Mending the Soul
Healing starts with understanding—and Mending the Soul offers a compassionate, practical guide for anyone ready to take that step. Whether you're a survivor, a supporter, or someone simply wanting to learn, this book will challenge and inspire you.
Resources in This Series
Mending the Soul 2nd Edition
Integrates the voices of survivors, social-science research, and a theology of healing, to direct and guide advocates and caregivers in the compassionate and holistic care of exploited girls - enabling healing within relationships.
Mending the Soul Workbook
MTS Book & Workbook Bundle
This bundle is designed for those preparing to begin their healing journey in a group. Together the book and workbook create the group curriculum used by Mending the Soul groups.
Discovering Hope and Healing
Mending the Soul: Understanding and Healing Abuse, 2nd Edition offers a powerful, christ-centered approach to understanding and addressing abuse. Combining biblical insights with the latest scientific research, this book explores the different types of abuse—sexual, physical, neglect, spiritual, and verbal—and their far-reaching effects on the soul. But more importantly, it shows how healing is possible.
Abuse isn’t a rare tragedy; it’s more widespread than most people realize. The book addresses these core truths:
- Abuse thrives in a broken world, fueled by human flaws and destructive influences.
- Every form of abuse leaves deep, long-lasting scars, twisting the very aspects of God's image within us.
- Healing comes through God, who endured suffering and offers redemption.
- Recovery happens in relationships. Just as unhealthy relationships wound, healthy ones bring restoration and growth.
Big Questions, Honest Answers
Mending the Soul tackles difficult but essential questions head-on:
- How can someone of faith harm a child?
- What motivates abuse?
- How can parents and caregivers spot warning signs?
- What does true healing look like, and how do victims get there?
- Is anger okay for those who’ve been abused?
- How does forgiveness fit into recovery?
What’s New in the 2nd Edition
The updated edition includes the latest research on trauma and abuse from the past 15 years. It considers the increasing struggles with depression, anxiety, and social isolation in today’s world, which make the healing process more challenging.
The book also addresses new types of abuse survivors, such as sex trafficking victims, foster children, refugees, and survivors of genocide. Real-world examples, including high-profile abuse cases and insights from the #MeToo movement, make the lessons even more relatable.
Practical tools and resources in the appendices provide guidance for parents, ministry leaders, and caregivers. You’ll find advice on creating child protection policies, identifying warning signs of abusers, and connecting with support organizations.
The Workbook: A Hands-On Healing Tool
The Mending the Soul Workbook for Men and Women pairs with the book to provide a practical, step-by-step journey toward recovery. It’s designed for individual reflection, counseling, or small group discussions.
This interactive guide includes:
- Expressive art exercises to help process emotions.
- Contemplative meditations to deepen your connection with God.
- Interactive activities that build safe, nurturing relationships.
By working through the exercises, readers can move past isolation and toward healing, discovering their own story of redemption in the process.
For Facilitators
The second edition aligns with updated workbook content, with revised chapter references and expanded material. It’s an invaluable resource for anyone supporting survivors, whether in a group setting or one-on-one counseling.
