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 ixBooks and Programs xAbout the Cover xiIntroduction xiiiOpening Session: Introduction to the Program 1Optional Yoga Exercise: Seated Centering and Breathing 12Module A: Self 13Session 2. Defining Self 15Session 3. Sense of Self 25Session 4. Self-Esteem 31Session 5. Sexism, Stereotyping, and Power 35Yoga Module A: Breath of Joy to Rag Doll to Lip Flutter 43Module B: Relationships 47Session 6. Family of Origin 49Session 7. Mothers 55Session 8. Mother Myths 59Session 9. Fathers 63Session 10. Understanding Abuse and Trauma 67Session 11. Interpersonal Violence 79Session 12. Creating Supportive and Loving Relationships 91Yoga Module B: Feminine Warrior Sequence 107Module C: Sexuality 113Session 13. Sexuality and Addiction 115Session 14. Body Image 127Session 15. Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation 135Session 16. Challenges to Healthy Sexuality 145Session 17. Healthy Sexuality 155Yoga Module C: Essential Oil Embrace into Awesome Arms/Goddess Pose 167Module D: Spirituality 171Session 18. What Is Spirituality? 173Session 19. Mindfulness, Prayer, and Meditation 179Session 20. Creating a Vision 185Yoga Module D: Blessing Body, Mind and Spirit 193Appendix 1. Additional Recovery Resources 197Appendix 2. Redefining Gender 203Feedback Form 207