{"product_id":"scared-selfless-isbn-9780735215351","title":"Scared Selfless","description":"\u003cb\u003e“A riveting memoir that takes readers on a roller coaster ride from the depths of hell to triumphant success.”—Dave Pelzer, author of \u003ci\u003eA Child Called \u003cb\u003e“\u003c\/b\u003eIt\u003cb\u003e”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMichelle Stevens has a photo of the exact moment her childhood was stolen from her: She’s only eight years old, posing for her mother’s boyfriend, Gary Lundquist—an elementary school teacher, neighborhood stalwart, and brutal pedophile. Later that night, Gary locks Michelle in a cage, tortures her repeatedly, and uses her to quench his voracious and deviant sexual whims. Little does she know that this will become her new reality for the next six years.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMichelle can also pinpoint the moment she reconstituted the splintered pieces of her life: She’s in cap and gown, receiving her PhD in psychology—and the university’s award for best dissertation.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe distance between these two points is the improbable journey from torture, loss, and mental illness to healing, recovery, and triumph that is Michelle’s powerful memoir, \u003ci\u003eScared Selfless\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMichelle suffered from post‐traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression, and made multiple suicide attempts. She also developed multiple personalities. There was “Chelsey,” the rebellious teenager; “Viscous,” a tween with homicidal rage; and “Sarah,” a sweet little girl who brought her teddy bear on a first date.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn this harrowing tale, Michelle, who was inspired to help others heal by becoming a psychotherapist, sheds light on the all-too-real threat of child sexual abuse, its subsequent psychological effects, and the best methods for victims to overcome their ordeals and, ultimately, thrive. \u003ci\u003eScared Selfless\u003c\/i\u003e is both an examination of the extraordinary feats of the mind that are possible in the face of horrific trauma as well as Michelle’s courageous testament to their power.“In \u003ci\u003eScared Selfless\u003c\/i\u003e, Dr. Michelle Stevens takes readers on a remarkable journey. Her account of childhood trauma—told with candor and, yes, even wit—and how she found the strength and resilience to ultimately recover and triumph is an inspiration not just to other survivors, but to us all. The book is a guide for anybody seeking to overcome challenges and lead a richer and fuller life.”—\u003cb\u003eArianna Huffington\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003ci\u003eScared Selfless\u003c\/i\u003e is a riveting memoir that takes readers on a roller coaster ride from the depths of hell to triumphant success. Michelle’s extraordinary life story and diligent, compassionate work as a therapist teaches us that, with true-grit determination, it’s possible to overcome the worst adversity. Scared Selfless offers courage, strength, and resilience to anyone who desires a better life.”—\u003cb\u003eDave Pelzer, author, \u003ci\u003eA Child Called 'It'\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eScared Selfless\u003c\/i\u003e is a compelling read about choosing your path in life and owning that decision.” \u003cb\u003e–Dr. Phil \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A beautifully written book…with honesty [and] humor…Through grit and hard work, what begins as \u003ci\u003eGrand Guignol\u003c\/i\u003e finishes with a big Hollywood ending.” \u003ci\u003e--\u003cb\u003eVanity Fair\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"A testament to hope.\"—\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePeople\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Some books should be read. Dr. Michelle Stevens book must be read. Prepare to cringe, to sob, and to rejoice. This is a captivating yet harrowing read of innocence denied, a childhood obliterated, parental indifference, grotesque and serial predation, psychopathy, and institutional inadequacies.  But one has to exhale to be fair, because that is not all. This is a story about the psychological legacy of abuse, the struggle to survive a troubled mind, the challenges of finding elusive help and about finally and triumphantly finding redemption through the most unapologetic example of personal grit I’ve ever read. I could not put this book down and neither will you, not if you care about others, not if you care about children. There are heroes and there are giants in this world: Dr. Stevens is both.”—\u003cb\u003eJoe Navarro, Special Agent (Ret.) and author of \u003ci\u003eDangerous Personalities\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Michelle Stevens has written a fierce, honest account of her life that will stay with any reader long after the last page has turned. This book does more to explain what it feels like to live with the effects of trauma than anything I've ever read. It's the rare book that's both personal and clinical. It should be a resource and an inspiration not just to survivors but to those who love and seek to understand them.”—\u003cb\u003eSara Corbett, co-author of \u003ci\u003eA House in the Sky\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“What an astonishing and extraordinary book! I wasn't planning to read the whole book in one sitting, but I literally couldn't put it down.  In a few brief hours I experienced shock, dismay, and eventually hope as Michelle Stevens shared her remarkable journey. Then I told five friends, 'You have to read this book.' Now I am telling you—'You have to read this book.'  It is a story that has to be told. I celebrate Michelle Stevens for having the courage to write it. It will mesmerize you, confound you, and eventually inspire you—as you realize that anything, no matter how horrific—can be overcome.” —\u003cb\u003eJack Canfield, coauthor of the bestselling\u003ci\u003e Chicken Soup for the Soul\u003c\/i\u003e series and \u003ci\u003eThe Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Courageous and insightful, Stevens' book is not only important for the light it sheds on some of the effects of extreme sexual abuse. It also provides hope to survivors that living \"a successful and satisfying life\" is absolutely possible. A raw and powerful account from a survivor of unspeakable abuse.”—\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Occasionally, a book comes along that absolutely takes my breath away. \u003ci\u003eScared Selfless \u003c\/i\u003eis such a book…I could. Not. Put. It. Down…It is as harrowing as it is deeply engrossing. What I hadn’t prepared myself for was this: a tale that, in the end, would leave me in the presence of such unrelenting beauty, grace, and hope. Dr. Stevens is not only a remarkable storyteller, she is also an extraordinary healer. Her greatest balm is that of her unflinching personal truth, laid bare on these pages.”—\u003cb\u003eMichelle Burford, coauthor with Michelle Knight of \u003ci\u003eFinding Me\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Powerful.” –\u003cb\u003eGoodHousekeeping.com\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eDr. Michelle Stevens\u003c\/b\u003e, a psychologist, is the founder and director of Post-Traumatic Success, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and inspiring those affected by psychological trauma. She studied writing at New York University before earning her doctorate in psychology from Saybrook University, where her thesis was honored as the Dissertation of Distinction. Stevens has presented her research to the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation and the Los Angeles County Psychological Association, where she also received an award for Outstanding Research. She works with survivors around the globe, encouraging them to heal, grow, and fight for better lives.","brand":"G.P. Putnam's Sons","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46300901441765,"sku":"NP9780735215351","price":24.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780735215351.jpg?v=1767736172","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/scared-selfless-isbn-9780735215351","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}