But I'm Not a Therapist

Watch for a new resource, sponsored by CCLOW and funded by the National Literacy Secretariat-But I'm Not a Therapist.

But I'm Not a Therapist examines in-depth, the links for women between literacy learning and trauma. It is based on a national research study that revealed the wide range of impacts that trauma has on adult learning.

A large percentage of the women who come to adult literacy programs have experienced or are currently experiencing violence in their lives. This experience of violence negatively impacts on their ability to improve their literacy skills. Literacy programs and other educational programs have not integrated this reality into their work. During the research, many literacy workers revealed that frequently most, if not all, of the women in their classes had experienced physical or sexual abuse. This research makes it clear that without an acknowledgement of the impacts of trauma on learning, women, rather than getting a chance to succeed and improve their literacy skills, get only a chance to fail, to confirm to themselves that they really can NOT learn.

This book is directed to all those involved in the adult literacy field. It will also be of interest to other educators of adults and social activists. There is currently virtually nothing written that takes up issues of trauma in relation to their impact on learning. This book will be an important intervention in the discussion about violence in society. It is solidly grounded theoretically, yet accessible and easy to read. It bridges the gulf that is often present between academic, theoretical work and activist, practical work. It is full of clear examples that will be much in demand by anyone involved in teaching.

The researcher and author, Dr. Jenny Horsman, is a community educator/researcher with a feminist perspective. Based in Toronto, she carries out research, writing, curriculum development, training and facilitation projects in literacy and workplace training. Jenny has written numerous articles on literacy as well as the book, "Something in My Mind besides the Everyday: Women and Literacy." She is particularly interested in strengthening links between adult literacy theory and practice. Her current work builds on her research on trauma and learning, and explores possible changes in literacy programs to serve survivors of trauma better.