The best 100 Trauma & Healing books

International bestseller and classic The Drama of the Gifted Child (1979) is about the ways in which our unhappy, repressed childhood memories come back to haunt us as adults. Everyone deals with negativity in their childhood, and if adults don’t confront these memories, they risk living unfulfilled lives or even passing their problems on to their children. Overcoming these suppressed emotions will set you free.

• Anyone who’s ever felt “empty”
• People struggling with depression or addiction
• Parents and parents-to-be

A Long Way Gone (2007) is a story of how, as a young boy in Sierra Leone, the author found himself caught in a civil war and recruited as a child soldier. You’ll travel alongside during his harrowing journey, eventual rescue and recovery guided through the kindness and grace of loving people.

• Anyone interested in modern history of Sierra Leone
• Students of history exploring civil wars and warfare
• People curious about the ongoing plight of child soldiers in Africa

Emotions Revealed (2003) puts emotions under the microscope, revealing where they come from and how to recognize them, whether they’re yours or someone else’s. If you’ve ever wanted to know if someone was being dishonest or trying to deceive you with a friendly smile, these are the blinks for you!

• Law enforcement officers who need to recognize the emotions of criminals and victims
• Therapists and psychologists who want to help patients cope with their emotions
• Empathetic people who want to connect more effectively with others

It Didn’t Start With You (2016) sheds light on a common thread in family relationships. These blinks explain how the source of your emotional or mental problems isn’t necessarily you but instead, your family history. You’ll learn how trauma can be passed from generation to generation, and what you can do to break the cycle.

• Anyone struggling with depression, anxiety or phobias
• Parents and children seeking to mend relationships
• Psychology students

The Body Keeps the Score (2014) explains what trauma is and how it can change our lives for the worse. These blinks investigate the wide-ranging effects experienced not only by traumatized people, but also those around them. Nevertheless, while trauma presents a number of challenges, there are ways to heal.

• People struggling with chronic pain, anxiety or depression
• Family and friends of PTSD sufferers
• Students of psychology and medicine

Option B (2017) is based on the personal experiences of Sheryl Sandberg who, after losing her husband, fell into a period of deep mourning. However, Sheryl’s story is not one of despair; it’s one of perseverance, and of emerging from a horrible experience even stronger than before. Discover what Sheryl learned about the grieving process and how she was able to reclaim her joy, find meaning in life – and death – and move on.

• Grief counselors
• Readers experiencing personal hardship and mourning
• Parents, friends and lovers who want to be supportive

Hold Me Tight (2008) focuses on one of life’s greatest challenges: building and sustaining an intimate relationship. Drawing on the author’s own highly successful couple therapy form EFT (Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy) – based on the idea that the quality of relationships are defined by key emotional moments, both positive and negative – these blinks show you how to form a deeper, and more enduring bond with your partner.

• Recent singles who wonder what went wrong
• Couples who want to sustain and nurture their relationship
• Friends and family of people in rocky relationships

A River in Darkness (2000) is the harrowing true story of one man’s life in and eventual escape from the brutal dictatorship of North Korea. Born in Japan, Masaji Ishikawa was one of hundreds of thousands of Koreans who moved to the country between the 1950s and 1980s. His memoir chronicles the life of drudgery, terror and endless hardship that awaited them.

• Human rights advocates
• History buffs fascinated by the Cold War
• Anyone who loves true life stories

The Year of Magical Thinking (2005) is a poignant memoir about loss and grief. It tells the deeply personal story of Joan Didion’s experiences with the life-threatening illnesses of her daughter and the death of her husband. But more than that, it’s also a thought-provoking philosophical exploration of the meaning of mortality, the fragility of life and the mutability of everything that surrounds us.

• Anyone who’s felt anguish over another person’s life-threatening illness 
• Those who have experienced the loss of a loved one
• Anyone who wants to understand the nature of grief 

Widen the Window (2019) is your guide to healing trauma, relieving chronic stress, and living fully in the present. Drawing on her personal experience as a military leader and building on the latest science, Elizabeth A. Stanley examines how stress and trauma impact our mind and body; how our culture incentivizes work over health; and how mindfulness can bridge the gap between our thinking brains and our bodies’ ancient survival stress response.

• Anyone who has suffered physical or psychological trauma 
• People working in the military, first response, and other high stress professions
• Overachievers, workaholics, and other “type A” personalities

The Emotion Code (2007) offers a new and empowering approach to healing ourselves and others. Through scientific evidence, plenty of firsthand experience, and a great respect for the energetic and spiritual forces that transcend and unite us all, The Emotion Code lays out a revolutionary method for finding and releasing trapped emotions. By doing so, we give ourselves the opportunity to move beyond our limitations and flourish.

• Therapists interested in learning a new modality
• Anyone who feels stuck in emotional patterns
• People who trust in the body’s innate wisdom for guiding the healing process

I’ve Been Thinking (2018) is a collection of thoughts, quotes, and prayers to accompany you through daily life. Whether you’re young or old, religious or agnostic, have both feet on the ground or find yourself in a difficult place, it will inspire you to chart your own path to a meaningful life.

• Workaholics and busybodies who need to catch their breath
• Non-believers looking for spiritual guidance 
• Anyone struggling with their faith, grief, or loss

Why Does He Do That? (2003) reveals the psychology behind abusive men. Drawing on his experience as a counselor to male abusers, author Lundy Bancroft explains the nature of abusive thinking, the early warning signs of abuse, and the steps women can take to free themselves from an abusive relationship.

• Anyone who feels trapped in an abusive relationship
• Mothers considering leaving their abusive partner
• People who suspect a friend or family member is being abused

When the Body Says No (2003) probes the hidden connections between mental health and physical illness. Modern medical science often tries to reassure us that our minds and bodies are totally separate – when, in reality, they’re deeply interconnected. Mental stresses often play out in the body as physiological diseases, disorders, and chronic conditions that endanger our health and well-being.

• People who have chronic health conditions or who know others who have them
• The eternally stressed
• Those interested in the connections between mind and body

My Grandmother’s Hands (2017) explores how racism affects Black, white, and police bodies in the United States – and what individuals and communities can do to heal them. Trauma therapist Resmaa Menakem explains why historic, familial, and personal trauma relating to racism is often stored deep in our nervous system, and teaches body-based practices to overcome it.

• Black people who want to begin to heal their bodies from the trauma of racism 
• White folks who want to become better allies through a body-centered practice of anti-racism
• Police officers and public safety officials who want to learn how to avoid violence

Anxious (2015) is an in-depth study of anxiety disorders. It explores how anxiety is diagnosed and examines how our in-built survival mechanisms can sabotage us by making us perceive danger where none exists. Most importantly, it provides an overview of the most innovative treatment options available – from reprogramming our memories to practicing meditation.

• Anyone living with anxiety who wants to understand more about it 
• Teachers and caregivers who want to support the young people in their care
• Psychology buffs who want to better understand this pervasive disorder

Didn’t See That Coming (2020) is a handbook filled with real-world strategies for coping with pain, tragedy, loss, and betrayal, based on author Rachel Hollis’s own experiences. Without ever sugarcoating the devastating effects of grief and trauma, it offers a blueprint for living with pain without letting it define you, and reaching for your best life even after the worst has happened.

• Anyone whose life has been shaken by a crisis
• Friends or family trying to support a loved one through trauma
• Everyone trying to come to terms with a difficult past

Emotional First Aid (2012) is an easy-to-follow manual for addressing the everyday emotional hurts we all experience. From rejection to loss to low self-esteem, Emotional First Aid provides effective strategies for ensuring that treatable emotional pains don’t become deep wounds with lasting psychological effects.

• People struggling to let go of past hurts 
• Psychology enthusiasts
• Parents wanting to raise resilient kids

The Wim Hof Method (2020) posits that we can overcome almost anything, from illness and depression to extreme climate conditions, by employing Wim Hof’s methods. Based on three pillars – cold, breathing, and mindset – The Wim Hof Method seeks to help you activate your full potential.

• Anyone looking to improve their general health and well-being
• Endurance athletes and winter sport fanatics
• Those looking for alternative remedies to illness and depression

You Can Heal Your Life (1984) is a classic of self-realization and healing. With over 39 million copies in print, this book combines practical and spiritual advice to help you overcome both emotional and physical problems, transforming your life forever.

• Self-help fans 
• Those struggling to process childhood trauma
• Anyone interested in alternative medicine

Forgiving What You Can’t Forget (2020) is a guide to healing from past hurt. Drawing from her experiences of abuse in her childhood and infidelity in her marriage, author Lysa TerKeurst offers up ways to make peace with painful memories through forgiveness.

• Anyone suffering from a broken heart
• Christians seeking to feel closer to God
• Those wanting to reframe their suffering as something positive

How to Do the Work (2021) is a hands-on guide to healing our bodies and minds. The physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of our health are all interconnected. By changing how we eat and exercise, engaging in mindfulness and tackling past trauma, we can heal ourselves and transform our relationships.

• Spiritual seekers looking for new ways to connect with the world
• Children of emotionally unavailable parents looking to heal past trauma
• Anyone who’s tired of feeling sluggish and burnt out

Deep Creativity (2019) encourages you to celebrate your inner creative impulses as a means of self-expression. The three authors tell personal stories about their creative practice and offer sage advice for how to live a creatively satisfying life.

• Creative souls
• Dabblers in depth psychology
• Searchers for inner peace and fulfillment

Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess (2021) presents a scientifically backed strategy for rooting out toxic thoughts. It breaks down the principles and tools of the Neurocycle – a mind-management process that changes toxic thoughts and their related behaviors into positive thinking and habits.

• Those looking to take control of their mental state
• People grappling with the effects of trauma
• Anyone curious about how the mind and brain are connected

The Way of Integrity (2021) is a four-stage process to finding integrity – a quality that can alleviate the suffering caused by harmful autopilot actions and beliefs. In reconnecting to what makes you feel whole, you’ll achieve a sense of purpose, emotional healing, and mental well-being.

• People who feel unhappy but aren’t sure why
• Disconnected individuals who want to improve their relationships
• Anyone seeking more joy and purpose in their life

No Bad Parts (2021) argues that we’re all made up of many distinct parts, like inner voices, that add different things to our lives. By engaging these parts directly, we can heal past traumas and transform the way we relate to ourselves and the world.

• Deep thinkers who experience internal conflict
• Psychology buffs interested in an original approach to the mind
• People who feel numb and dissociated because of early traumatic experiences

The Happiest Man on Earth (2020) is the true story of one man, who survived inconceivable horrors during the Holocaust, and afterward made it his mission to change the world for the better. Eddie Jaku saw first-hand how a Fascist regime could spark anti-Semitic hatred, and turn former friends and neighbors into killers. In talking about what happened, he shares how love and kindness helped him to survive one of the worst atrocities in human history.

• History buffs interested in the Holocaust and fascism
• Memoir-lovers excited to hear the story of an extraordinary man
• People who want to learn more about surviving complex trauma

The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching (1998) explains core Buddhist teachings, including the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. It shows how to apply these practices to daily life to transform suffering into joy and heal the pain of others.

• People who are suffering
• Those wishing to adopt Buddhist practices
• Anyone who wishes to lead a more joyful life

Spiritual Partnership (2009) is about the new relationships that can develop when we tap into a deep, invisible consciousness. Becoming “multisensory” and engaging in spiritual partnerships with others will lead you to a life of freedom, joy, and authentic power.

• People interested in spirituality
• Couples looking to strengthen their relationship
• Anyone searching for meaning and purpose in life

The Art of Living (1987) details the Vipassanā meditation principles set out by the famed Burmese-Indian teacher S. N. Goenka. As well as describing the techniques of Vipassanā meditation, it delves into the deeper philosophy of Buddhism.

• Anyone interested in meditation
• Those seeking relief from anxiety, stress, and suffering
• People curious about Buddhist thinking

You Are Your Best Thing (2021) is an anthology of original essays that explore Black experiences of living, loving, and parenting in America today. It examines concepts like vulnerability and shame, and shows that the key to personal healing lies in confronting white supremacy and the racist systems that make Black people feel unsafe in their communities. 

• Black people looking for tools to heal from trauma
• Psychology-lovers seeking new perspectives on how the personal and political intersect
• Those who want to deepen their understanding of the impact of racism in America

Wired for Love (2012) is a guide to maintaining closeness and emotional security within romantic partnerships. It uses research from neurobiology and psychology to show why long-term couples come into conflict, and it offers practical tips on how to use knowledge about brain functions to promote peace and mutual security in your relationship.

• Partners in committed relationships
• Couples seeking to manage conflict 
• Those interested in social psychology

Us (2022) is for anyone whose once-loving relationship has devolved into point-scoring and power struggles. It offers a science-based skill set, illustrated with rich and detailed examples, to help you and your partner heal your toxic individualism and your relationship. 

• Couples who find themselves having the same fight over and over again
• Partners whose disagreements turn melodramatic within minutes
• Anyone dealing with a breach of trust in a close relationship

Welcome Home (2021) uses the metaphor of a house to provide a personalized blueprint for achieving self-worth, belonging, and happiness. Through personal stories, practical advice, and poetry, it lays out tools you can use to build a place where you’re at peace with yourself.

• Young adults embarking on a journey of self-discovery
• Lost or directionless individuals who want to take control of their lives
• Anyone who wants to be stronger, happier, and emotionally healthier

Bittersweet (2022) is a profound meditation on an often overlooked emotional experience – the bittersweet. It argues that opening up to the bittersweet, where pain and joy mingle, allows us to experience life to the fullest. It also shows how vulnerability can be a strength, longing can be a guide, and sorrow can set us on the path to joy and fulfillment. 

• Anyone who finds pleasure in sad songs and tear-jerker movies
• People who’ve experienced loss or trauma and want to find a way back to joy
• Lovers of the ephemeral, the impermanent, and the fleeting

Heal From Within (2022) is a guidebook to self-healing. While traditional medicine tends to focus on symptoms, Beecher argues that we should be paying attention to the cause of an illness. Her healing strategies are based on personal experience, as well as her professional career as a counselor and medical intuitive.

• People who want to heal from any kind of health issue
• Empaths and highly sensitive people
• Anyone who’s interested in learning more about chakras

The Awakened Brain (2021) reveals the science of spirituality. Drawing on Dr. Lisa Miller’s decades of research and her own personal journey, it locates an innate capacity for spirituality in human biology. When engaged, this spiritual awareness can protect against depression, support health, and reveal the deep interconnection between all life.

• Seekers of science and spirituality
• People coping with depression or anxiety
• Anyone contemplating life’s big questions

Codependent No More (1986) is a modern classic that sheds light on codependent relationships. It’s filled with helpful insights into codependency and outlines some basic tools that people can use to recover.

• People who are compulsive caretakers
• Those attracted to dysfunctional relationships
• Anyone affected by a loved one’s drinking or substance abuse

Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening (2013) explores how adopting a Buddhist approach to mindfulness can unlock a true and deeply felt freedom. The author draws on an ancient dialogue conducted by Siddhartha Gotama, the Buddha, and creates a clear, systemic path to establishing mindfulness of body, emotion, thought, and time as a way to overcome suffering.

• Curious minds interested in the time-tested wisdom of the Buddha
• Deep thinkers committed to living mindfully 
• Anyone interested in using meditation to enrich their lives

The Book of Forgiving (2014) is a practical guide to harnessing the power of forgiveness and healing in your own life. As humans, we will all experience hurt at some points in our lives. We’ll also harm other people, intentionally or not. Learning to both hold yourself and others  accountable and forgive them for what they’ve done will transform your personal relationships and broader communities. 

• Anyone who is estranged from a loved one, and is looking for ways to reconcile
• Psychology buffs interested in a contemporary approach to forgiveness, and how it can change our lives
• Admirers of Archbishop Desmond Tutu who want to learn more about his pioneering work in forgiveness. 

Lighter (2022) guides anyone seeking self-improvement through the process of releasing the past and taking power over the future. It’s a combination of wisdom and proverbs as well as a practical guide for doing the inner work of self-healing.

• Self-improvement seekers
• Buddhism buffs
• Anyone who needs to heal from the past

Existential Kink (2020) invites you to transform your life by embracing your deepest desires and hidden shadows. Through a radical and intriguing journey, you'll discover the power of turning your “wrongness” into personal growth and self-acceptance. With the help of seven axioms and practical exercises, prepare to unleash your true potential and create positive change.

• Spiritual explorers seeking personal growth
• Fans of unconventional self-help methods
• Individuals curious about shadow work

It’s OK That You’re Not OK (2017) is a radical take on grief. It deconstructs and recalibrates how we experience pain and support people who are grieving – and teaches us how to honor loss authentically.

• First-time grievers
• Anyone who’s lost a loved one to death
• Those trying to support someone in pain

Adult Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers (2022) explores the ramifications of having a narcissistic parent, and what you as an adult can do to release yourself from your mother’s toxic hold. Its toolkit will help you manage the difficult feelings that come with being raised by a narcissist – like self-doubt, shame, and anxiety – so that you can start living on your own terms. 

• Adults with controlling, manipulative, or domineering mothers
• Those who have struggled with anxiety and insecurity since they were young
• Anyone who has felt fundamentally flawed since they were a child

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing (2022) is the intimate memoir of critically acclaimed actor Matthew Perry. From his troubled childhood to his meteoric rise to fame in the hit sitcom Friends to his lifelong struggle with substance abuse and addiction, Perry holds nothing back as he reveals his life, thoughts, and soul.

• Friends fans looking for a deeper insight into one of the show's strongest comedic voices
• People curious about the darker side of celebrity lives
• Anyone struggling with addiction

Kitchen Confidential (2000) gives us an insight into life in the restaurant business. Full of larger-than-life tales about Anthony Bourdain’s life of sex and drugs and haute cuisine, it gives us a no-holds-barred taste of what goes on behind the kitchen door.

• Fans of Anthony Bourdain
• Wannabe pro chefs
• Home cooks looking for hints and tips from a professional

Forgive (2022) proposes personal and community healing through genuine, wholesome, and compassionate forgiveness. The arguments in this guide will help you understand why Christian forgiveness could be secular society’s best remedy for relieving the offended, reforming the offenders, and promoting fellowship among humans.

• Anyone trying to understand the importance of forgiveness
• Victims of abuse seeking to let go of anger and hate
• Christians trying to understand God’s forgiveness

The Myth of Normal (2022) unpacks why chronic disease and mental illness are on the rise. Western medicine focuses on individual pathologies, but what if the key actually lies in our culture? Things we consider normal – like stress, adversity, and trauma – are often toxic and breed disease. The pathway back to health rests in identifying and addressing these underlying conditions.

• Health professionals who want the bigger picture
• Lovers of a good social critique
• Anyone working through health challenges

Sacred Women (2000) is a foundational guide to holistic healing for women. Through healing circles, lifestyle changes, and the wisdom of the Divine Creatress, you can chart your own path to a life of joy and purpose.

• Spiritual seekers who want to connect to their inner wisdom
• Women looking for alternative approaches to reproductive health
• Anyone who’s feeling restless and unfulfilled at work 

Good Inside (2022) offers hope to parents who feel helpless when it comes to managing conflict in their homes. More than parenting, it’s about loving yourself and extending that love to your children. Dr. Becky rejects traditional reward and punishment strategies, instead encouraging parents to seek understanding with their children while still maintaining healthy boundaries.

• New parents
• Parents who are afraid it’s too late to change how they parent
• People healing from emotional damage

The Body Code (2023) is a companion book to The Emotion Code and presents the author’s comprehensive system for finding and clearing energy blockages and trapped emotions that cause discomfort and disease. Only by releasing these blockages and imbalances can the body’s natural ability to heal itself be fully realized.

• Those looking for mind-body healing techniques that anyone can learn
• People looking for an easy way to release emotional baggage or address chronic symptoms
• Self-help lovers looking for healing methods based on intuition and the subconscious mind

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents (2015) exposes the negative impacts that many adults face as the result of growing up with distant, rejecting, or self-involved parents. From demystifying the behavior of emotionally immature caregivers to providing practical tools for personal growth, it’s a step-by-step guide to healing old wounds and embracing a more positive future.

• Adult children of emotionally immature parents
• Parents who want to be more emotionally mature for their children
• Anyone interested in the dynamics of family psychology

Good Morning, Monster (2020) chronicles some of the heroic patients therapist Catherine Gildiner worked with over the course of her practice. The patients experienced varied traumatic events and used different techniques in their work with Gildiner. Their stories exemplify the resiliency of the human mind and spirit.

• Anyone seeking inspiration from real-life success stories
• Those curious about the mind’s resilience
• People wondering how therapy can help transform lives

Life Is Hard (2022) takes a close look at common struggles – like infirmity, loneliness, grief, and failure – through the lens of philosophy, as well as fiction, sports, history, and personal anecdotes. By examining the familiar hardships of the human condition, we can learn how to live well.

• Anyone feeling overwhelmed by the hardships and injustice across the globe
• People trying to cope with personal struggles
• Fans of practical, accessible philosophy

Hustle Harder, Hustle Smarter (2021) offers life lessons from Curtis Jackson – aka rapper 50 Cent. From street wisdom to the art of the deal, Jackson shares stories and wisdom from his continued rise to the top. 

• Fans of 50 Cent
• People hungry for success
• Anyone interested in personal development

Signs (2019) offers a new way of looking at the universe. It shows us how we can learn to appreciate the extraordinary that coexists with the ordinary. With remarkable testimonials and practical advice, it shows us how anyone can communicate with the Other Side.

• Anyone who’s lost a loved one
• People curious about the afterlife
• Skeptics who think life is simply chaotic and random

Reinventing Your Life (1994) is a manual on how to pull yourself out of negative habits and improve your life. By identifying key stumbling blocks to growth – or “lifetraps” – and presenting ways to overcome them, it guides you toward sustainable personal growth and happiness.

• Anyone who feels stuck in the same old negative loop
• People looking to understand themselves better
• Psychology buffs

Self-Love Workbook for Women (2020) maps your journey towards creating a life-altering relationship with yourself. Whether your self-love foundation is shaky or firm, this book will help you develop skills to heal and self-nourish, through using awareness and mindfulness practices.

• Anyone suffering from depression or low self worth 
• Cynics and scrooges 
• Goal-oriented entrepreneurs, young professionals, and caretakers

How We Heal (2022) provides a detailed look at the complex and life-changing process of self-healing. Techniques are separated into a 4-step framework which provides encouragement, practical strategies, and journaling exercises to help you rediscover your inner power and cultivate a sense of inner peace.

• Fans of self-help books
• Anyone who wants to learn about self-healing
• People interested in mental health and wellness

Mad Honey (2022) tells the story of two women who have fled abusive pasts to make a new life in the small town of Adams, New Hampshire. When one is found dead, and the other finds her son accused of the murder, the tense courtroom drama that unfolds shines light on the true cost of secrets kept for love.

• Fiction lovers craving a well-told tale about timely issues
• Courtroom drama fans looking for a story with suspenseful, emotional twists 
• Anyone curious about a narrative of complex characters facing challenging times

A Little Life (2015) follows the lives of four friends in New York City: aspiring actor Willem, moody painter JB, quiet architect Malcolm, and the brilliant, mysterious litigator Jude. Over the years, the four friends grow together, drift apart, find love and success, and struggle with loss and addiction. As enigmatic Jude gradually moves into the center of the narrative, the full extent of his unbearable burden begins to reveal itself. 

• People who enjoy character-driven literature
• Fans of stories about complex relationships 
• Anyone in need of a good cry

Drama Free (2023) is a concise and thoughtful guide to navigating the negatives of one of the most fundamental and unavoidable aspects of our lives: family. Covering a wide range of topics including emotionally absent parents, codependent siblings, substance abuse, and many more, it offers advice on recognizing the patterns of a dysfunctional family, healing from the past, and growing into the full human being you deserve to be.

• Adult children or siblings looking to untangle their current family relationships
• Emotionally troubled individuals who are prepared to analyze their childhood
• Anyone who tenses up when a family member calls

The Gift of Therapy (2001) is a comprehensive guide to improving the relationship between therapists and their patients. Built on safety and trust, this therapeutic bond becomes the foundation for personal healing and the pathway to repairing other relationships.

• Therapists who want to improve their craft
• People trying to understand the role of their therapist
• Anyone curious about life, relationships, and social psychology

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969) is the first part of a critically acclaimed seven-volume autobiography by the American writer and poet Maya Angelou. A vivid account of growing up in America during the Depression, it documents Maya’s life between the ages of three and sixteen. Hailed for its unflinching portrayal of displacement, discrimination, and trauma, it is also a life-affirming study of how hope can prevail amidst death and despair. 

• History buffs fascinated by the United States
• Fans of true-life stories and larger-than-life memoirs
• Anyone who loves classic literature

Polysecure (2020) unites attachment theory, which explains the different types of attachment people form with each other, with consensual nonmonogamy – the increasingly popular practice of having multiple romantic partners. By learning more about your attachment style, you can develop healthy relationship habits, even in nonmonogamy.

• Relationship geeks looking to learn about attachment theory
• Couples considering opening up their relationships
• Nonmonogamous folks who want to do it right

Origins of You (2023) invites you on a transformative journey of self-discovery, guiding you through the process of uncovering your origin stories and healing emotional wounds. With powerful insights and practical tools, this invaluable resource empowers you to embrace your past, nurture your well-being, and cultivate authentic, meaningful connections.

• People seeking self-awareness and personal growth
• Couples aiming to enhance emotional connection
• Therapists and coaches pursuing new insights

Retrain Your Brain (2016) is all about learning practical strategies to break free from negative thought patterns and cultivate a more positive, fulfilling life. Whether you're struggling with anxiety or depression, or just want to improve your overall mental well-being, this guide is a valuable resource for retraining your brain and becoming your best self.

• Anyone suffering from depression, anxiety, or low mood
• Life hackers looking for tools to enhance emotional well-being
• Curious minds interested in the science behind cognitive behavioral therapy

A Radical Awakening (2021) shows you how to heal by connecting to your authentic self – the person you were meant to be before society’s lies and conditioning morphed you into something else. It speaks from a woman’s point of view, but it doesn’t exclude men. Instead, it seeks to lift everyone from the pain of their past and into a higher consciousness.

• Anyone who wants to heal from their past 
• Women who’d like to discover their inner power
• People who feel subjugated by society

The Parenting Map (2023) by Dr. Shefali Tsabary offers a step-by-step guide to parenting healthy, happy, resilient, and grounded children by adopting a mindful parenting approach. In it, parents are encouraged to unlearn toxic parenting habits and replace them with moments of meaningful connection.

• Expectant families looking for clear, compassionate parenting advice
• Seasoned parents who’d like to feel more present for their children
• Grandparents, caregivers, guardians, and anyone with special young people in their lives

A Rose for Emily (1930) was first published in Forum magazine. Told in a nonlinear style, it starts with the funeral of Emily, a fixture in the fictional Jefferson County. It then goes back in time to trace moments of her life, and the decline in her health and status. 

• Faulkner fans
• Lovers of Southern Gothic literature
• Anyone curious to learn more about a complex classic

You Are the One You’ve Been Waiting For (2008) lays out the secret for finding happiness and intimacy in modern romantic relationships. Using the established Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, it shows that true contentment and compassion come from understanding and trusting the Self – your compassionate center of peace and clarity. By adjusting your perspective and completing some practical exercises, your relationship can start to flourish like it never has before.

• Couples who feel unable to connect despite their best efforts
• Therapists, psychoanalysts and armchair psychologists looking for a unique perspective on relationships 
• Those who feel unresolved inner turmoil holds them back from maintaining loving relationships

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts (2008) is a heartful exploration of the complex condition known as addiction. It tells the real-life stories of addicts, who are so often denied the space to do so, alongside science-based analyses of why and how people get addicted. Importantly, it also challenges us to think of the ways, obvious or not, in which we too are addicts – and what we can do to heal ourselves.

• People with addiction, who know someone with addiction, or who work with addiction
• Pop-science “junkies”
• Social justice advocates and anyone opposed to the War on Drugs

Look for Me There (2023) chronicles the struggles of a man dealing with the loss of his father. By accompanying him on a journey across the world and his heart, we learn how he copes with grief, and what other lessons he learns along the way. 

• Anyone dealing with the loss of a loved one
• Travel fans who love to learn about interesting places
• Anyone interested in the human condition and its struggles

When You're Ready, This Is How You Heal (2022) invites you on a profound journey of personal transformation. Explore poignant reflections and empowering insights that inspire you to embrace aspirations, navigate change, overcome limitations, and reclaim your true essence.

• Seekers of self-discovery and personal growth
• Individuals navigating life transitions and seeking guidance
• Anyone looking for empowering insights and transformative wisdom

Waking the Tiger (1997) offers an enlightening perspective on trauma by exploring the dynamics that make wild animals virtually immune to traumatic symptoms. Using this knowledge, it then provides a pathway to healing through exercises that focus on bodily sensations.

• Trauma survivors looking to understand and heal their symptoms
• Readers fascinated by animal behavior and human nature
• Anyone drawn to explore how awareness, instinct, and resilience can transform suffering

You Can Thrive After Narcissistic Abuse (2018) addresses the epidemic in narcissism and narcissistic abuse in contemporary society, including the devastating impacts on victims.  It offers a step-by-step process for releasing past traumas and confronting negative beliefs to heal from past abuse and thrive in healthy relationships. 

• Anyone feeling trapped in unfulfilled relationships with narcissistic people
• Sufferers of past abuse wondering why they end up in similar relationships repeatedly
• Those seeking to break free from limiting beliefs and negative self-talk that make them susceptible to manipulative people

The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog (2006) presents a series of case studies to explore the profound impacts of childhood trauma – and the resilience and adaptability of the human brain. Through the diverse experiences of young people who have faced unimaginable abuse and neglect, it illustrates how innovative therapeutic approaches can facilitate healing and recovery.

• Mental health professionals interested in how trauma impacts child development – and effective therapeutic interventions
• Social workers wishing to better understand child trauma and its repercussions to support at-risk children and families
• Parents or caregivers who want to know the minds of their children (and people in general)

Healing Collective Trauma (2020) examines how trauma can be shared between individuals and across generations. Drawing on contemporary trauma research and ancient traditions of mysticism, it proposes a framework for recognizing and healing these collective traumas.

• Therapists and healers working with traumatized groups
• Community activists negotiating the effects of collective trauma in their work
• Anyone who has lived through or is trying to support someone through trauma

Getting Past Your Past (2012) offers practical eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) techniques that can help you understand how personalities develop and overcome barriers. It explains why you can become trapped in unhelpful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and provides exercises to help you take charge of your life, improve your relationships, and effect real change.

• Patients with unresolved chronic pain or unexplained medical symptoms
• Self-improvement and personal growth seekers
• Therapists and counselors looking for new techniques to help their clients

Own Your Past Change Your Future (2022) provides a simple five-step plan to overcoming past trauma, changing your thoughts and actions, and healing. It will help you grieve your past hurts, make real friends, and set you on a path to wellness.

• Self-help seekers looking to improve their lives, heal from past hurts, and grow
• Mental health professionals interested in a new framework to help their clients
• Personal development enthusiasts who want to deepen their connections and find meaning

The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide (2011) is the definitive manual for psychedelic voyagers and those who guide them. Combining original research, personal reports, and shamanistic tradition, it teaches how to create safe and successful psychedelic experiences that facilitate healing, self-discovery, and creativity. 

• Psychedelic voyagers or those curious about psychedelic experiences
• Therapists and psychology professionals interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy
• Anyone seeking healing from trauma, addiction, anxiety, or depression

Facing Codependence (1989) offers insights and guidance for those seeking to navigate and recover from codependent behaviors. It dives into the complex condition of codependence, identifying five main symptoms, their origins, and their corresponding effects on the individual’s life.

• Individuals navigating relationship challenges
• Self-awareness and personal growth seekers
• Anyone interested in understanding codependency

Psychedelics and Psychotherapy (2021) is a thoughtful exploration of how substances and techniques like ayahuasca, MDMA, and holotropic breathwork can unlock our innate capacity for wholeness. Combining wisdom from Indigenous cultures with insights from Western psychology and science, it reveals how psychedelic experiences allow people to access and process repressed emotions and memories, which can help them heal from various mental health challenges. Simultaneously, it stresses the importance of context and intention behind psychedelic use, recommending guided sessions with trained facilitators who can lead people through psychedelic experiences safely and responsibly.

• Mental health professionals interested in alternative therapeutic approaches
• Individuals experiencing mental health issues
• Psychonauts interested in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics

Built from Broken (2021) is your guide to injury prevention and natural pain relief. Whether you’re a couch potato, fitness enthusiast, or full-on athlete – this new approach to understanding joint health will lead you out of the pain/injury cycle toward a stronger, more functional body.

• Fitness enthusiasts looking to overcome joint pain and injuries
• Athletes seeking to prevent common sports injuries and improve their recovery
• Anyone who feels their body breaking down and wants to rebuild strength

In an Unspoken Voice (2010) examines how you can release trauma’s grip and restore well-being and vitality to your body, through gentle awareness of sensation and movement. The Somatic Experiencing approach provides proven techniques to process unresolved experiences and return to flow.

• Anyone struggling with anxiety, depression, or unexplained somatic issues that may have roots in past trauma
• Those fascinated by the mind-body connection and the wisdom inherent in our organic processes
• Individuals looking to enhance their resilience and capacity for self-regulation in stressful times

Staring at the Sun (2008) explores the universal human fear of death and strategies for alleviating death anxiety. It blends psychotherapy case studies with philosophical ideas to argue confronting mortality is key to living a meaningful, present-focused life. Through vivid patient stories, it illuminates how facing death enables you to prioritize what really matters.

• People anxious about death
• Therapists hoping to understand more about death anxiety 
• Anyone who’s coming to terms with the fact that they’re going to die one day

Break the Cycle (2021) delves into the deep-seated generational trauma and challenges implicating many families. It emphasizes breaking free from cycles of pain and encourages readers to embrace change, healing, and emotional growth for a promising future.

• Individuals facing generational trauma
• Seekers of emotional healing
• Advocates of change and personal growth

It’s Not You (2024) delves into the complexities of narcissistic personality traits and their devastating effects on personal and professional relationships. With a compassionate and pragmatic approach, it offers strategies and insights to help navigate these challenging dynamics.

• Those who have experienced, or are currently in, relationships with narcissistic partners, family members, friends, or colleagues
• Human resource professionals and managers who want to understand narcissistic behavior in the workplace better
• Anyone who is navigating complex relationships with narcissistic personalities they can’t walk away from

Knife (2024) offers an intimate account of Salman Rushdie's harrowing experience of surviving an assassination attempt. It provides a unique insight into the physical, personal, and psychological impact of trauma. It also delves into themes of identity, ideology, and the power of storytelling, making it a profound and moving examination of the human spirit's capacity for resilience and renewal.

• Anyone interested in the intersection of literature, politics, and personal narrative
• People looking for stories of coping with trauma
• Fans of revealing memoirs

When Panic Attacks (2006) provides insights and techniques for managing anxiety and panic attacks using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). It offers a drug-free approach to treating anxiety disorders by identifying and challenging distorted thoughts, conducting behavioral experiments, and utilizing mindfulness and relaxation techniques.

• Mental health professionals and therapists
• Caregivers supporting someone with anxiety disorders
• Individuals experiencing anxiety and panic attacks

How to Stop Breaking Your Own Heart (2024) guides you to rediscover yourself and grow. You'll learn how childhood shapes adult relationships, face fears holding you back, and set healthy limits. By trusting your gut and living purposefully, you'll create real connections and align your life with what matters most to you.

• Self-improvement seekers
• Anyone struggling with boundaries
• Personal growth enthusiasts

The Anatomy of Anxiety (2022) challenges the conventional view that anxiety is solely a mental disorder. It proposes that many forms of anxiety originate from bodily imbalances rather than troubled thoughts. It offers actionable strategies for managing anxiety through lifestyle and diet adjustments, while also suggesting that some forms of anxiety can serve as helpful signals for achieving a more balanced life.

• Individuals struggling with chronic anxiety
• Highly sensitive people seeking to understand and embrace their nature
• Anyone looking to deepen their self-awareness and personal growth journey

Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts (2017) offers practical, science-backed tools to break free from the cycle of fear, guilt, and doubt that fuels these distressing mental loops. With relatable examples and proven techniques, you’ll find out how to take control, quiet your mind, and reclaim your peace.

• Individuals experiencing anxiety disorders
• People recovering from trauma
• Anyone curious about mindfulness and acceptance-based strategies

The Grieving Body (2025) explores how bodies physically process loss, revealing the neurobiological underpinnings of grief and mourning. It advocates for developing compassionate, effective strategies that support the body through grief, recognizing that these physical manifestations are a natural part of adapting to loss. 

• People actively experiencing grief who want to understand their physical symptoms
• Those preparing for an anticipated loss who want to understand what to expect
• Anyone interested in the mind-body connection during emotional challenges

Live More Think Less (2021) explores metacognitive therapy, an innovative approach to combating depression by changing your relationship with your thoughts. It offers practical methods, backed by research, to help you stop the cycle of rumination and overthinking that often leads to sadness and helplessness.

• People struggling with recurring depression looking for insight
• Overthinkers who find themselves stuck in mental loops
• Anyone interested in practical, evidence-based techniques to improve mental health

The Absent Father Effect on Daughters (2021) explores the lasting psychological impact of literal or emotional father absence through the lens of Jungian analysis. It examines how this absence shapes a daughter’s identity, relationships, and self-worth –⁠ often unconsciously –⁠ by weaving personal stories, myths, and dream analysis into a powerful portrait of the wounded feminine psyche. Ultimately, it offers a path toward healing through inner reconciliation with the lost or idealized father figure.

• Adult daughters of emotionally or physically absent fathers
• Fathers seeking to repair estranged relationships
• Anyone curious about the psychological power of the father-daughter bond

Re-Regulated (2024) is a practical guide to understanding and healing childhood trauma through nervous system regulation. It explains why traditional approaches often fall short for childhood PTSD and offers a daily practice to rewire neural pathways and cultivate lasting emotional balance.

• People who've tried talk therapy or medication without finding complete relief
• Those experiencing unexplained emotional dysregulation, relationship difficulties, or chronic anxiety
• Self-help enthusiasts interested in practical, daily approaches to emotional regulation

Mothers Who Can’t Love (2014) examines the deeply hurtful impact unloving moms have on their daughters. Drawing on decades of experience in therapy, it outlines five key types of unloving mothers, explaining where their behaviors come from and the damage they do. It also offers practical tools and self-help techniques for unloved daughters to heal and move ahead with their lives. 

• Daughters of abusive or neglectful mothers who are trying to heal and build their lives
• Empathetic humans who want to learn more about why people suffer
• Therapists and counselors working with family trauma clients

Listening When Parts Speak (2024) pairs Internal Family Systems “parts work” with ancestor-informed practices to help heal personal and intergenerational wounds through compassionate inner dialogue. It offers clear explanations, stories, and guided exercises to access Self energy, integrate protective and wounded parts, and carry the work beyond the therapy room into daily life.

• Practice-focused therapists and coaches needing quick takeaways
• Growth-oriented self-healers addressing intergenerational trauma patterns
• Time-pressed people exploring healing and IFS

The Biology of Trauma (2022) offers a groundbreaking view of trauma as a biological state held within the nervous system, not just as the result of external events. It explains how unresolved trauma can silently shape physical health, emotional well-being, and behavior patterns over time. Drawing on the latest research in medicine, neuroscience, and somatic healing, it presents a step-by-step, body-first approach to resolving trauma at its roots.

• People stuck in cycles of stress or burnout
• Readers exploring trauma beyond talk therapy
• Anyone seeking root-cause healing for chronic health issues