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by Loren Ashley Galese (Author), Joseph Stewart (Cover Design by), Normajean Brown (Editor)
In this compelling narrative, the reader is guided by the author through the story of a college freshman who became entangled in a coercive control, a cult-like dynamic with her suitemates that ultimately culminated into the author being sexually assaulted, but the trauma didn't end there. Seeking to escape the trauma and find belonging, pledging a sorority appeared to be the best scenario, when in reality, the hazing rituals eerily mirrored the powerlessness she just survived. The lines between fear, loyalty, and identity blurred, which further dissociated the 19 year-old and she questioned her reality further. Coping meant alcohol and pills to numb the confusion and pain that no one seemed to see-or validate. Hitting a rock bottom a few years later, failing to outrun the ghosts, sobriety opened a door to deeper healing. Now a therapist herself, the author began to engage directly in intense trauma therapy to unravel the psychological programming that had kept her silent and disconnected by her fear and shame. This memoir reveals how easily someone can lose touch with their intuition when surrounded by groupthink and gaslighting. It's a story of reclaiming self-trust, recognizing coercion in unexpected places, and the long, nonlinear journey of healing.
