Favorite Books
Mental Health Books Your Therapist Reads
As a therapist, I am always looking for new books that help make sense of our life, emotions, trauma and relationships. While I’m required to maintain continuing education hours, I often read to deepen my understanding of how humans show up in life. This benefits my clients AND my own life in so many ways. Some of these books are old, some newer but here are a few of my favorites currently.
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
A book about how trauma and life experiences are stored in the body.
From a Relational Life Therapy perspective—how to be in relationship with your partner versus an individualistic viewpoint.
I Don’t Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secrecy of Male Depression by Terry Real
A book to understand male depression, masculinity, and trauma and ways to overcome it.
Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski
An excellent resource on physical intimacy and helps understand the many ways in which we show up in a relationship, all while normalizing it all!
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski
A book about what happens when we get burnt out and how to combat it.
No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma by Richard Swartz
Excellent resource on Internal Family Systems and breaking it down into common language.
The State of Affairs: Rethinking Infidelity by Esther Perel
Esther does a great job at helping the reader understand infidelity with an open mind and heart.
Atlas of the Heart by Brene Brown
I love this book as a simple and quick resource to understand and make sense of the range of emotions we experience.
To purchase I highly recommend visiting a local bookstore whenever possible—Boswell Books on Downer if you are in Milwaukee. Otherwise, rent from your local library!
Happy reading and as always, reach out with any questions!
