Overview

When people think of trauma, they think of the extremes: veterans of war, survivors of genocide, or malnourished refugees. Our minds instinctively consider those who have been exposed to the harshest realities our world has to offer. But in truth, trauma whether endured in childhood or experienced in adulthood (or both), is rather common and impacts millions of people. Trauma is often caused by interpersonal conflict, inflicted by one person on another. Unrealized, these traumas are passed down from generation to generation even when most parents insist, they will do better than their parents did. Drawing from her own personal experiences and professional expertise, Valerie Johns ""Ashes in the Milk"" bridges the gap between self-help, vulnerable narrative, and prose. Broken down into powerful, entrancing stanzas, readers are invited to find hope and solace in Valerie's writing, in search of their holistic healing and peace. ""Ashes in the Milk"" will remind readers that their greatest path to healing lies within--all they must do is walk down the path.

Full Product Details

9798350937695

Table of Contents

Reviews

""I was there at the famous Improvisation comedy club in Hollywood in the early 80s. I was there to witness my good friend courageously take the stage and try her hand at stand up. Having satisfied her curiosity, it would be her one and only time. Suddenly, 40 years later, I am here... holding in my hands Valerie's very moving and insightful memoir. It's a personal story of the trauma and tribulations she faced throughout her life. It is her journey of healing, lessons and ultimate resolve. I found myself rooting for my friend on every page. Quite honestly, Valerie's determination, fortitude and courage doesn't surprise me one bit because, lest we forget, I was there that night."" -- KEVIN NEALON, comic ""A poem that reads like a novel, Ashes in the Milk captures the wild roller coaster ride of a life that led one woman to become a respected Los Angeles psychotherapist. It is a journey through the rebellious free love days of the Seventies and Eighties, incorporating memories from infancy and the vivid dreams of her later years to make sense of a life that was nearly cut short at multiple junctures."" -- JIM CIRIGLIANO, documentary producer/writer ""In this poignant and poetic memoir, Valerie Johns unravels the tapestry of her life, weaving words that illuminate the corners of her pain and trauma, offering readers a raw and profound journey toward healing. Ashes in the Milk is a lyrical testament to the resilience of the human spirit and our capacity to gain enlightenment from the scars of our past."" -- CHRISTINA MCDOWELL, author of The Cave Dwellers

Author Information

Valerie Johns, MA, MFT is a poet, author, and therapist with a passion for helping others heal from their most deep-seated wounds. Professionally, Valerie is a lifelong writer, beginning in second grade when Mrs. Best put her first poem to music and the whole class sang it. As one of Jack Grape's first students in writing poetry by The Method, she went on to work as the Poet in Residence at Pacific Palisades Elementary School where she published the children's work, held poetry readings, and taught them how to write from their authentic voices. She has written blogs for sites like Elephant Journal and has published two children's books, ""Why a Fly?"" and ""What I Heard and What You Said."" As a clinician, Valerie earned a master's degree in clinical psychology and is trained in hypnosis and many mind-body therapies. She was also an adjunct professor at Antioch University, Los Angeles for 12 years, and has had a thriving private practice for over 30 years. Whenever she tells her story of recovery, she closes with the stories of finding her first horse, raising him as he raised her, and finding Buddhist-informed psychotherapy early in her career. Throughout each of her professional pursuits -- writing, and therapy-- Valerie has sought to use her love of prose and writing to help heal herself and others no matter their story. Through her newest work ""Ashes in the Milk"", she hopes to reach those who have long suffered in silence and have needed a bright light guiding them forward towards remembering their own stories and finding their deep healing.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available