Books
Coming January 2026!
The Cycle Breaker’s Guide to Healthy Relationships
A trauma-informed approach to understanding how unhealthy family patterns shape your relationships—and how to break the cycle
Healing from Parental Abandonment and Neglect
Move Beyond Insecure Attachment to Build Safety, Connection, and Trust with Yourself and Others
Do you blame yourself for being abandoned or neglected as a child, or suffer from poor self-esteem, anxiety, or depression as a result? Do you have deep feelings of shame, defectiveness, and insecurity that impact your life and relationships? If so, you are not alone. These are common experiences for survivors of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). But what happened to you as a child or young adult isn’t your fault. By understanding how you were affected, you can start on the path to healing.
“Finally! This is the book I wish I’d read when I was going through my own family trauma. Gillis has written what will surely be the go-to guide for making sense of a kind of pain that’s not much discussed. This book will absolutely change lives.”
- Jonathan Concoran, author of No Son of Mine
“Kaytlyn Gillis has filled a significant gap in self-help literature with her book, which focuses on meeting the needs of an often-overlooked group of trauma survivors.”
- Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, author of You Don’t Have to Forgive
“Kaytee balances clinical observations, research, and her own personal history to normalize and explain the invisible scars this type of childhood can inflict, and provides realistic strategies and practices to manage these types of traumas.”
- Robyn Koslowitz, PhD, author of Post-Traumatic Parenting
⭐ 2024 Distinguished Favorite for the NYC Big Book Award⭐2024 Literary Titan Award Winner! ⭐ 2024 Finalist for the Book Excellence Award!
⭐ 2024 Distinguished Favorite for the NYC Big Book Award⭐2024 Literary Titan Award Winner! ⭐ 2024 Finalist for the Book Excellence Award!
BREAKING THE CYCLE
THE 6 STAGES OF HEALING FROM CHILDHOOD FAMILY TRAUMA
Most of us are only starting to become aware of how our past contributes to who we are today.
For many, understanding our trauma is not about blame, but about understanding, learning, and growing.
Using elements from her clinical work, as well as personal experience, Gillis provides support and tips for survivors navigating 6 common stages of healing.
No matter where you are in your journey — only just uncovering, becoming more aware, or supporting a loved one in their process —this book will help.
Breaking the Cycle is an insightful read and a testament to Gillis’s contributions to psychotherapy and literature. Her ability to transform complex psychological concepts into accessible knowledge is commendable. This book is a vital resource for anyone on a journey of healing or seeking a deeper understanding of the human condition.
- Literary Titan
IT’S NOT “HIGH-CONFLICT” IT’S POST-SEPARATION ABUSE.
WHEN ABUSERS WEAPONIZE THE COURTS AS A FORM OF RETALIATION.
The family court system is meant to protect domestic violence victims, yet too often, it becomes an endless labyrinth that traps them inside. Abusers weaponize our judicial system to instill their revenge, and when our judicial system fails to protect victims from this abuse, they give abusers the freedom to continue it. Legally.
“This book is a gem for those experiencing post-separation abuse from an intimate partner! As a retired therapist who specialized in intimate partner abuse therapy, I wish I'd had it for clients going through this never-ending cycle of abuse..."
-Jennifer Parker, LCSW, Author of "Coercive Relationships: Find the Answers You Seek
INVISIBLE BRUISES
HOW A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PATTERNS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAN HELP SURVIVORS NAVIGATE THE LEGAL SYSTEM
A powerful read for survivors, those in the mental health fields, and people in the legal system, this book draws on Gillis’s personal and clinical experiences as a psychotherapist to offer a unique insight into the gaps in the legal system that actually perpetuate the cycle. With a detailed account of the court system and the seemingly endless struggles survivors face throughout this slow and lengthy process, this eye-opening book gives insight into the ways that we can improve the court and legal system.
“…a deeply personal, extraordinarily powerful and often painful look at the pattens of domestic violence; the consequences of staying versus leaving and the labyrinth of our legal system”.
- Amazon Review
Guided Reflection Journal for Cycle Breakers
A guided reflection journal for those of us trying to break the cycle of trauma