Bruised Not Broken: Healing the Shame of a Troubled Childhood

Bruised Not Broken: Healing the Shame of a Troubled Childhood

For all of us who have felt "not good enough" and couldn't understand why. Do you struggle with self-doubt, people-pleasing, or the feeling that you're never quite "enough"? Have you tried therapy, self-help books, and personal growth courses—yet still struggle with self-doubt and the nagging feeling that something is inherently wrong with you ? These painful feelings aren’t just in your head. They’re often the result of unrecognized childhood shame —a deep, internalized belief that you are somehow flawed, unworthy, or fundamentally “not enough.” Shame isn’t just about what happened to you ; it’s also about what was missing —the love, safety, or emotional validation you needed but never received. In Bruised Not Broken , you’ll discover: Why shame is a survival response to fear you learned as a child—not a reflection of your worth - How shame disguises itself in adulthood , showing up as depression, anxiety, perfectionism, grandiosity, rage, or distrust - Practical, science-backed tools from trauma experts to help you break free from toxic shame and build resilience and self-confidence - The essential role of self-compassion in finally feeling “good enough” - How to work with the parts of yourself still trapped in past trauma - Real-life stories from the author and her clients , offering hope and inspiration for your own healing journey You don’t have to live under the tyranny of shame. Bruised Not Broken will help you break free from your past and step into the life you always deserved to live. 🔹 Start your journey today— order your copy now! Kristine Jensen's book is for anyone who wants to understand and overcome lifelong patterns of living in states of chronic shame. Grounding her work in a synchrony of theory and sharing everyday stories to illustrate her points, Jensen writes clearly and directly to those who struggle, offering much useful advice as well as kind company on their journey of healing. --- Patricia DeYoung, MSW, PhD, author of Understanding and Treating Chronic Shame: Healing Right Brain Relational Trauma and Shame and Grace: Six Essays on Falling Apart and Becoming Whole Again. Kristine Jensen dives deep into the subject of shame, addressing such issues as why shame is at the root of depression, anxiety, and feelings of unworthiness and how shame gets passed down from generation to generation through widely used parenting practices. Bruised Not Broken is filled with case examples and touching stories of Jensen's own struggles with shame. This healing book uses a wide-ranging variety of strategies, including self-compassion, self-soothing, and self-forgiveness to help anyone who suffers from deep shame, especially survivors of child abuse and neglect. I recommend this book to anyone who suffers from debilitating shame. --- Beverly Engel , author of Escaping Emotional Abuse: Healing the Shame You Don't Deserve and Freedom at Last: Healing the Shame of Childhood Sexual Abuse. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding how shame affects their emotional and social well-being. Relevant to a broad audience, including individuals, therapists, clients, and anyone engaged in exploring how shame manifests internally and influences their lives, Bruised Not Broken is skillfully written and offers comprehensive insights into the various facets of this debilitating syndrome. Each chapter includes helpful summaries, reflection questions, and practical activities, enhancing its value as a tool for personal growth and understanding. --- Phyllis Watts, PhD. Consulting and Clinical Psychologist Kristine Jensen offers profound insights into understanding and overcoming our critical inner voices and healing the early childhood wounds that gave rise to them. With specific, actionable steps, her guidance inspires hope and motivates us to embark on a transformative healing journey. ---Jacqueline Horn, PhD. Emerita Faculty, University California, Davis Bruised Not Broken is not just another book about childhood trauma. The clarity of Jensen's writing immediately establishes that the reader is in steady, knowing hands. Her stirring biography and background are told in raw detail. Not only does she establish the emotional foundation for her expertise, Kristine puts herself on the reader's eye level as someone who has experienced intense emotional trauma and, as a psychotherapist, has walked with many on a path to healing. As you read her book, you'll feel she is walking with you . ---James Faccinto, Founder Full-Complement