A Woman's Journal: Helping Women Recover

Stephanie S. Covington, Ph.D., LCSW, is an internationally recognized clinician, author, organizational consultant, and lecturer and a pioneer in the field of women’s issues, trauma, addiction, and recovery. With more than thirty years of experience, she has developed an innovative, gender-responsive, and trauma-informed approach that results in effective services in public, private, and institutional settings. Her clients include the Betty Ford Treatment Center, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment in Washington, D.C., the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Correctional Service of Canada, the Ministries of Justice in England, Scotland and Switzerland, and numerous other treatment and correctional settings. She is the featured therapist on the Oprah Winfrey Network TV show Breaking Down the Bars and the coauthor of a three-year research project, Gender-Responsive Strategies: Research, Practice, and Guiding Principles for Women Offenders, for the National Institute of Corrections. She also has served as a consultant to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and was selected for the federal Advisory Committee for Women’s Services. Educated at Columbia University and the Union Institute, Dr. Covington has conducted seminars for behavioral health professionals, community organizations, criminal justice professionals, and recovery groups in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Iceland, Brazil, and New Zealand. She has served on the faculties of the University of Southern California, San Diego State University, and the California School of Professional Psychology. She has published extensively, including ten gender-responsive, trauma-informed treatment curricula. Dr. Covington is a board-certified Diplomate of the National Association of Social Workers and the American Board of Sexology and is a member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy and the American Psychological Association. She is based in La Jolla, California, where she is co-director of both the Institute for Relational Development and the Center for Gender & Justice.

About the Author ix

Books and Programs x

About the Cover xi

Introduction xiii

Opening Session: Introduction to the Program 1

Optional Yoga Exercise: Seated Centering and Breathing 12

Module A: Self 13

Session 2. Defining Self 15

Session 3. Sense of Self 25

Session 4. Self-Esteem 31

Session 5. Sexism, Stereotyping, and Power 35

Yoga Module A: Breath of Joy to Rag Doll to Lip Flutter 43

Module B: Relationships 47

Session 6. Family of Origin 49

Session 7. Mothers 55

Session 8. Mother Myths 59

Session 9. Fathers 63

Session 10. Understanding Abuse and Trauma 67

Session 11. Interpersonal Violence 79

Session 12. Creating Supportive and Loving Relationships 91

Yoga Module B: Feminine Warrior Sequence 107

Module C: Sexuality 113

Session 13. Sexuality and Addiction 115

Session 14. Body Image 127

Session 15. Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation 135

Session 16. Challenges to Healthy Sexuality 145

Session 17. Healthy Sexuality 155

Yoga Module C: Essential Oil Embrace into Awesome Arms/Goddess Pose 167

Module D: Spirituality 171

Session 18. What Is Spirituality? 173

Session 19. Mindfulness, Prayer, and Meditation 179

Session 20. Creating a Vision 185

Yoga Module D: Blessing Body, Mind and Spirit 193

Appendix 1. Additional Recovery Resources 197

Appendix 2. Redefining Gender 203

Feedback Form 207