Our Encounters with Madness

All the authors of these stories have suffered: some from what was inflicted on them as children, some from demons that seem to have been simply part of who they are or were and some the failure - at worst betrayal - of what are supposed to be helping professions. The authors have also found resources for survivial, and change, and the discovery of purpose in their lives - Which is why I understand this book as an exemplar of narrative healing. Professional intervention might begin with offering people the great gift of examples not to imitate, but from which to draw resources, which is what this book does. Professor Author Frank, from the foreword. The various authors in this book are engaged in making sense of their encounters with madness, by telling stories. Read those stories and you may well appreciate something of 'what' they have encountered. Reflect on their stories and you may well appreciate better your own 'self ' and your myriad encounters with life and its inherent madness. Professor Phil Barker, from the Foreword