Lost Child: The True Story of a Girl Who Couldn't Ask for Help

The first new book from beloved therapist and writer Torey Hayden in almost fifteen years—an inspiring, uplifting tale of a troubled child and the remarkable woman who made a difference.

In a forgotten corner of Wales, a young girl languishes in a home for troubled children. Abandoned by her parents because of her violent streak, Jessie—at the age of ten—is at risk of becoming just another lost soul in the complex foster system.

Precocious and bold, Jessie is convinced she is possessed by the devil and utterly unprepared for the arrival of therapist Torey Hayden, a specialist in child psychology. Armed with patience, compassion, and unconditional love, Hayden begins working with Jessie once a week. But when Jessie makes a stunning accusation against one of Hayden’s colleagues – a man Hayden implicitly trusts – Hayden’s work doubles: now she must not only get to the root of Jessie’s troubles, but also find out if what the girl alleges is true.

A moving, compelling, and inspiring true story, Lost Child is a powerful testament once again of Torey Hayden’s extraordinary ability to reach children who many have given up on—and a reminder of how patience and love can ultimately prevail.

But how do you save a child who believes she is beyond saving?

• Reactive Attachment Disorder: A gripping, real-life look into Jessie’s manipulative and often frightening behavior, rooted in a diagnosis that makes connection nearly impossible.
• Childhood Trauma and Neglect: An unflinching account of the devastating effects of early neglect and the complex lies Jessie tells in order to survive.
• A High-Stakes Investigation: The search for the truth after Jessie makes a stunning and potentially career-ending allegation against one of Torey’s most trusted colleagues.
• The Power of Emotional Healing: A powerful reminder of how one dedicated person’s patience and unconditional love can break through to a child everyone else has given up on.