Songs for the Forgotten is an important book because not only does it talk about child abuse but also about the people who treat the victims. It is an account of how Dr Burns absorbed other people’s pains, how it affected her, and also how she found a way to recover.
Although she is brave, compassionate, and trained, Burns was deeply affected when she had to face the trauma of her patients. She often felt helpless when she watched abuse victims and their abusers walk away due to lack of evidence. She was also reminded that most perpetrators were victims in their childhood.
Dr Burns ultimately left the residential child welfare facility when she has secondary PTSD and a crisis of faith. However, by writing this book, she has tried to make the stories of abuse, trauma, and their enduring effect heard.
I have a Master’s degree in Social Work and have worked as a social worker for almost a decade. This book reminded me why I left the profession and changed careers. While I did not come across child abuse, each case or incident was heartbreaking and depressing. Moreover, it was a thankless job because the remuneration was a pittance and the hours long.
To sum up, this was a difficult book to read because of its content. However, it was worthwhile.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is depressing as it deals with child abuse but so very important for people to talk about. I'm not religious so that aspect didn't appeal to me. But the child psychiatry topic was fascinating yet heartbreaking. The secondary PTSD and burnout felt by the author was completely understandable. She is such an Inspiration and her work with abused children is amazing.