Amen Mark!  Speaking from personal experience, it has been a long path to
 recovery.  The pain from childhood abuse never fully goes away, I think, but
 it does ease with time.  I was a wild teenager, and didn't really abuse anyone
 but myself, but that was bad enough.  In a sick way, I thought I deserved it. 
 My life changed when I started cultivating myself and when I saw a therapist. 
 I had a great one, an older female lady who was a hippie.  I would love to add
 more, but I'm at Mom's house and it's din-din time!  :)  
Lovin Y'all,
Julia