COMING to VOICE: Surviving an Abusive Therapist
by Bernadine Fox
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Why read Coming to Voice?
When trust is weaponized, healing becomes survival.
Coming to Voice is the harrowing and courageous true story of Emma—a survivor of profound trauma—whose life was once saved by her therapist, a celebrated expert in child sexual abuse. That same therapist would later become one of her most devastating abusers.
Told in third person, this memoir traces Emma’s journey from silence to speaking out, navigating the unbearable tension between the public admiration of a respected feminist figure and the private betrayal Emma endured at her hands. In 2015, a year after her therapist’s death, a sexual assault centre announced an event to honour her legacy. Emma could no longer remain silent.
In an era shaped by the #MeToo movement, Coming to Voice offers a rare and necessary exploration of therapist abuse—where power is cloaked in care and exploitation is disguised as help. It speaks directly to the survivors who have been dismissed, disbelieved, or left without language for their experiences.
This book is a vital contribution to conversations about coerced consent, power, professional ethics, and the long road to reclaiming one’s voice. Whether you're a survivor, clinician, ally, or advocate, Coming to Voice is a raw and deeply important account that will challenge assumptions and break open silences that have existed far too long.
When trust is weaponized, healing becomes survival.
Coming to Voice is the harrowing and courageous true story of Emma—a survivor of profound trauma—whose life was once saved by her therapist, a celebrated expert in child sexual abuse. That same therapist would later become one of her most devastating abusers.
Told in third person, this memoir traces Emma’s journey from silence to speaking out, navigating the unbearable tension between the public admiration of a respected feminist figure and the private betrayal Emma endured at her hands. In 2015, a year after her therapist’s death, a sexual assault centre announced an event to honour her legacy. Emma could no longer remain silent.
In an era shaped by the #MeToo movement, Coming to Voice offers a rare and necessary exploration of therapist abuse—where power is cloaked in care and exploitation is disguised as help. It speaks directly to the survivors who have been dismissed, disbelieved, or left without language for their experiences.
This book is a vital contribution to conversations about coerced consent, power, professional ethics, and the long road to reclaiming one’s voice. Whether you're a survivor, clinician, ally, or advocate, Coming to Voice is a raw and deeply important account that will challenge assumptions and break open silences that have existed far too long.
The #metoo movement brought to light the ways in which those in power took advantage of those without power. More and more we are hearing about professionals who transgress their ethical boundaries with clients and cause grave harm. While this has been happening for centuries, the #metoo movement brought it, along with other forms, back into the spotlight. Coming to Voice is a memoir in third person that examines one account of how a therapist, a well-known expert in the field of violence, sexually-exploited her client.
Foreword by (excerpt):
Dr Colin Ross, in the Foreword, writes, “Bernadine Fox is doing other survivors of sexual misconduct by professionals a great service by telling her story. Such misconduct is not rare, whether the professional be a therapist, priest, doctor, camp counselor, gymnastics coach or a football coach. Telling such a story takes a lot of courage. Pamela Sleeth was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Her obituary lauds her for her many contributions to helping women survivors of sexual trauma. Now the full story is being told.” (full Foreword)
Dr Colin Ross, in the Foreword, writes, “Bernadine Fox is doing other survivors of sexual misconduct by professionals a great service by telling her story. Such misconduct is not rare, whether the professional be a therapist, priest, doctor, camp counselor, gymnastics coach or a football coach. Telling such a story takes a lot of courage. Pamela Sleeth was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Her obituary lauds her for her many contributions to helping women survivors of sexual trauma. Now the full story is being told.” (full Foreword)
Introduction by (excerpt):
P. Susan Penfold in the Introduction offers, “In this memoir we can see how the therapist, Pamela, repeatedly abandoned her fiduciary duty to Emma, seeking to meet her own needs, and manipulating, coercing and humiliating Emma. … Although profoundly damaged by the abuse and its after effects, Emma’s intelligence, determination, resilience, and insight allow the memoir to end on a hopeful note as Emma fully realizes the enormity of [Pam’s] betrayal and exploitation and can begin healing.” (full Introduction)
P. Susan Penfold in the Introduction offers, “In this memoir we can see how the therapist, Pamela, repeatedly abandoned her fiduciary duty to Emma, seeking to meet her own needs, and manipulating, coercing and humiliating Emma. … Although profoundly damaged by the abuse and its after effects, Emma’s intelligence, determination, resilience, and insight allow the memoir to end on a hopeful note as Emma fully realizes the enormity of [Pam’s] betrayal and exploitation and can begin healing.” (full Introduction)
Nine out of ten victims of exploitation by their therapists
do NOT report.
Bernadine is working to change that.
do NOT report.
Bernadine is working to change that.
If you have or know someone who has experienced abuse at the hands of their therapist and you need support or resources reach out to TELL - Therapist Exploitation Link Line
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Available on Amazon
also available on Amazon
New Pamphlet !!!
free to download here
Pamphlet for download on what clients need to know about Therapy Abuse and Exploitation.
Feel free to copy and distribute to those who might need this information.
Download (english) pamphlet here
Also available in Spanish
Also available in Spanish
Bernadine is an award-winning mental health advocate
Bernadine Fox was awarded a Courage to Come Back award in the Mental Health Category for not only surviving a really bad childhood - but her ongoing work as a mental health advocate over the last 30+ years.
Truly an honour.
