I am a therapist specializing in cPTSD. There are many well-written aspects of this book and it is well-researched. However, as a psychotherapist specializing in PTSD and cPTSD, I have a few issues: 1. Just because someone has a PhD does not make them a good therapist. It’s not about book smarts or education. It’s about how one can connect to and work with the relational aspects of trauma. These comments about MA vs PhD pissed me off. I am not a PhD, mostly because I have an education background in biochemistry and neuroscience (undergraduate degrees), having worked in biotechnology for 15 years. I don’t need a PhD to have knowledge and skill to address relational trauma. 2. I am a certified EMDR therapist, trained in 2001. I have been using EMDR therapy in my practice for over 20 years with consistently effective results in addressing cPTSD. I also have a cohort of excellent somatically-based colleagues who also effectively treat cPTSD, most of us lowly MA or MS-level LPC’s or LCSW’s (not PhD’s). Not all EMDR therapists are created (or trained) equally. Check out Dr. Arielle Schwartz, a friend and exceptionally skilled colleague. Yes, a PhD but that’s not what makes her exceptional. Check out her books and videos. 3. I am also trained in IFS. “Mr. Sweater Vest” is not representative of IFS, as presented in this book. At all, sadly. “The Hulk” as presented here is a “part” that served as a protector. Too bad it apparently wasn’t addressed. And no mention of Self energy? There are many poignant aspects of this well-written book. I have compassion and appreciation for the author and her courage to heal. However, I am frustrated by her cynicism and negativity, painting a slanted portrayal of effective approaches to healing cPTSD.

This is a beautifully written story of trauma, healing, and the power of love. This is a memoir, not a trauma manual or self-help book; the author is clear about that. It is the author’s personal story. She is not a mental health professional. I only mention this because some reviewers have complained about that. That being said, personal stories have always been an important way that humans share experiences, knowledge, and teachings. I have gained so much from reading Stephanie Foo’s story. As a someone pursuing a graduate degree in psychology and as someone with C-PTSD - I found this book so informative regarding trauma, C-PTSD, abuse, generational trauma, and healing. I also found it beautiful, inspiring, and it helped me in so many ways- too many for me to list here. Everyone will have different healing journeys and most will not follow a linear path. Even if the things that helped Stephanie don’t resonate with you, there is still much to gain from reading her story. For me, it was helpful that her experiences were so different from my own because I was less likely to become triggered and was better able to take in the things she was writing about. I still had to stop and take breaks (I normally can read a book this length in less than a day) and I took my time reading it. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in trauma, C-PTSD, human behavior as well as to anyone who is interested in humans, the human experience, and beautiful storytelling. I will be purchasing additional copies to give to friends and family. P.S. it is also a love story about self-love, romantic love, familial love, and the love found in friendships.

This book! This book! This absolute gem of a book!!! In a year where I’ve devoured countless remarkable autobiographies—each one a testament to the human spirit’s resilience, fortitude, and the triumph over unimaginable adversities—none has left me as deeply moved, as utterly transformed, as Stephanie Foo’s "What My Bones Know." Stephanie Foo has created something extraordinary. Yes, her life alone—marked by a childhood so harrowing, it’s almost unbearable to contemplate—could have provided enough material for a powerful, emotional memoir. But this book is so much more than that. It transcends the personal and delves into the universal, becoming a lifeline for anyone who has ever grappled with trauma, with the scars that are etched not just in our minds but in the very marrow of our bones. What makes "What My Bones Know" stand out is Foo's fearless, unflinching willingness to be open and vulnerable, not just about the trauma she endured, but about the messy, non-linear journey to healing. She doesn’t present her story as a neat narrative of overcoming; instead, she invites us into the chaotic, often excruciating process of recovery. She shares not only her victories but also her setbacks, her moments of despair and doubt, making this book a true reflection of the complicated reality of living with trauma. But Foo doesn’t stop at sharing her personal story. She goes further, offering a deeply researched exploration of trauma—its roots, its impacts, and, most importantly, the many paths to coping and healing. She examines the intersections of trauma with issues of racism, sexism, and classism, making her book not just a memoir, but a critical analysis of how societal structures can compound individual suffering. This intersectional approach is both enlightening and empowering, providing readers with a broader understanding of their own struggles and the tools to address them. Moreover, Foo’s commitment to helping others is evident in every page. She shares large portions of her therapy sessions, making this book a resource for those who might not have access to the same level of care. This generosity, this willingness to expose the rawest parts of herself for the benefit of others, is what truly makes this book one of the most important works on healing and trauma that I have ever read. I have recommended "What My Bones Know" to all my friends and acquaintances because it is not just a book—it’s a gift. It’s a companion for those dark nights of the soul, a guide through the tangled woods of trauma, and a beacon of hope that healing, though arduous and painful, is possible. Stephanie Foo has given us a masterpiece, a book that will resonate in your bones long after you’ve turned the last page. If you read only one book this year, let it be this one. "What My Bones Know" is an extraordinary, life-affirming work that has the power to change the way we understand trauma, healing, and the human capacity for resilience. This book is, quite simply, a triumph.