Some Book Recommendations
From time to time, I recommend a book to a patient that I think will resonate with what they are working through, spark some thoughts that will help their therapy progress, and/or be an enjoyable read. These are some of the books I most commonly recommend, and what I like about them. Perhaps one of these will help you on whatever journey you find yourself in this season of life.
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead, by Brene Brown, PhD, LMSW.
This is perhaps the book I most commonly recommend. I often recommend it at the beginning of a therapy when I hear someone struggling with some aspect of vulnerability and/or shame. Almost every time, it has prompted deep and meaningful exploration of anxieties about vulnerability and been a great jump start to therapy. Brene Brown writes with a wonderful authenticity that makes the material so relatable. Several of my patients have particularly enjoyed the audiobook. And for those who struggle with perfectionism, I also recommend Brene Brown’s first book, The Gifts of Imperfection.
Boundaries: When to say Yes, When to Say No, To Take Control of Your Life, by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.
This seems to be one of those timeless classics. I came across it over 20 years ago, and it was a great help to me personally as I was learning how to navigate boundaries in my relationships. It is particularly written for those from a Christian background who may have heard scripture used in ways that suggest we shouldn’t have boundaries, or should always be self-sacrificial and put others first. Drs. Cloud and Townsend did an excellent job describing what those scriptures really mean, and why boundaries are healthy and are not “un-Christian.” But it is not only Christians who benefit from this read. Even if you don’t practice the Christian faith but still find boundaries difficult, this book can help break down the common struggles we have with boundaries and be a guide in helping you establish and hold healthy boundaries in your relationships.
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, by Edmund J. Bourne, PhD. I discovered this gem while I was in graduate school and have been using it since. If you struggle with anxiety (and who doesn’t), this can help you identify what kind of anxiety and some of the root causes - i.e., personality types, unhelpful beliefs, lifestyle practices and habits. It also provides some very practical exercises and things you can do to start creating change. If you’re experiencing mild anxiety, this book might be enough for you take the self-help approach and achieve the change you want. If you experience more chronic or severe anxiety, this book is a great resource to use alongside psychotherapy.
These are the books I have recommended most often in my years of practice, and have consistently gotten feedback from patients that they were helpful. If you haven’t read one of these books, go ahead and check it out!
In a future post, I’ll share some fiction and narrative books that I think are rich with thoughts and explorations about the human experience. These can also enhance a therapy, particularly if you are working with a more psychodynamic or existentially-trained therapist. Coming soon!