Therapy doesn't just happen in our sessions; it happens in the moments of reflection between them. These are the books that inform my work and the resources I most often share with my clients. Whether you’re looking to understand your past or find more peace in your present, I hope you find something here for you.
Understanding Your Internal World
No Bad Parts by Richard C. Schwartz, PhD: A foundational look at the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model, explaining how our personalities are made up of various "parts" that all have good intentions. It helps us move away from self-criticism and toward "Self-leadership," allowing us to heal the wounded parts of ourselves rather than just trying to "fix" them.
Transcending Trauma by Frank G. Anderson, MD: A compassionate roadmap for healing complex PTSD and relational trauma using the IFS lens. It provides a clear framework for how we safely process deep-seated trauma without becoming overwhelmed by it.
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, MD: The definitive guide to how trauma reshapes both the brain and the body, and the various paths to recovery. This book validates that trauma isn't just "in your head"—it's a physical experience—and helps us understand why somatic (body-based) work is a vital part of our sessions.
The Art of Connection & Parenting
Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy: A shift in parenting (and self-parenting) that assumes everyone is "good inside" and that behavior is simply a signal of an unmet need. This book aligns with our therapeutic goal of self-compassion, helping you parent your children—and your own "inner child"—with more resilience and less shame.
The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel, MD, and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD: Practical brain-science to help navigate the big emotions of childhood. It provides the "neuroscience of connection," showing us how to integrate the emotional and logical parts of the brain during moments of high stress.
The Gift of Therapy by Irvin D. Yalom, MD: A collection of "tips" and reflections on the therapeutic process from a master clinician, written for both practitioners and patients. It demystifies the therapy room and highlights the power of the "here-and-now" relationship between therapist and client.
Healing Family Patterns
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD: An exploration of the lasting impact of growing up with parents who were self-involved, distant, or emotionally volatile. It provides the language to understand your upbringing and offers practical tools to set boundaries and protect your own emotional well-being.
It Didn’t Start with You by Mark Wolynn: A look at inherited family trauma and how the experiences of our ancestors can influence our current emotional health. It allows us to look at "stuck" patterns from a generational perspective, helping to break cycles that have been in place for decades.
Codependent No More by Melody Beattie: The classic guide to reclaiming your own life and identity when you have become deeply intertwined with the struggles, needs, or behaviors of another person. This is a helpful resource for anyone navigating the unique challenges that arise when substance use is present in a relationship or family. Whether you are navigating your own journey with substances or are walking alongside a loved one, this book helps you find the balance between maintaining compassion for others and reclaiming the responsibility to care for your own emotional peace.
Tools for the Body
Tapping In by Laurel Parnell, PhD: A step-by-step guide to "Resource Tapping," a technique using bilateral stimulation to install positive resources and calm the nervous system. It gives you a "take-home" tool to manage anxiety and build internal strength between our appointments.