Dedicated to psychoeducation & helping others in the greater Austin area.
Books
Trauma
"It Didn't Start with You" by Mark Wolynn
This has been hands down the most impactful book I have read for my healing journey. This book beautifully holds space for the science of epigenetics (how our genes change expression under stress) and how to process and let go of stories that have taken place long before we were ever born. I cannot emphasize it enough, I highly recommend this book.
"Lifting Heavy Things" by Laura Khoudari
As a yoga instructor, this book gives some practical ways to include your body on your healing journey. Laura also succinctly explains how trauma can leave lasting effects on the body.
"What Happened to You?" by Bruce Perry, Oprah Winfrey
This is a great introductory book to understanding, trauma, and what trauma-informed care looks like. Instead of asking "what is wrong with you"? Trauma-informed care asks the question what "happened to you"? This book also explores how we overcome trauma and adversity through resilience and community.
"The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessel Van Der Kolk
One of the most popular books on trauma and PTSD, Bessel is the man. I can't recommend it enough. However, the first half of the book is very academic. I read this book backward, starting with Part 5 "Paths to Recovery" and then Part 4 "The Imprint of Trauma". Then I started from the beginning.
Social Justice & Race
"My Grandmother's Hands" by Resmaa Menakem
If I could make everyone in the world read one book it would be this book. Resmaa shares the importance of coming back to our bodies to heal intergenerational trauma and racial trauma and how our bodies hold on to trauma. While this book tackles heavy and hard subjects about white supremacy, racism, and privilege, Resmaa provides several body-centered meditations to use when we become triggered or flooded. I highly recommend this book and have a lot of gratitude for Rasmaa for writing it.
"Between the World and Me" by Ta-Nehisi Coates
The amazing book is a letter from a father to his son as he comes to understand his place in the world. "Between the World and Me clearly illuminates the past, bracingly confronts our present, and offers a transcendent vision for a way forward".
"Love and Rage" by Lama Rod Owens
You would assume that a Buddhist teacher wouldn't write a book about using anger as a tool for liberation. But this deeply meditative book is an excellent book for anyone who gets angry about any social injustices. When we handle our anger with attention, love, and compassion, it can be a powerful mobilizing factor in our solidarity and commitment to enacting social change.
"Can 'White' People Be Saved" by Sechrest, Ramírez-Johnson and Young
This book, while a very academic read, looks at the history of Christianity that is steeped in "whiteness" and genocide. As well as how to fight injustice with love and quality.
Death and Grief
"The Grieving Brain" by Mary-Frances O'Connor
For anyone who has experienced a loss and wants to understand why it is so hard to move on, this book is for you. Mary discusses grief on a neurobiological level in a very accessible way. All the while normalizing how hard grief and how our culture does not understand it.
"Under the Whispering Door" by TJ Klune
This romantic fiction playfully answers the question, of what happens after we die. This magical book tackles some bigger more complicated feelings around death, grief, dying, and how to spend your final days.
"And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer" by Fredrik Backman
By one of my favorite authors, I can always count on Fredrik to make me laugh and cry till snot comes out of my nose all in once sentence. This book is about a grandfather who knows his time is coming to an end, and how to say good by to his grand son.
Psychology
"The Road Less Traveled" by Scott Peck
I had two people stop me in an airport to tell me this book changed their life. This is an outstanding book on psychology, love, discipline, spirituality, and self-development that I would recommend to anyone!
"No Bad Parts" by Dr. Richard Schwartz
We've all heard the analogy of people being like layers of an onion. This book suggests we are actually a clove of garlic, having all these *parts* that make up the whole. This book is a great beginner's dive into Internal Family Systems. With awesome meditations, this book helps us befriend all of the parts of ourselves we are ashamed or angry with. I highly recommend it to anyone.
"Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl
While this book was a hard read as Dr. Frankl discusses his experiences during the Holocaust, this perspective on life and love is a deeply moving an inspiring book.
Relationships & Conflict Management
"Attached" by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller
This book offers simple and effective principles from neuroscience and attachment theory to provide amazing information on conflict management and how to navigate your and your partner's attachment styles. If you are looking to learn more about attachment styles, I highly recommend this book!
"The Dance of Anger" by Harriet Lerner
I loved this book. While it is written for women, the skills and tools Dr. Lerner recommends to manage conflict can be utilized by anyone. Man, woman, or nonbinary person, I would highly recommend reading this book!
"The Four Agreements" by Miguel Ruiz
Be Impeccable With Your Word. Don't Take Anything Personally. Don't Make Assumptions. Always Do Your Best. I deeply enjoyed reading this book based on ancient Toltec wisdom. I would recommend this to anyone looking to deepen their journey of self-development!
"Wired for Dating" by Stan Tatkin
This book offers simple and effective principles from neuroscience and attachment theory to provide amazing information on conflict management and how to navigate your and your partner's attachment styles. If you are looking to learn more about attachment styles or maybe give your dating game a boost, I highly recommend this book!
"Why Wont You Apologize" by Harriet Lerner
I recommend this book to anyone feeling alone because someone in their life will not apologize. Or to the person who is trying to be brave and take ownership for a hurt they have caused. Loaded with practical advice, I highly recommend this book to anyone who is in relationship with anyone!
Mental Health & Self Care
"The Empath Survival Guide" by Judith Orloff
If you find yourself getting burned out by people, have a hard time with boundaries, or have been told "You're too sensitive", "Man up", or "Grow a thicker skin" (I'm sorry) and you might be interested in this book. Judith offers up lots of great resources and tools to embrace our intuition, and empathy, and develop coping skills in our high-stimulus world. She will even help you identify what kind of empath you are and how to create boundaries with high-conflict people!
"Burnout" by Emily Nagoski
This book gives practical advice for self-care, all the while, recognizing how patriarchy and societal expectations of women cause chronic stress.
"Daring Greatly" by Brené Brown
I have actually read this book twice and each time I have taken away something new. Surrounding what it means to be vulnerable and risk emotional exposure BB argues that vulnerability is not weakness, but rather our clearest path to courage, engagement, and meaningful connection. Whether it is a new relationship, an important meeting, our creative process, or a difficult family conversation, we must find the courage to walk into vulnerability and engage with our whole hearts.
"Rising Strong" by Brené Brown
Everyone loves the story of a good underdog but no one wants to talk about falling flat on your face. Regardless of circumstance, the rising strong process is the same: We reckon with our emotions and get curious about what we’re feeling; we rumble with our stories until we get to a place of truth. This has to be one of my favorite BB books!
Leadership
"Winning Friends and Influencing People" by Dale Carnegie
I don't recommend many books on success, because success is widely subjective but this is a great book. It can be a tad repetitive and there are not many examples of women in leadership roles but nonetheless, this book has some fantastic practical advice on being a better leader, listener, and overall person!
"Dare to Lead" by Brené Brown
Regardless if you are a leader in a professional setting, a stay-at-home parent, or a student we can all be leaders. This book is an excellent take on leadership and vulnerability.
Religion
"Pure" by Linda Kay Klein
Wow. This book discusses the harmful and shameful impact of purity culture on an entire generation of women and men. In a collection of intimate interviews, the author uncovers the traumatizing effect that purity culture had on an entire generation's sexuality and sense of self.
"The Making of a Biblical Woman" by Beth Allison Bar
If you enjoy history and the Bible, then this book is for you. Beth Allision Bar, a medieval biblical scholar, explores all of the stories of strong, independent, and single biblical women who were left out of scripture during the Reformation. Bar gives historical context to some of the more controversial verses in scripture that are used to subjugate and suppress women, all the while sharing her struggles and awakenings to gender roles in her marriage and the church.
"A Year of Biblical Womanhood" by Rachel Held Evans
This book liberated me and validated me in a way no other book has. Evans respectfully addresses the hypocritical usage of scripture to enforce strict gender roles. As respectful as it is, it is equally satirical and Evans sets out to live a year taking the scriptures as literally as possible. Including historical context to the scriptures she follows, Evan includes reflections from her husband as he accompanied her on this journey.
"UnClobber" by Colby Martin
"UnClobber, Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality", addresses the six passages in the Bible that are used to shame and vilify the LGBTQ community. Martin reexamines what the Bible says and does not say about homosexuality. The result is a more loving, accepting, and inclusive scripture.
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