Level Up

Level Up: Healing Mode Activated is a bold, no-holds-barred guide for adolescent boys (ages 12–14) who have experienced sexual abuse—and for the parents and caregivers who want to help them heal. Written in a direct, teenage-friendly voice and packed with relatable metaphors (“shame is like carrying someone else’s trash,” “your feelings are a group chat with 100 unread messages”), this book breaks every silence and shame barrier that keeps survivors stuck in the past.

Across ten compassionate, action-packed chapters, readers will:

Name and normalize their pain (“What exactly is sexual abuse?” “Why am I feeling so guilty?”) and learn how physical reactions don’t mean consent.

Find courage to speak out (“Breaking the Silence”) and reclaim control over their own narrative.

Shatter self-blame (“It Was Not Your Fault”) and reframe shame as the abuser’s burden, not theirs.

Rebuild identity and self-worth through healthy definitions of masculinity, emotional honesty, and goal-setting.

Ditch destructive coping (“Why Acting Out Doesn’t Help”) in favor of proven strategies—journaling, movement, breathwork—that truly aid recovery.

Reconnect mind and body with simple self-care routines for sleep, nutrition, movement, and grounding.

Develop resilience skills for handling anger, anxiety, and sadness without shame or self-harm.

Map out healthy relationships built on respect, consent, and clear boundaries, learning how to date safely when the time is right.

Set a forward-looking plan (“Moving Forward – Your New Beginning”) with personalized goals, a trusted support network, and confidence-building practices.

Every chapter offers “Power Moves,” real-life workbook pages, and quick “Cheat Sheets” for both boys and their caregivers—making it easy to turn insight into action. Whether read solo or shared between parent and child, Level Up equips survivors with self-compassion, practical tools, and the unwavering message: Healing is not forgetting. Healing is choosing to level up.