Author discusses Appalachia issues at book event
Coverage from the Bedford Gazette on Rayelle’s discussion of Appalachia, structural harm, and the ideas behind the book.
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Writing
Exploring the intersections of trauma, identity, and place.
I write about cultural, relational, and generational trauma, Appalachian identity, and the psychological consequences of living within long-standing social and economic systemic inequality.
My work bridges clinical insight with cultural analysis, centering lived experience without reducing it to pathology.
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Book
Money in the Mountains: The Cultural Trauma of Appalachia
Money in the Mountains: The Cultural Trauma of Appalachia uses Appalachia as a lens to examine how dominant American narratives about money, morality, responsibility, and worth obscure the realities of structural harm. The book argues that what is often framed as individual failure is more accurately understood as cultural, relational, and generational trauma produced by long-standing systems of extraction and neglect.
Drawing on psychology and cultural analysis, the book shows how economic conditions shape emotional life — influencing how people relate to money, power, intimacy, and themselves. By reframing Appalachia, Money in the Mountains offers a way to see America more clearly, exposing how public narratives shape private suffering.
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Book Coverage
Reviews, conversations, and coverage
Read recent coverage connected to Money in the Mountains, including book-event discussion and critical review.
Money in the Mountains: Rayelle Davis Review
A Southern Review of Books review exploring the book’s treatment of Appalachia, trauma, money, and cultural narrative.
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Events & Appearances
Upcoming Appearances
Upcoming author appearances, literary conversations, and book-related events for Money in the Mountains.
Aug
3
Mon.
Online Conversation
Rayelle Davis in Conversation with Jolene McIlwain
Join Rayelle for a virtual conversation on Money in the Mountains and the cultural trauma of Appalachia.
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Aug
30
Thu.
Appalachian Literary Arts Festival
Meet the authors inside CoffeeTree Books during the festival weekend in downtown Morehead.
About
About Rayelle Davis
My work sits at the intersection of psychology, culture, and trauma. I’m particularly interested in how cultural, relational, and generational trauma shape emotional life over time.
My perspective is shaped by clinical training, long-form writing, and sustained inquiry into how people survive, adapt, and make meaning under conditions not of their choosing.
Podcast
Pluto Press Monthly Podcast
Featured Podcast Appearance
Rayelle joins the Pluto Press Monthly Podcast to discuss Money in the Mountains, Appalachia, and cultural trauma
Watch the Featured Episode
Therapy
Clinical Work & Therapeutic Practice
Alongside my writing and public work, I maintain a limited psychotherapy practice. I am licensed in MD and WV. I work with adults and specialize in treating addiction, ADHD, and trauma. I use a systemic and integrative approach, examining how history, power, and place shape emotional life across generations.
I am not always able to take on new clients, and I may not be able to respond to every inquiry.
Focus Areas
- Generational and Relational Trauma
- PTSD
- Depression
- ADHD
- Addiction
Contact
Get in Touch
For media inquiries, speaking invitations, podcast conversations, or questions related to my writing, please contact: rayelletdavis@gmail.com
You can also fill out the contact form and I will respond as soon as possible.