’

Cass Moriarty, author of The Promise Seed and Parting Words

‘Guha’s willingness to confront this murky terrain is courageous, a clinical psychologist and forensic expert, has penned a book about trauma that is not literary, academic, or self-help: it is a clear-eyed analysis by a professionally qualified, socially engaged and intimately informed author. Guha purportedly wrote the book to redress fallacies in “a world that is beset by trauma” … The most admirable thing [Reclaim] is its advocacy for those caught in the darkest realms of trauma’s slipstream: the least likeable among us, who act out in the most socially unacceptable ways. Guha demands we seek to understand not only traumatised sweethearts (those who invite sympathy) but also people who exhibit alienating, infuriating or frightening trauma-fuelled traits … Reclaim [pushes] back against common value judgements that less traumatised — and more privileged — people make about those living with complex trauma … by looking around soberly — and inviting us to build a “trauma-informed community” and move toward a more just future.’

Dr Meera Atkinson, The Conversation

‘[Reclaim] is an excellent starting point for anyone wanting clarification about the impact of trauma, with further information on where to find therapy and support.’

Cheryl Akle, The Australian

‘While there are brilliant authors in the fields of domestic violence and trauma recovery, Dr Guha synthesises the fields so that they’re easy to navigate, offering a compassionate way forward—in gender-neutral language—for both victim and perpetrator.’

Jenny Hedley, Westerly Mag

‘Reclaim is one of those books I will revisit again, whenever I need to process certain events or experiences.’

Dr Yumiko Kadota, author of Emotional Female

A groundbreaking book that will expand your thinking, whether you are a trauma survivor, a clinician, someone who loves a survivor, or someone seeking to understand abuse.

In Reclaim, expert forensic and clinical psychologist Dr Ahona Guha explores complex traumas, how survivors can recover and heal, and the nature of those who abuse. She shines a light on the ‘difficult’ trauma victims that society often ignores, and tackles vital questions that plague us: ‘Why are psychological abuse and coercive control so difficult to spot?’, ‘What kinds of behaviours should we see as red flags?’, and ‘Why do some people harm others, and how do we protect ourselves from them?’

In her forensic work, Dr Guha has had extensive experience with those who perpetrate harm, and she has a deep understanding of the psychological and social factors that cause people to abuse, bully, and harass others. In turn, her clinical work has led her to recognise the impacts of complex trauma, and the way our systems fail those who have been victimised. By emphasising compassion above all else, Dr Guha gives a call to action: one that will help us reclaim a safer, healthier society for everyone.

‘Reclaim is for victims of abuse, for their families and loved ones, but above all for anyone who wants to understand human behaviour.’

Mark Rubbo, Managing Director of Readings

‘In a world that so often turns away from the complexities of trauma and abuse, this book turns towards them … Reclaim is a game-changer.’

Chris Cheers, psychologist and author of The New Rulebook

View all reviews

‘Reclaim gave me a better understanding of my own trauma. Huge gratitude to Dr Guha for this well-crafted book … A must-read for everyone.’

Veronica Gorrie, author of Black and Blue

Sarah Krasnostein, author of The Trauma Cleaner and The Believer

Schizanthus Nerd

Cass Moriarty, author of The Promise Seed and Parting Words

Dr Meera Atkinson, The Conversation

‘[Reclaim] is an excellent starting point for anyone wanting clarification about the impact of trauma, with further information on where to find therapy and support.’

Cheryl Akle, The Australian

Jenny Hedley, Westerly Mag

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Details

Format:Paperback

Size: 234mm × 153mm

Extent:256pp

ISBN (13):9781922585684

RRP:$32.99

Pub date:28 Feb 2023

Rights Held: World

High-res cover:Download Image

AWARDS

2024 The Davitt Award for Nonfiction - Long-listed

CATEGORIES / tags

Psychology PSYCHOLOGY / Mental Health Trauma & shock Family & relationships Child & developmental psychology PSYCHOLOGY / Developmental / General FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / General PSYCHOLOGY / Interpersonal Relations

AUTHOR

Ahona Guha

Dr Ahona Guha is a clinical and forensic psychologist. Her first book, Reclaim: understanding complex trauma and those who abuse was published by Scribe Publications in 2023. She works with victims of abuse and trauma, and clients with a range of other difficulties — such as anxiety, depression, perfectionism, burn-out, and relationship problems. She also works with perpetrators of harmful behaviours to assess risk, and provides treatment to reduce the risk they pose to others. She writes widely for the media on matters related to mental health, health, social justice, and equity. Her work has appeared in The Age, The Guardian, The Saturday Paper, Breathe Magazine, SBS, and ABC. You can find out more about her work at www.ahonaguha.com.

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