What happens when life breaks you—again and again? Can you ever truly heal, or is there something even greater waiting on the other side of survival?

In Broken in the Stronger Places, author Elizabeth A. Estabrooks, delivers a deeply moving and insightful memoir that intertwines her personal journey and professional experiences. From her time in the military to her departure from the Department of Veterans Affairs and a transformative year-long solitary road trip, Elizabeth unpacks the profound effects of post-traumatic stress and retraumatization.

Drawing on nearly three decades of working with survivors of violence, she weaves together her story with the voices of thousands of women she’s interviewed, offering a groundbreaking perspective on the continuum of trauma and healing. Elizabeth beautifully delves into psychology’s Kintsugi metaphor that survivors can become stronger in the broken places. Moving beyond resilience, she explores resourcefulness—the often-overlooked strength survivors call on to navigate the lifelong impacts of trauma, including the challenge of facing retraumatization.

Inside, you will travel with Elizabeth as she explores key issues like resilience and resourcefulness as she shares insights, and hope for survivors and their loved ones, alongside acknowledgement that healing is never truly “done.”
Whether you’re a survivor finding validation, a family member striving to understand, or a professional aiming to support survivors, this book offers invaluable wisdom, compassion, and hope.

Empowering, eye-opening, and deeply personal, Broken in the Stronger Places redefines what it means to endure, adapt, and thrive.

Begin your journey toward understanding and healing.