Believing Me

Healing from Narcissistic Abuse and Complex Trauma

By: Ingrid Clayton

Narrated by: Ingrid Clayton PhD

"Why don’t you come sit on my lap, so you don’t have to crank your neck?"

I didn’t have bruises.

She never left him.

He didn’t actually rape me.

Maybe I wasn’t worth believing.

Maybe it wasn’t that bad.

What if emotional abuse is so hidden that its effects remain unchallenged for decades, masquerading as personal failings?

Believing Me is an emotionally gripping memoir that gives language to the hidden and ineffable nature of childhood trauma and how it can imprint on a person, resulting in fractured self-esteem, addictions, perfectionism, and a string of abusive relationships.

Ingrid Clayton had been in the pursuit of healing for a lifetime including becoming a clinical psychologist and trauma therapist, but she never fully understood what she was healing from. Growing up in a fog of gaslighting made her question her reality. It wasn’t until she sat next to Dr. Bessel van der Kolk (The Body Keeps the Score) as he shared a case study so similar to her life that a seed was planted. “Trauma” might be a word that was personal to her.

When her stepfather died, Ingrid felt a calling to write her story, and these were the truths reflected in her words. By recounting vivid childhood memories, she wrote her way through patterns of lies and denial that had infected her entire family. She came to face the feelings she had minimized for so long.

By reclaiming her story, Ingrid transcended the role of healer into someone becoming healed, showing us what real healing looks like in the process.

©2022 Ingrid Clayton, PhD (P)2022 Ingrid Clayton, PhD

Should be Required Listening for every human!!

Beautifully written and read!! I finished in 2 days… I couldn’t stop listening!
As a survivor and fellow Overcomer of chronic complex trauma and narcissistic abuse- I FELT every emotion and physical sensation in my body as the author told her story… or was she telling My story….? While circumstances differed - the results were the same. What a relief, comfort, sense of true freedom I experienced while listening to Believing Me.
Thank You Ingrid Clayton for taking the risks and going thru the battle to tell your story and share it with the world. I am more my Self as a result of your work.

Thank You

I am so grateful to you for sharing your experiences. You gave me a name for what I have experienced which is childhood trauma.

Thank you for your voice!!!

Ingrid thank you for your voice! My childhood was my siblings and I constantly walking on egg shells. Your story truly spoke to my heart. I have been in therapy on and off my entire life (I’m 47). I’ve definitely come to realize that my healing from my abusive stepfather and my mother who never protected me is a lifetime project.
You gave me the words and definitions that I needed and I intend on doing some more work on myself.
Thank you Ingrid!

Life changing, validating and inspiring

This book changed my life for the better. Thank you for helping me on my healing journey. I will be recommending this book to others for the rest of my life.

Relatable and Empowering with stuck shame

Dr. Ingrid Clayton is extremely relatable and kind in her book, “believing me.” I recommend this book to all complex trauma survivors, especially those who feel stuck in their ability to heal.