As a therapist, I’m often asked for books, podcasts and other resources that might support the therapy work. While they’re not a substitute for therapy, they can be so helpful in providing additional information, new perspectives and ideas, and it can also be helpful to engage with new material to support the brain in focusing on action and progress.
Here’s a list of some of my most common recommendations:
Books:
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson
- Ok obviously this isn’t for the cursing averse but is otherwise quite helpful in identifying and changing thoughts that contribute to anxiety, depression, anger, and other unpleasant emotions
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
- A book about vulnerability and shame, and how when we are able to feel safe being vulnerable, we can deepen our relationships and connections
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van der Kolk
- This is written both with descriptions of trauma (can be skipped over if they feel triggering to you) alongside how trauma changes the nervous system. This is one of the most loved books by my clients for how helpful it is in understanding why they are experiencing what they are.
Atomic Habits by James Clear
- I have to admit this sounded boring when I first heard about it but it’s almost always well received by readers. The author writes in depth about the process of habit formation and how we can use this information to hack our way to improved habits. So useful!
Running on Empty by Jonice Webb
- This is a book I don’t see recommended as often as some of the others. It is written about people who weren’t abused as children but also didn’t get what they needed emotionally from their parents with clear examples of how that contributes to anxiety, depression, perfectionism, feelings of emptiness etc.
The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo
- A book of short daily reflections about living life with awareness and gratitude, often using examples from nature. It does have some spiritual language and uses the word God to get at the concept of a higher power, which can turn people off but doesn’t read as religious, at least to me.
More Than a Body by Lindsey and Lexie Kite
- This book is so helpful for people dealing with poor body image and/or disordered eating. It can be a support in healing your relationship with your body and understanding the nuances of these issues.
Podcasts:
- This podcast will help you increase your knowledge of research based exercises and activities to support the work you are doing in therapy or self-improvement.
The Hilarious World of Depression
- These conversations are honest and funny, usually with celebrities about depression, navigating life with depression and what has helped them.
- The title probably makes it obvious but these are conversations about mental health topics that specifically impact Black women and girls. It covers everything from PCOS and hormonal issues, Black women in the media, happiness and joy, discrimination etc.
- You’ll have to scroll through the episodes to find those that apply to you because such a wide variety of topics are covered here. Dr Mark Hyman of the Cleveland Clinic shared knowledge and research about many mental health diagnoses and treatment options from depression and anxiety to ADHD to meditation and fibro myalgia, mixed in with episodes about physical issues like thyroid problems, cancer, gut biome, etc.
- This one is a mix between short meditations (usually less than 10 minutes and so great for beginners or folks trying to find a meditation style that they like) and longer conversations on various mental health and wellness topics like grief, overeating, not being a jerk, speaking up for yourself, death and grief, bouandries and pretty much any other wellness topic you can think of.
By Ilse Burton
CONTACT US TODAY!
505-242-6988
The Evolution Group Incorporated is a private counseling firm that has built its practice around the core values of integrity, authenticity, safety and honoring individuality. We work with individuals, couples and families to empower the wholeness that already lies within them
The Evolution Group, Inc.
218 Broadway Blvd SE
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Front Desk Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 9:00am-6:00pm
Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Appointment Required
Phone:?505-242-6988
Email:?[email protected]
