About the Author

Janyne McConnaughey, Ph.D. retired from a forty-year career in education while healing from the attachment wounding and trauma she experienced as a child. During therapy, she wrote her way to healing and now is redeeming her story by helping others to understand the lifelong effects of childhood trauma and insecure attachment. Janyne serves on the Board of Directors for the Attachment & Trauma Network and is a frequent guest blogger for the organization. She also blogs at her own Website (Janyne.org), and for other organizations addressing trauma and attachment. Though Janyne devotes most of her time to writing about trauma and attachment related topics, she also speaks to educators and to church ministry leaders, at conferences, schools, and through podcast interviews. She can be contacted through her Website. Janyne enjoys living in and exploring the Seattle area with her husband, Scott, children, grandchildren, and her rescue dog, Weber. Her favorite activity is to follow her GPS to "green spaces" along the coast of Puget Sound. To Find Janyne online, visit: Website: http: //Janyne.org Twitter: @janynetweets Instagram: https: //www.instagram.com/drjanynemc/ Facebook: http: //www.facebook.com/janynemc/

Reviews

"Author Janyne McConnaughey writes out of her own life experiences and succeeds in explaining the complex feelings and fantasies that surround suicidal thoughts. In a direct, nonjudgmental and loving voice, she offers affirmations and suggestions for those harboring life-ending thoughts. Families and friends of those suffering will glean wisdom, as well, and after reading this important book, will be better able to assist those loved ones who are at risk. McConnaughey is to be commended for coming out of the darkness to shine a light on issues that usually remain hidden; issues that wreak chaos and damage to individuals who carry childhood pain long into adulthood. How I wish everyone could have access to this profound book as its message of healing and recovery are urgently needed in our world."
-Susan Jenkins
educator and author (Scandalon)"Trauma is about fear and hurting. Healing is about relationship and safety. Relationship needs hope and faith. In this book, Janyne, Non-Janyne, Jane, and all the children we have come to love from her first two books, come together to teach us about resilience. All of the beautiful, vulnerable voices tell a difficult truth that leaves the reader feeling more connected to his/her faith."
-Melissa Sadin, EdD, MAT, M.Ed."In her third book, Janyne addresses what her readers have been thinking, 'How did Dissociative Identity Disorder affect her day-to-day life as an adult?' In her captivating story-telling way, Janyne answers that question as she takes us along on the journey of her sometimes-confused life that ultimately leads to her Emerald City."
-LESLIE R. MIKESELL, Ph.D."This engaging and poignant book is an invaluable window into childhood trauma, dissociative disorder, and the heart of Jesus. It has fine-tuned my radar and helped me to recognize and relate more effectively to congregants whether we're doing the work of the church or they are seeking counseling. The failure of the church to protect and support Janyne at critical times in her life is truly heartbreaking. We can do better; we must do better! This book can school us to be more aware, more sensitive, more like Jesus to children and adults who have suffered trauma. In this page turner, Janyne cleverly weaves her story with Dorothy of Oz in a way that is both illuminating and entertaining. I highly recommend it for anyone in ministry."
-Rev. Susan Armstrong
D.M.A., Pastor of Care and Discipleship, Reynoldsburg, OH
Church of the Nazarene"Most books on mental health available to those in ministry are theoretical or written by individuals who are antagonistic toward the organized church. A Brave Life is written autobiographically by a woman who grew up in the church and still loves the church though she has experienced its failures and insensitivity. I appreciate the grace with which she relates how the church failed her, the clarity with which she shares her struggle with guilt and shame, and the candidness with which she tells her journey to mental health. Every person in ministry, courageous enough to read A Brave Life, will recognize the need to become more caring toward adults within their ministry who evidence indications of childhood trauma."
-Al Magnuson
retired executive minister, Converge Heartland