Out of the Fire

Healing Black Trauma Caused by Systemic Racism Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

By: Jennifer Shepard Payne PhD LCSW, Robyn D. Walser PhD - afterword

Narrated by: Machelle Williams

As Black people, we are more likely to face a traumatic experience or suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But being Black is about more than the violence that has been perpetrated against us. It also means living a life of dignity and self-worth. We can pull ourselves out of the fire of painful experiences and gain the psychological flexibility needed to thrive, not just survive. This book will help guide you.

In Out of the Fire, Black clinician and professor Jennifer Shepard Payne presents culturally tailored acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) skills to help you heal from trauma, so you can live a meaningful life that is in tune with your own values. The ACT approach in this guide is empowering, strength-based, and non-pathologizing. As you listen, you will come to understand that your suffering is not a sign of dysfunction, but rather a product of circumstances and your experience. Once you face the pain of trauma head on, you will discover the tools needed to feel whole.

Recovering from trauma in all its forms is something that we desperately need as Black people. Whether you are experiencing mental pain as a result of race-based trauma, or have lived through a personal traumatic experience, this book can help you take the first steps needed to heal and live the life you deserve.

©2022 Jennifer Shepard Payne (P)2023 Tantor

What I Needed to Hear!

This book spoke directly to me! It’s like pressure off of my soul to be able to listen to someone put into words what I just couldn’t process all these years! It calmed my fires…my rage. It brought me some peace and understanding and things to really think about. Thank you.

This was an enjoyable listen!

The book overall was written extremely well, and the concepts, analogies, and story references were apropos. I will definitely start this one over for a second listen. Excellent work!