(Exerts from the Introduction) Tamar's Healing will not only address negative, toxic shame, but also speak to healthy, true shame, which is necessary as we journey toward our true selves. That's God's desire for this, God's people. My position is that African (Black) Americans' dealings with shame is a uniquely different phenomena because of the historical "training" or socialization African Americans have acquired and became accustomed to during and since slavery. Tamar's Healing will address many types of abuse, but will predominately deal with sexual abuse as depicted in 1 Samuel 13: 1 - 22. Sexual abuse must be discussed more openly because it is still a forbidden subject matter in many African American families and communities. Therefore, the overall goal of Tamar's Healing is to help bring people out of the darkness of misery and hopelessness into the light of God's glorious love. Far too countless people have experienced dark, traumatic events in their lives, and cannot findor see their way out. For many, it grows and festers, and has adverseaffects on their lives. In this book, I will not only address negative, toxic shame, but also speak to healthy, true shame, which is necessary as wejourney toward our true selves. That's God's desire for this, God'speople. Prayerfully, Tamar'sHealing will help me to "flesh out, " so tospeak, the concepts and direction I feel God will have me to utilize in orderto serve others in the counseling context.