A Stolen Life: A Memoir

Equine-assisted therapy is a healing modality using the participation of animals to help re-establish bonds of trust that have often been damaged in individuals recovering from abuse. During Jaycee’s early days in therapy, she learns more constructive coping mechanisms by performing interaction exercises with the animals on her psychiatrist’s horse ranch.

Although Jaycee doesn’t use this term in her book, gaslighting is commonly mentioned by psychiatrists as a tactic that narcissists and sociopaths use to subdue other people. The abuser will discredit the validity of the target’s perception of reality, thus causing them to question their own judgment and sanity. Jaycee says that Phillip always found a way to prove that she was wrong and that he was right. Her principal reaction to his behavior is profound confusion. This is the response that gaslighting is meant to provoke.

Just Ask Yourself to Care (JAYC) is a foundation created by Jaycee shortly after she regained her freedom. The stated goal of the organization is to help survivors of abuse to overcome psychological trauma by offering treatment programs that allow an individual to heal from within. Equine and animal therapy are featured, along with other healing modalities that are custom-tailored to help affected individuals and families.