Sophie Olson, child sexual abuse survivor, activist and founder of The Flying Child CIC, couldn’t speak about the abuse she endured as a child. She was about to give up on therapy altogether, when her therapist and co-author, said something which would change everything. "As I was walking out the door, Pat said to me, 'Try writing it as a fairy story. Try detaching from it altogether. Start with the words, Once upon a time there was a girl.' So, I went home, and I started to write. And I wrote and wrote and wrote and wrote. It was an amazing feeling - it was such a release." That fairy story became the Cautionary Fairy Tale for Adults which forms the basis of the book. Woven into the book is another tale – the journey Pat and Sophie took together via face-to-face sessions, emails, WhatsApp messages and phone conversations. Essential reading for all therapists, counsellors, health professionals, educators, and social workers, interested in understanding or working with survivors of child sexual abuse, and most importantly for those who are survivors of sexual abuse, The Flying Child – A Cautionary Fairy Tale for Adults is a must-have for your bookshelf.
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THE FLYING CHILD
A Cautionary Fairy Tale For Adults
by
Sophie Olson and Patricia Walsh
Finding a purposeful life after Child Sexual Abuse through compassionate and creative therapy
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Available to buy from all major bookshops including Waterstones, Foyles and Blackwell's
Editorial Reviews
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This is a powerful and inspiring account of one person’s journey to recovery after childhood abuse. It gives hope to us all.
Dr Lucy Johnstone, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Co-author of The Power, Threat, Meaning Framework
A powerful and courageous account, providing valuable insight for professionals.
Kate Regan, NSPCC Team Manager
In short – this is a very important book. Whether you’re a survivor of trauma or a therapist, whether you seek or offer healing, whether you simply want to understand humans, our capacity for harm and for recovery; or whether you’re an artist who wants to witness art in a living context at its raw and powerful best.
Clare Shaw, Writer, and Activist
The Flying Child simultaneously locates the reader in humanity’s darkest and brightest, most hopeful hour.
Jenny Horgan, Author, Columnist Irish Examiner, Teacher
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About Pat
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Pat Walsh is an experiential and intuitive counsellor with over forty years experience of working in trauma. Her background in nursing and occupational therapy taught her that to heal properly, wounds must be deeply cleansed, and purpose and meaning must be established to build any long -lasting recovery. Her ongoing studies in Eastern Philosophy and Medical Qigong have integrated these two approaches to healing, bringing a gentle and profoundly new approach to her therapeutic work with survivors of sexual violence and childhood trauma.
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On 20 February 2024, SHaME hosted its final in person event, a book launch and book signing with Sophie Olson, Patricia Walsh, and ZunTold. Authors Sophie Olson, Patricia Walsh and a panel of speakers, including poet, writer and activist Clare Shaw, GP Jonathon Tomlinson and SHaME’s Director, historian Ruth Beecher, came together for a conversation about how the book came to be written, the harmful silences around child sexual abuse, the challenges of navigating the medical sphere and support services, and ultimately how Sophie and Patricia worked relationally, and courageously to approach the aftermaths of child sexual abuse (CSA). The evening featured readings from the book, a panel discussion, and a brief audience Q&A.
Birkbeck Launch
Online Launch
In November 2024, Sophie Olson and Patricia Walsh, along with their publisher Elaine Bousefield, joined A Disorder 4 Everyone for A Celebration of the Publication of The Flying Child. They were joined by survivors and professional allies from around the world, united in their commitment to 'looking beyond the label'. The event was a testament to the importance of rejecting the pathologisation of trauma. With shared voices and a collective determination, the gathering reinforced the urgent need for change in how we understand and support those with lived experience.
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About ZunTold
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ZunTold are a publishing company and therapeutic service offering bibliotherapy. They are based in Manchester, UK.
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