The Pain We Carry: Healing from Complex PTSD for People of Color (The Social Justice Handbook Series)

This book is amazing. I'm a note taker and have a lot to follow up with and digest. The author is insightful and effective in connecting experiences of BIPOC to the feelings we feel within. As someone who has struggled with fully feeling my feelings, it was helpful to read the stories she shared and taught from.Natalie's style of writing is so warm that I felt like I was sitting in front of her discussing this. Her compassion is so palpable and welcoming.Finally, the book provides a plethora of practical practices that I can see myself fully implementing. This is a book I plan on revisiting many time over.

I believe this a book that belongs amongst the giants who dominate the field of mental health, therapy, and anti-racism scholars. This is a book that belongs with Brene Brown, Richard Schwartz, Gabor Maté, Joy DeGruy, Resmaa Menakem, and so many others. We need Natalie's voice where ever BIPOC healing is being discussed. If you are BIPOC and healing from trauma read this book. If you are a white-bodied person and you want to learn how to best treat BIPOC clients, read this book. If you are a mental health professional or healer get this book, read it, underline through out it. It's seriously one of the best books I've read and it is for BIPOC and by BIPOC. Thank you Natalie, I feel your ancestors spoke through you as you wrote each chapter.

I downloaded the audible version last week per a friend’s recommendation and two days later, I just had to order book to read along! This is the first book in years that I finish so quickly from start to finish and just keep going back to it! I feel seen!! I feel heard!!! I feel validated I feel that the author, Natalie Gutiérrez was telling my story from birth to present, even the story of my ancestors! She put into words the truths behind the complex lifetime traumatic experiences, those of us in BIPOC communities experience every single day! This book is easy to read and follow and I promise you, that you won’t want to put it down!!!As a mental health provider who specializes in treating clients with C-PTSD within BIPOC communities, I have utilized this book in sessions with clients and have recommended this book to all of my friends and colleagues.The Pain We Carry should absolutely become part of all academic curriculums, especially in colleges and universities, as well as utilized in trainings and workshops in an effort to continue growing the social Justice efforts in increasing cultural humility within all systems and institutions that have a long history of perpetuating injury, harm, and trauma unto People of Color!

The Pain We Carry is such an important contribution to our mental health. Natalie Gutierrez validates the suffering of BIPOC and makes sense out of our experiences. I love the practical exercises, meditations and journal prompts provided. It’s a comprehensive tool for all therapists and my one looking to heal ancestral wounds and present day oppression. I’m so thankful for this work of art. It’s reach will be immense. I hope all therapy focused programs adopt it.

This book clearly comes from the heart and validates so many experiences of pain, persistence and healing we as BIPOC folx go through. As a therapist, I have already recommended this book to most of my clients - and also fellow trainees in trauma therapy programs. Highly recommend for clinicians as well as regular folx as part of our learning and healing journeys. It will also make a great gift for the BIPOC loved ones in your life as they navigate social and cultural exclusion and oppression in this country.

Gutiérrez wrote a highly accessible and comprehensive trauma therapy 101 book that, though it contains complex concepts, provides an easy read for survivors. This was my first-read through, and I plan on returning to the physical book to work through the exercises. The exercises surely aren’t easy, but they seem very helpful to incorporate into my healing journey.The perspective provided in this book is one I’ve needed. I appreciate its existence.

This book helps with coping with certain traumas that minorities from then to modern day. The author is a genius

This book is for people of color who have experience great trauma. The journaling was the best part! Refreshing!! Must read.