Therapist Book Recommendations: Couch Method Staff Picks

 

Words are powerful. When we experience something that we don’t quite have the language for, we can feel lost, confused, frustrated, and alone. But the right words at the right time that accurately describe our experience can move us from despair to hope, from powerlessness to empowerment, from isolation to solidarity. As a therapist and a book lover, I rely often on the power of books to give people language for the mental health struggles they are experiencing and to let them know that they are not alone. The right book at the right time can truly be life changing. As the end of summer approaches, here is our ode to the summer beach read: a list of the books that we recommend most to our clients. Our hope is that some may resonate with you too and validate your experience in some way. Enjoy!

 

Amanda’s Picks

 

Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts
By Sally M. Winston & Martin Sief
Themes: Anxiety, OCD, Intrusive Thoughts

If you struggle with intrusive thoughts that disturb or worry you, this book is for you! It explains what’s happening in your brain when you get those thoughts and how to cope with them. This is a reader-friendly book that distills research-based psychological information in an accessible way.

 

 

Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents
By Lindsay C. Gibson
Themes: Parentification, Loneliness, Relationship with Parents

Have you felt lonely for as long as you remember? Growing up, did you feel responsible for your parent’s emotions or feel like you couldn’t express your own? This book looks at the impact that emotionally immature parents have on your mental health. Lest you think this doesn’t apply to you, it’s completely possible to know your parents love you, to have a roof over your head and plenty of food to eat, and yet to not have your emotional needs met. The goal of this book isn’t to blame your parents but to help bring understanding so that you can heal from those hurts.

 

 

Parts Work: An Illustrated Guide to Your Inner Life
By Tom Holmes with Lauri Holmes
Illustrated by Sharon Eckstein
Themes: Ambivalence, Inner Conflict, Identity Development

Do you ever find yourself of two minds that are arguing with each other? If we are honest with ourselves, most of us do. We have different parts of us that can be in competition or conflict with each other. This delightfully illustrated book is a creative way to get better acquainted with your inner cast of characters. Instead of fighting with each other, you can learn to listen to each of those parts so that they work together as an integrated whole.

 

 

Will I Ever Be Good Enough? Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic
Mothers
By Karyl McBride
Themes: Narcissism, Mothers and Daughters, Shame, Self Esteem

Do you struggle feeling like you can ever measure up to your mom’s expectations of you? Do you have chronically low self-esteem and discount your achievements? Has your mother’s voice become your own inner critic that berates you incessantly? These could be signs that you grew up with a narcissistic mother. If so, this book can be an empowering tool to understand how that impacted your mental health. You can learn to heal from that pain and become an empowered and self-actualized woman who knows how to nurture herself.

 

 

The Artist’s Way
By Julia Cameron
Themes: Creative Block, Creative Process, Procrastination, Perfectionism

Do you struggle with creative block? Do you push off creating until you’re under a deadline and then pull insane hours and push yourself to the limit? Do you buy the myth that you have to be inspired in order to create? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this book is for you. Writer and teacher on the creative process, Julia Cameron, shares her long-revered advice for unlocking your creative potential and living a more creatively satisfying life.

 

 

Steal Like an Artist
By Austin Kleon
Themes: Creativity, Artistic Process, Creative Block

Another great pick if you wish you could be more creative but struggle to get there. Writer and creative person, Austin Kleon, shares his tips and strategies for accessing your creative potential and finding your own creative process in this listicle-turned book. And he does it with entertaining doodles too.

 

 

 

Come As You Are
By Emily Nagoski
Themes: Difficulties with Sex, Anxiety, Depression, Female Anatomy

Many women struggle in silence with some aspect of their sex lives. But with highly taboo topic like female sexuality, those struggles can often go unaddressed and have a significant impact on our mental health. Experienced teacher, Dr. Emily Nagoski, shares her wealth of knowledge about female sexuality in a compassionate and empowering way. Whether you’re a woman yourself who wants to understand more about your own sexuality or you want to better understand the woman in your life, this book is a non-shaming and information-rich book that is super accessible.

 

 

Everything is Ok
By Debbie Tung
Themes: Anxiety, Depression, Therapy, Graphic Novel

If you or someone you know struggles with depression or anxiety, this charming graphic novel is for you. Author Debbie Tung shares her own personal mental health journey with starting therapy and learning to cope with her debilitating depression and anxiety.

 

 

 

Children’s Picks

You Were the First
By Patricia MacLachlan
Themes: New Baby, Second Child, Sibling Jealousy

This sweet book is a great way to help your oldest child feel secure in your love as they prepare for the latest addition to your family. Read this with them regularly as a great way to have some much needed snuggle time with mom or dad.

 

 

 

Hey Warrior
By Karen Young
Theme: Anxiety, Worry, Neuropsychology

If your kid struggles with anxiety, this creative and empowering book normalizes that experience. Learn about what’s happening in your brain and body when you feel anxious, and learn how to stand up to your anxiety as the brave warrior you are.

 

 

 

The Rabbit Listened
By Cori Doerrfeld
Themes: Grief, Sadness, Attunement, Emotional Needs, Listening

This adorably illustrated and heartwarming book conveys the many well- intentioned ways that people (or animals) can miss the emotional needs of someone who is upset. Following the example of the rabbit, learn the power of feeling listened to and how it opens us up to healthy emotional expression. This is a great one for audience participation if you have a kid who likes puppets.

 

 

The Memory Box
By Joanna Rowland
Themes: Grief, Loss of a Parent

For kids who have lost a loved one, this book is a tender look at how to cope with that aching loss. It can help them make sense of the many emotions and waves of sadness and fear that come and go. Making a memory box of their own to help keep their loved one’s memory alive can be an important part in the grieving process.

 

 

Say Something!
By Peter H. Reynolds
Themes: Boundaries, Assertiveness, Self-Advocacy, Speaking Up

This inclusive book helps kids understand the very abstract concept of boundaries. They learn about a variety of situations in which they can exercise their voices and about the importance of knowing how to ask for what they need.

 

 

 

Chaya’s Picks

 

Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving
by Pete Walker
Themes: Trauma, Resilience, Empowerment

Pete unfolds a framework to conceptualize trauma in a way that made my mind sparkle. I felt personally understood at a core level. I continue to feel validated and empowered by his wisdom, humility and compassion, and highly recommend his book.

 

 

Recovery of Your Inner Child: The Highly Acclaimed Method for
Liberating Your Inner Self
By Lucia Capacchione
Themes: Inner Child, Healing, Attachment

Write, draw, feel and discover. This is a deep well with wellsprings of healing opportunities. Practical in its application and rich in its understanding, I would recommend doing the activities in this book alongside a trusted friend or therapist.

 

 

The Drama of The Gifted Child
By Alice Miller
Themes: Parenting, Generational Trauma, Relationship

Test out a new way to look at the fundamentals of raising children. From generation to generation. This book offers the insight that is necessary to understand what generational trauma means from a psycho-relational perspective. Phenomenal in its creativity and daring in its passion.

 

 

 

Trauma and Recovery
By Judith Herman
Themes: Trauma, Healing, Resilience

A timeless tome of treasure, Judith writes with the truth and startling clarity we all seek. This book reveals, seeks, and demands. Understand trauma yet again through richer eyesight and radically simple truths.

 

 

 

Lauren’s Picks

 

I Like Myself
By Karen Beaumont
Themes: Self-confidence, Self-compassion

This is a wildly freeing book to read with little ones! I see it as one big hug to self in book form. There is not one thing the main character doesn’t like about herself, which is the best message we can send to our younger generation, and to ourselves. To elevate one’s self-confidence and enhance one’s inner power? These are some of the greatest things a book can do!

 

 

Chrysanthemum
By Kevin Henkes
Themes: Teasing, Resilience, Self-confidence

This main character shows the vulnerableness we can embody when others are bullying us or not treating us nicely. Seeing her gain her strength and step into her own person by the end of the book has me cheering for her, even as an adult! Young ones who relate to the emotions Chrysanthemum portrays and the situation she’s faced with in the school setting would gain a lot by reading this and talking about it from their perspective.

 

 

The Dot
By Peter Reynolds
Themes: Fear of failure, perfectionism, Self-confidence

The Dot has always been my favorite book. The beautifully written message in this story pulls at my heart every time. Mixed in with the need to be perfect is also the message of optimism and hope- seeing the beauty in even the small things. If your children struggle with perfectionism and self-confidence, this is the perfect book to share with them. If you’re an adult who struggles with these themes, it’s certainly worth taking a step back from adulthood and grabbing this book for a quick read, but deep meditation.

 

Three Cheers for Tacky
By Helen Lester
Themes: Fear, Anxiety, Self-confidence

Get ready for quite a laugh with this book! Tacky is the silliest, funniest, out of the box thinking penguin you’ll ever meet. Being different from the rest of his friends is something he is exceptional at, and he’s proud of it. This is a great message to share with our little ones. As they begin to notice differences in the people around them, let’s shape those thoughts into a positive mindset- looking at each other’s differences as unique and special strengths.

 

The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes
By Gary Rubinstein
Themes: Perfectionism, Anxiety, Shame

Truly, the lessons in this story are ones we all may need to hear from time to time. What I appreciate about this book is how the author tells the real story behind feeling like we need to be perfect all of the time. It’s not always pretty internally even if we can make beautiful things happen. The expectation of those around us, and even ourselves, can tear us down inside and trap us into the thought that mistakes make us a bad person. This is another read that can be enjoyed alongside your little one, or all on your own. Let’s all work towards that growth mindset!

 

Shoshi’s Pick

 

No Bad Parts
By Richard Schwartz
Themes: Parts work, Attachment, Inner child work, Ambivalence, Shame

This is the book to pair with independent IFS work or with a trusted therapist.