March 10, 2025
Welcome to My Newsletter!
Thank you for being part of this community as we count down to the launch of my book, Girl, Groomed: A Therapist’s Memoir of Trauma, coming April 22. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes moments, personal reflections, and updates.
As a thank-you, I’m excited to give you an early sneak peek. Here’s an excerpt from the prologue…
By Carol Odell, LICSW
“I’m going to write a book about you someday,” I would sometimes insert at the end of his stories—my form of applause. I often expressed this intent back when he was my childhood mentor.
I imagined writing the story of growing up riding horses in Virginia for a “colorful” trainer. I would have cast him as the folklife hero of my story, describing the grit and tenacity that helped him build a horse business from scratch. He went on to buy his own stables, training riders and jumpers to compete against those with far more wealth and resources.
This would have been a prevailing-against-all-odds underdog story—one about my adoration for this man, my deep love for his horses, and my gratitude for the access he gave us.
“Well, what are ya waitin’ for?” he’d counter with that gold-toothed grin I’d come to associate with approval—and later, with caution.
What was I waiting for? I didn’t realize that the full truth of my narrative had yet to be revealed—even to myself. Back then, my vision was only set to portrait. His portrait, never mine.
📩 Stay tuned!
To be continued… Part 2 of the prologue will be in my next newsletter!
is a therapist and author of Girl, Groomed, sharing her personal story of trauma and healing. Her work blends professional expertise and personal insight to guide readers on their own journeys to resilience.
cfodellmsw@gmail.com
+1 (206) 291-2211
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