Laurel Shaler - Reclaiming Sanity: Hope and Healing for Trauma, Stress, and Overwhelming Life Events

What people are saying about

In Reclaiming Sanity , Dr. Shaler addresses some of the most painful questions we face in life with compassion and tenderness. She offers both practical insight from her many years of clinical experience and biblical nourishment for the weary soul. If you or a loved one is suffering, Dr. Shaler has written this book to bring you helpful coping tactics, spiritual encouragement, and most of all, hope.

Katherine and Jay Wolf, coauthors and cofounders of Hope Heals

Laurel Shaler speaks with the authority of a professional counselor and the kindness of a caring friend. Her words provide not only hope and inspiration but practical, life-changing application.

Holley Gerth, bestselling author of Youre Already Amazing

You can get beyond it all and live free again. Emotional distress and trauma in life can leave one more than unsettledit can destroy a sense of safety and stability. In Reclaiming Sanity , Dr. Shaler takes you on a healing journey through and past the pain using careful clinical wisdom that is always anchored in Christ.

Dr. Tim and Julie Clinton, American Association of Christian Counselors President and Extraordinary Women President

I love how my friend Dr. Laurel Shaler meets you in Reclaiming Sanity right where you are. What a powerful message of hope, healing, and redemption. If youve ever been told how you should feel, the healing balm of feeling personally understood in these pages will resonate. With great appreciation for the help it will bring to many people, I recommend this book.

Lisa Whittle, speaker and author of I Want God and Put Your Warrior Boots On

RECLAIMING SANITY

Published by David C Cook

4050 Lee Vance Drive

Colorado Springs, CO 80918 U.S.A.

David C Cook U.K., Kingsway Communications

Eastbourne, East Sussex BN23 6NT, England

The graphic circle C logo is a registered trademark of David C Cook.

All rights reserved. Except for brief excerpts for review purposes,

no part of this book may be reproduced or used in any form

without written permission from the publisher.

The website addresses recommended throughout this book are offered as a resource to you. These websites are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement on the part of David C Cook, nor do we vouch for their content.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV. Copyright 1973, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION and NIV are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica, Inc. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. The author has added italics to Scripture quotations for emphasis.

PUBLISHERS NOTE: This book is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, but as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of the author. You are advised and encouraged to consult with your health care professional in all matters relating to your health and the health of your family. The publisher and author disclaim any liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of this book.

AUTHORS NOTE: This book contains numerous case examples. In order to preserve the privacy of the people involved, we have disguised their appearances, names, and personal stories so that they are not identifiable. Case examples may also include composite characters.

LCCN 2017931091

ISBN 978-1-4347-1042-0

eISBN 978-1-4347-1051-2

2017 Dr. Laurel Shaler

Published in association with literary agent Diana Flegal of Hartline Literary Agency. www.hartlineliterary.com.

The Team: Alice Crider, Nick Lee, Jack Campbell, Susan Murdock

Cover Design: Amy Konyndyk

Cover Photo: Getty Images

First Edition 2017

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This book is dedicated to every woman who is hurting because of a difficult life event. My prayer for you all, loved ones, former clients, and strangers, is that you will know that neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will ever be able to separate you from the love of God. May these words from Romans 8:39 provide comfort and peace as you seek the root source of all healing: Jesus.

And to my mother, the strongest woman I know.

The Spirit of the Sovereign L ORD is on me, because the L ORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the L ORD s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zionto bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the L ORD for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:13