{"product_id":"in-our-blood-a-memoir-9781647424152","title":"In Our Blood: A Memoir","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eCaitlin Billings is confident that she’s finally outrun her tumultuous past and achieved the stability she needs to maintain as a mother and a therapist—until a terrifying encounter with a man with a gun sends her spiraling into depression, suicidal ideation, and self-harm that only worsens when her eldest child begins to follow in her footsteps.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/blockquote\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFormat\u003c\/strong\u003e: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength\u003c\/strong\u003e: 280 pages\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublication date\u003c\/strong\u003e: 12 July 2022\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher\u003c\/strong\u003e: She Writes Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWhen Caitlin Billings embarked on her journey as a therapist, her primary goal was to heal the wounds of her past. She had no intention of reliving her mental health struggles or facing an involuntary psychiatric hold. However, life had other plans for her. As a mother and a mental health professional, Billings believed that she had overcome the challenges she had faced in her past. She mistakenly thought that those issues were permanently resolved.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnfortunately, the reality was far from her expectations. Over the years, Billings battled with bipolar disorder, while simultaneously raising two children and struggling to maintain her position as a clinician. She often felt overwhelmed and exhausted, as if she were constantly fighting to keep her head above water. Despite her best efforts, she began to experience a decline in her mental health when her elder child entered adolescence and started grappling with disordered eating and depressive symptoms.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFeeling a sense of responsibility for her child's struggles, Billings redirected her attention toward this new crisis, determined to keep her family together at any cost. However, the weight of her responsibilities began to take a toll on her, and she found herself questioning her ability to protect her children and maintain her own stability.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn a tragic turn of events, it came to light that sexual abuse had occurred in their home, further exacerbating Billings's mental health crisis. She struggled with feelings of guilt and shame, questioning her ability to be a mother and a clinician. The added stress of this revelation led to a relapse, and she found herself struggling to cope with the overwhelming emotions that consumed her.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAmidst this turmoil, Billings's elder child also came out as transgender, adding another layer of complexity to their lives. Billings was forced to confront her own biases and assumptions, as well as the challenges of supporting her child's transition. She grappled with the fear of losing her child and the fear of not being able to accept and love them for who they truly were.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBillings knew that she needed to find a way to accept the many changes and unexpected challenges that had arisen in her life. She had to learn to embrace the unexpected turns and find strength in the face of adversity. It was a difficult journey, but she was determined to overcome her struggles and emerge stronger on the other side.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThrough therapy and self-reflection, Billings began to understand the importance of self-acceptance and self-care. She realized that her journey was not just about healing her past but also about embracing her present and finding joy in the little things in life. She learned to set boundaries and prioritize her own needs, recognizing that she could not give her best to others unless she took care of herself first.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs she continued to navigate the complexities of her life, Billings found support in her family, friends, and colleagues. She leaned on her loved ones for emotional support, and she sought guidance from her mental health professionals to help her manage her symptoms and cope with the challenges that lay ahead.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThrough it all, Billings emerged as a resilient and inspiring woman. She faced her demons head-on and refused to let them define her. She showed her children and others around her that it is possible to overcome adversity and thrive in the face of uncertainty.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn conclusion, Caitlin Billings's journey as a therapist was filled with unexpected twists and turns. She battled with mental health challenges, faced personal crises, and had to navigate the complexities of raising a family. However, through her resilience and determination, she emerged stronger and more empowered than ever before. Her story serves as a reminder that healing is a lifelong process, and that it is possible to overcome even the most challenging circumstances with the right support and self-care.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e: 370g\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimension\u003c\/strong\u003e: 141 x 215 x 29 (mm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN-13\u003c\/strong\u003e: 9781647424152\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Caitlin Billings","offers":[{"title":"Paperback \/ softback","offer_id":44098821423354,"sku":"9781647424152","price":6.96,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0522\/4297\/2845\/products\/1660903619910_book.jpg?v=1661065365","url":"https:\/\/shulphink.com\/products\/in-our-blood-a-memoir-9781647424152","provider":"Shulph Ink","version":"1.0","type":"link"}