Courage to Feel is a debut memoir and healing guidebook that challenges conventional narratives around trauma recovery, inviting readers to see emotional healing not as something to conquer, fix, or rush through, but as an act of courage, self-trust, and reclamation. Written in part for the 17-year-old version of herself who was sexually assaulted and searching for the guidance she wished she'd had, Tess blends deeply personal storytelling with trauma-informed education, somatic healing practices, and emotional resilience tools to reframe emotions as pathways to healing and personal transformation.
At a time when many survivors are still expected to "move on" or heal perfectly, Courage to Feel offers a compassionate roadmap for navigating shame, grief, anger, disconnection, and recovery. Featuring the voices of survivors from diverse backgrounds and generations, this book is both a personal journey and a collective conversation about resilience and what becomes possible when we reconnect with our bodies, emotions, and authentic selves.