""A heartfelt and informative guide to recovery with searing literary recollections." ~Kirkus Reviews

“There are victims of childhood sexual abuse in families and academic authorities on childhood sexual abuse in families. The novelist and poet Denise Bossarte, who was molested by her grandfather, bridges the gap in this stunning book and lays claim to her right to be an authority.”—Susan Brownmiller, author of Against Our Will: Men, Women and Rape.

“Thriving vividly captures the confusing impact of incest on a developing girl and achieves a needed goal for a book about incest—she takes the shame out. Through her candid account of what she endured and her sharing of the concrete steps she took in the aftermath, Bossarte reveals how she came to understand herself and the world, giving the reader both guidance and permission to do the same. Highly recommended.”—Patricia A. O’Gorman, PhD, psychologist, speaker, and author of Healing Trauma Through Self-Parenting, The 12 Steps to Self-Parenting for Adult Children, and The Resilient Woman.

“This book is an impressive addition to the self-help literature, especially for those who have suffered incestuous abuse, with all its additional complications. Denise Bossarte is forthright in describing her abuse at the hands of her grandfather and especially its negative consequences on her identity, sense of self, and ability to trust others. The focus of the book is on how she reversed the trajectory of her life and learned to thrive. She offers a wide variety of methods and resources to encourage and assist others, interspersed with sage comments and advice. Her poetry is especially poignant and inspirational. Brava!”—Dr. Christine A. Courtois, PhD, ABPP – consultant/trainer, trauma psychology and trauma treatment, and author of Healing the Incest Wound: Adult Survivors in Therapy, and It's Not You, It's What Happened to You: Complex Trauma and Treatment 

“With sensitivity, caring, and compassion, Bossarte reflects on her experiences and the many helpful and enriching pathways she’s traveled on her profound journey of healing from childhood sexual abuse into thriving adulthood. She’s created a rich, resource-filled and practical guidebook for both those beginning that same journey as well as for those further along who are yearning to move beyond survivor-ship into thriver-ship. Throughout, there are cautions when potentially triggering material is ahead.”—Robyn L Posin, PhD author of Choosing Gentleness: Opening Our Hearts to All the Ways We Feel and Are in Every Moment, Go Only As Fast, and Tenderly Embracing All the Ways That I Feel and Am

“In Thriving after Sexual Abuse, Denise Bossarte has written the ultimate comprehensive guide for survivors and for those of us who care for them. I believe Dr. Bossarte’s book covers what I call the mental health trinity of the healing process when she addresses the mental, emotional, and physical aspect of recovering and surviving sexual abuse. As a clinical psychotherapist, I believe every mental health professional would benefit from having Thriving After Sexual Abuse on their resource list.”—Julia A. Boyd, MEd, LMHC, author of In the Company of My Sisters: Black Women and Self-Esteem, Girlfriend to Girlfriend: Everyday Wisdom and Affirmations from the Sister Circle, and Can I Get a Witness: Black Women and Depression.

“Seldom do you get a book that is both wildly practical and ferociously courageous. Dr. Bossarte somehow manages both in this important work. With kindness and strength, she faces the deepest heartache of abuse and keeps moving toward an unabashed healing by not denying the violence but truly facing it head on and learning what it means to thrive!”—Andrew J. Bauman, therapist, cofounder & director of the Christian Counseling Center: For Sexual Health & Trauma (CCC), author of Stumbling toward Wholeness: How the Love of God Changes Us and The Sexually Healthy Man: Essays on Spirituality, Sexuality, & Restoration

“Denise Bossarte writes skillfully and courageously in crafting this memoir and guide. It takes us through her difficult but necessary journey to better understand the experience of victims of sexual abuse, and then crafts a step-by-step path to recovery, one that is respectful of experience, comprehensive in context, and deeply relational in essence. Victims will be inspired, and those of us who care will be educated. For those who’ve experienced abuse, Denise’s story outlines a path forward to authentic self-acceptance, recovery, and triumph, and for others, whether allies or treaters, this book should be required reading.”— Dr. Blaise Aguirre, MD, medical director of 3East Continuum of Care, McLean Hospital, assistant professor in psychiatry, Harvard Medical School Department of Psychiatry, coauthor of Fighting Back: What an Olympic Champion’s Story Can Teach Us about Recognizing and Preventing Child Sexual Abuse—and Helping Kids Recover

"Denise Bossarte’s practical book for survivors of sexual abuse is written in a way that feels like talking with a wise friend. Thoughtful and thought-provoking questions guide a process of self-exploration and the discussion of her personal experiences coming to terms with abuse and entitlement to thrive enriches the process."—Laurie Leitch, PhD, director, Threshold GlobalWorks, neuroscience-based skills to amplify natural resilience

"As survivors of abuse, we need to know we are not alone and that there are others out there who have not only survived, but who are thriving in a life they love. Denise Bossarte courageously offers us her survivor story, full of honesty, personal experiences, and the healing tools and practices that have supported her growth and helped her find joy and freedom along her journey."—Nicole Braddock Bromley, founder of OneVOICE and OneVOICE4freedom, host of The OneVOICE Podcast, author of HUSH and director of UNLEASH virtual survivor support groups

“Denise talks openly and candidly about her abuse. She describes precisely the effects and feelings of abuse that happen immediately when the abuse starts. She is honest with the reader about how hard and terrifying the healing journey can be, while laying out a proven path of steps to recovery. These steps have worked for her as well as many other survivors who have walked this healing journey. Most importantly, her book is written from a first-person perspective, which makes it very reader-friendly.”—Randy Boyd, CADC II, pastor, author Healing the Wounded Child Within, 30 Day Devotional to Wholeness, 7-Day Challenge

“Thriving After Sexual Abuse by Denise Bossarte is a timeless, inspiring, and intimate healing narrative for sexual assault survivors, their partners, and support professionals open to trying practical steps toward thriving beyond trauma histories. The key to Denise’s healing approach throughout this book encourages readers to “find what you need at your own pace,” as well as her remarkably intimate poetry and lists of creative outlets for finding personal joy.”—Hank Estrada, pioneer male survivor spokesman, author, artist; Prevention, Leadership, Education, Assistance (P.L.E.A), the National Organization for Male Survivors

“Thoughtful and sensitively written advice on how to cope with the aftermath of sexual abuse. Highly recommended!” A “Wishing Shelf” Book ReviewA ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review

"Being a medical doctor, I often try to help people who have suffered from sexual abuse. Although it saddens me to know such terrible things happen, I’m always heartened when I read a book of this nature which offers such a positive way forward for victims. In Thriving After Sexual Abuse, the author, a victim herself, offers constructive advice in terms of seeking help and ways in which victims can find future happiness and fulfillment. I thought this to be a very thoughtfully-written book, focusing not so much on the abuse itself, but on how victim can rise above it and reclaim his or her self-worth.Sadly, anybody can suffer from sexual abuse. So, for a book of this nature, accessibility is vital. Thankfully, the author of this book not only has a lot to say and a lot of help to offer, but she also happens to be an excellent writer. She knows how to put across a message, and to do so succinctly and without any fluff.I would be happy to recommend this book to anybody who works with victims of abuse, sexual or otherwise. I think it offers positive, practical advice which health workers would find most helpful when trying to find ways of assisting victims. Also, I think any victim of sexual abuse would find this book not only supportive, but also a shining light of hope that things can get better."

“Denise Bossarte’s new book, Thriving After Sexual Abuse, is painful, helpful, and hopeful; painful in the frank telling of sexual abuse at the hands of her grandfather; helpful in its detailed, step-by-step guide to acknowledging the problem and what to do about it; and hopeful in that Bossarte truly is thriving now and wants the same for you. I know; I’ve been on a similar journey and wish I had had this book when I was floundering. Bossarte is not a therapist, but you can trust her as a reliable guide to direct you to your next step on your path to healing.”—Joanne Spence, BSW, MA, C-IAYT, yoga teacher, and author of Trauma-Informed Yoga: A Toolbox for Therapists: 47 Simple Practices to Calm, Balance, and Restore the Nervous System

"The things I admire the most about Denise are her strength and how she has used her wisdom and knowledge to help and empower others to be thrivers just like she is. Her book is beautifully written and can be used as a personal guide and mentor, and I would recommend it to anybody looking to heal."--Anu Verma, a fellow survivor and author of Victim 2 Victor book and podcast show

“Denise Bossarte’s book Thriving After Sexual Abuse speaks from the heart about her childhood experience with sexual abuse. Her book is written in an easy-to-read format and provides a wealth of information for sexual abuse survivors. As a mental health professional, I believe this is an incredibly valuable resource to have on my shelf of go-to books when working with clients. I highly recommend Thriving After Sexual Abuse.”—Julie Burden, MEd, LPC

“Denise Bossarte courageously shares her experience of healing from childhood sexual abuse in a way that is vulnerable and accessible. In openly sharing her journey, she provides a rich resource for others embarking on, or in the midst of, their own journeys toward recovering with childhood sexual abuse.”—D. Skeetz Edinger, MS, LMFT, family therapist

“5 stars!! Denise’s book is a must read for anyone who has been though sexual trauma. Her insight and methods for overcoming such a tumultuous life event are enlightening.”—Tiffany Barnes, survivor, podcast host of Speak Loud, and founder of S.H.A.R.E.

“Like sitting down to coffee with an understanding friend, reading Denise Bossarte’s book offers companionship on the healing journey after sexual abuse. Drawing from personal experience and research, she provides a trail guide filled with creative healing tools, mindful reflections, and valuable resources that empower. You are not alone. This book can help you create a personalized path that takes you from surviving sexual abuse to thriving in your life.”—Rev. Jeniffer Hutchins, founding minister Unity Arts Ministry

“Denise Bossarte offers a straightforward, practical guide to anyone who has experienced sexual abuse and is exploring the first and next steps in addressing the personal and extended pain and hopelessness that this recognition can bring.  This is a practical book, born of her personal trauma and struggles to deal with it. The solutions she offers will apply to many, if not all, of those seeking a way through these particular hells and offer a step-by-step guide toward healing.”—Jake Lorfing, psychiatric RN (retired), meditation instructor

“Like a trusted friend, Denise takes you gently by the hand and guides you step by step on your path to healing from sexual abuse. Her gift of organization makes the book easy to read. At the end of each chapter, she encourages you and leads you to take action as you move closer toward wellness. By learning what has helped her transition to a life of thriving, you can create your own plan by incorporating what resonates with you. This book will bring comfort and guidance. Learn from Denise. She has paved the way for you.”--Kristin Fitzgerald Gutweiler, PA, yoga instructor

“I recommend Denise Bossarte’s book Thriving After Sexual Abuse to anyone who has gone through this experience. Denise offers her readers a smooth, compassionate and honest read on a difficult subject. She is genuinely interested in assisting others who share her experience so that they can heal and create the life they desire. This book offers helpful and practical suggestions for how a person surviving sexual abuse can begin and stay on the course of their personal healing journey. This information is coupled with simple and effective worksheets to keep the reader on track and focused. A Huge Thank You to Denise and her very special and important book.”—Selise Stewart, yoga teacher

“Denise Bossarte shares her inspiring journey of healing while assisting readers on their own journeys. Through meditation and other enriching methods, she discovered a space between her negative thinking and who she really was—whole and complete. Her path from Survivor to Thriver is filled with curiosity and creativity.”—Celeste Budwit-Hunter, meditation instructor

Well-written, thought-provoking, and sensitive, Bossarte’s Thriving After Sexual Abuse is a guidebook for a wide audience of readers who will immediately recognize its value whether they are survivors themselves or know someone who is.

Reviewed By Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite

Thriving After Sexual Abuse: Breaking Your Bondage to the Past and Living a Life You Love by Denise Bossarte is the heartrending memoir of the author's story, that of being a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and overcoming incest by her maternal grandfather. The book not only chronicles her traumatic sexual abuse but also speaks about the details of her healing journey. This book is for all survivors of sexual abuse and partners of survivors, and though the author's personal sexual abuse story might not resonate with theirs, it will definitely connect with their emotional, psychological, mental, and spiritual trauma. This memoir is about the author's story of healing, becoming a thriver and a survivor, and getting her life back on track to a brighter tomorrow.

Denise Bossarte's story is heartbreaking and her story will definitely help readers overcome abuse, become a thriver, and live the life they love. The book is raw and honest and every chapter has a working space with detailed information in the form of questions that can be used by readers if they need it. The tips and strategies to break out of survival mode, self-destructive behaviors, and unworthiness will help many readers whose lives have turned upside down due to sexual abuse. It will also help survivors of abuse to change their thinking patterns and take them on a path to a happier existence instead of leading a life filled with self-hatred, anger, disgust, and negativity. The author shares tools on how to break the cycle of self-blame and gives positive affirmations to practice. Her story will also help readers break free from their self-destructive behaviors and rebuild their self-confidence. Thriving After Sexual Abuse can be used by therapists and counselors to help their patients to heal from the trauma of sexual abuse.