Raising Myself: A Memoir Of Neglect, Shame, And... -

The book follows her through a "minefield" of childhood characters—including religious fanatics and child molesters—and her struggle to avoid falling into cycles of crime or self-destruction.

described it as a "gut-wrenching, cleareyed coming-of-age memoir" with clean writing that serves the heavy subject matter.

The memoir details Engel’s experience growing up with a neglectful and narcissistic mother, effectively being on her own from the age of four. Key themes include: Raising Myself: A Memoir of Neglect, Shame, and...

A central focus is how early neglect and abuse created deep-seated shame, making her feel "unlovable and rotten inside".

Later chapters explore her professional success and her eventual ability to view her mother with compassion rather than just fear or anger. Professional Impact The book follows her through a "minefield" of

is a raw, candid memoir by Beverly Engel , an internationally recognized psychotherapist and expert on abuse recovery. Published in 2018, the book chronicles her traumatic childhood and her ultimate journey toward healing and self-reinvention. Core Narrative and Themes

Engel recounts severe hardships, including physical and emotional neglect, being sexually abused at ages four and nine, and being raped at twelve. Key themes include: A central focus is how

Engel used her personal history to inform her thirty-year career as a therapist specializing in abuse recovery. According to Simon & Schuster , she has written over twenty self-help books, including The Emotionally Abused Woman and It Wasn’t Your Fault .