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by Rachel Cason (Author)
If you are an adult TCK, you probably sense that the multicultural, high mobility experiences of your childhood continue to impact your life in some way now.
Making sense of the impact of these experiences, however, can feel overwhelming, especially if we have long experience of our stories being met with bafflement and incredulity. My hope is that this collection of my thoughts over the last seven years of working with Third Culture Kids will create space for you to explore and make sense of the incredible life you've lived. As you read, I hope that you feel the invitation of community and belonging where you see your personal experience shared by so many others. So get comfortable, know you are oh-so welcome, and enjoy the journey! These pages are for you, offered with love and care to you from this TCK therapist. Praise for Incredible Lives and the Courage to Live Them: "This book will be familiar and comforting to repatriated ATCKs and a base of understanding for friends who have not shared such a childhood." Dr. Ann Baker Cottrell "I highly recommend to all adults who grew up between countries and cultures." Tanya Crossman "I cannot begin to describe how necessary and important this book is to the TCK world." Marilyn R. Gardner "It is a book of hope and will bring healing to many who struggle as I did with wondering how with such an incredible life, there can be places of quiet sadness and grief for no apparent reason." Ruth E. Van RekenRachel Cason was born in Niger, growing up between the mission field and city life "at home" in England, with a year or so in France as a teenager. Consciously not-belonging to any of the cultural landscapes she moved between, sociology became a lifeline when she realised it could make sense of her experiences in liminal spaces. An early observer of group dynamics, she continued to apply these skills at Keele University where she achieved dual honours in sociology and French. A masters followed, and then a doctorate which allowed her to focus exclusively on the experiences of Third Culture Kids of all ages and backgrounds around identity, belonging and relationship to place. This research was the catalyst for Life Story Therapies, where Rachel works with TCKs using methodology born directly from her research experiences.
Rachel's current focus is on working with adult TCKs to honour their stories so far, and compassionately support any changes they want to make for their future chapters. When she's not working, she's writing her own story - whose particular adventure right now is focused on settledness. To date this looks like getting to grips with home improvements, building local connection, exploring local landscapes, delighting in family life, and figuring out her relationship with her cat! Settling in a small Lincolnshire town has been her biggest adventure so far, with many trips, stumbles and clumsy successes that continue to challenge and enrich her story.
