Book Recommendations
There are times when counseling can feel inaccessible or simply not like the right fit, whether due to cost, scheduling, cultural fit, past experiences, or simply not feeling ready to talk to a live human. Books can serve as a supportive bridge in those moments. They allow you to move at your own pace, revisit ideas as needed, pause when emotions arise, and explore complex topics privately and safely. While reading is not a replacement for counseling, thoughtfully chosen books can offer language for experiences you haven’t yet articulated, normalize what feels isolating, and provide practical tools that support growth and self-understanding.
Here is a list of books that many people have found helpful, but it’s important to approach them with perspective. No counselor is perfect, and no book or author is either. Each writer brings their own worldview, assumptions, lived experience, and blind spots. What feels validating and useful to one person may feel limiting, overly simplistic, or even frustrating to someone else. As you explore these resources, use your own discernment to take what resonates, adapt what feels practical, and give yourself permission to set aside anything that doesn’t fit your values or needs.
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker
Pete Walker is a complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) survivor and a clinician who specializes in adult CPTSD. This book is a good option for those who want to learn more about what CPTSD is and feel secure and safe enough in their current state to explore this sensitive topic without the direct assistance of a therapist.
The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self Love by Sonya Renee Taylor
This is a great book to explore radical self-love, especially for those interested in exploring how to heal from society’s oppression against bodies and identities. Sonya Renee Taylor encourages embracing and loving one’s body, promoting self-acceptance, and challenging societal beauty standards by fostering body positivity and reducing shame and self-criticism.
Laziness Does Not Exist by Devon Price, PhD
This book challenges the cultural myth of laziness and argues that what is often labeled as "lazy" is actually a result of systemic and personal constructs. By encouraging self-compassion and by understanding the real reasons behind procrastination and burnout, this book offers strategies for anyone who may be feeling the effects of being pushed into over productivity.
Stop People Pleasing by Hailey Magee
Hailey Magee offers strategies to break free from the habit of seeking external validation and prioritizing others' needs over one's own. By fostering assertiveness and self-respect, the book helps improve mental health through enhanced self-esteem and reduced anxiety.
Finance for the People by Paco de Leon
Financial stress is a common contributor to anxiety and feelings of instability. This book provides practical financial advice while addressing the emotional aspects of money management, helping readers reduce financial stress and supporting improved mental health through greater control and confidence over personal finances.
My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem. A therapeutic exploration of the complexities of racism, white privilege, and how different bodies and nervous systems are interact with these subjects.
The ABC’s of LGBT+ by Ash Hardell. A fantastic resource book for anyone looking for space to explore gender, sexuality, and identity in the queer community.
