Recommended Reading
I’ve put together a list of some of the books I frequently recommend to my clients. Most of these are available at your local library and at most major bookstores (or can be easily ordered).
Depression
The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time by Alex Korb.
Lost Connections: Why You’re Depressed and How to Find Hope by Johann Hari
Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened by Allie Brosh (Erin’s note: this one is more for fun than information but Allie Brosh provides some darkly funny insights into what it’s like living with depression.)
Early Parenting
Parenting from the Inside Out: How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive by Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell
Perinatal Issues
When Postpartum Packs a Punch: Fighting Back and Finding Joy by Kristina Cowan
This Isn’t What I Expected: Overcoming Depression Paperback by Karen Kleiman and Valerie Davis Raskin
The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp. (Erin’s note: This book saved my life. If you have a colicky or difficult to soothe baby, read it today!)
Relationships
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert by John Gottman and Nan Silver
Self-Compassion
Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of RAIN by Tara Brach
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brené Brown
Trauma and PTSD
Coping with Trauma-related Dissociation: Skills Training For Patients And Therapists Paperback by Suzette Book, Kathy Steele and Onno van der Hart
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
Loving Someone with PTSD: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Connecting with Your Partner after Trauma by Aphrodite Matsakis