What Your Therapists Are Reading

Ever wonder what your therapist reads?  Well you are about to find out.  I have gathered therapists from all over the world to share what they are reading this month with you.  There are a lot of great books out there and we are here to share them with you.  Here are some of our quick thoughts about what we are reading.  Don’t worry, we don’t spend our time just reading books on psychology, we have some fun ones too!

WHAT YOUR THERAPIST ARE READING

JANURARY 2015

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

Sarah Leitschuh, MA, LMFT

The book I am currently reading is Yes, Please by Amy Poehler. This is Amy Poehler’s memoir and she talks about her experiences as a comedian and a mother. While the parts about Amy’s experiences as a comedian are interesting, it is the pieces about parenting that resonate most with me. As a parent myself and a therapist who works with a lot of parents, the part that sticks out to me the most is when she talks about her “Good for her! Not for me” approach. As parents it can feel like there is a lot of pressure to make the “right” decisions or a tendency to compare our parenting decisions to those that others have made. I appreciated Amy’s ability to talk about the way in which she can recognize the decisions that others are making as good decisions for them, but also feel confident in making different parenting decisions for her family. 

Sarah Leitschuh, MA, LMFT is a family therapist working with children, adolescents and their parents.  She also provides workshops on topics of interest.  You can find her www.sarahleitschuhcounseling.com.

 

Making a Change for Good: A guide to Compassionate Self-Discipline by Cheri Huber

Emma Cameron, Integrative Arts Psycholtherapist

I’m planning a workshop for women who struggle with accepting their bodies and regulating their eating, and I’ve just come across this great book: “Making a Change for Good: A Guide to Compassionate Self-Discipline” by Cheri Huber. The author shows a new way to approach difficulties with issues such as eating, procrastination, etc., based not on self-punishment but on self-compassion and awareness. 

Emma Cameron, Integrative Arts Psychotherapist practices in London, UK. and specializes in working with women.  She also provides workshops.   You can find her at  www.resilienceflow.org
www.facebook.com/resilienceflow

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

Jessica Fowler, LCSW

I just finished reading The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg.  Charles Duhigg talks about how we all have habits and he explores how to change those habits.  He talks about a “habit loop”: cue (trigger), routine and then reward.  Often it is not necessarily about breaking a habit, but rather replacing the habit. We all have habits in our lives, some healthy and some not so healthy.  This is a read that will get you thinking about your own habits for sure.

Jessica Fowler, LCSW is a therapist working with women and moms.  You can connect with her at https://www.jlfcounselingservices.com/

Love Sense: The Revolutionary New Science of Romantic Relationships by Dr. Sue Johnson

Anna Osborn, Licensed Psychotherapist and Relationship Specialist

I’m reading Love Sense by Sue Johnson. It’s an absolute must read for anyone who is, has or wants to be in a relationship. It breaks down why love can by so difficult and helps to make sense of how to stop working against ourselves in love. You can connect with  Anna Osborn at http://www.annaosbornmft.com/

When Panic Attacks: The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That Can Change Your Life by David D. Burns, MD

Kim Openo, LAPC CMFT NCC

I am re-reading When Panic Attacks by David Burns, MD. This book combines the real-world stories of people who have anxiety with congitive behavior therapy work in a way that makes it palatable for clients and therapists. I have enjoyed reading it a second time to work through WITH clients because anxiety and stress are getting more and more prevalent in my practice.  This book is a superb tool to combine with mindfulness & relaxation and interpersonal therapy. Kim Openo, LAPC CMFT NCC works with clients from Norcross GA at North Pines Counseling Center. Kim’s specialty is grief and trauma, but works with stress, anxiety, and crisis as well. You can connect with Kim at www.kimopeno.com.

The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times by Pema Chodron.

Erin Corey, MA, MHC-LP

A quick and insightful read! This book based on Buddhist principles will apply to any difficult situation you are facing. As Pema Chodron writes, “we can let the circumstances of our lives harden us so that we become increasingly resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften us and make us kinder and more open to what scares us.” Learning how to tap in to strength, connection, acceptance, compassion and bravery are just a few of the powerful topics covered in this book.   You can connect with Erin  at www.yourpathtowellnesscounseling.com

Overcoming Low-Self Esteem: A self-help guide using Cognitive Behavioral Techniques by Melanie Fennell

Lisette Zeeuw, Clinical Psychologist

I’m re-reading “overcoming low self-esteem” from Melanie Fennel. It’s a great self-help book. It gives one of the best explanations about where low self-esteem originates that I’ve ever read, and my clients find it easy to understand. Also, the book provides real person testimonials, and practical homework and exercises to overcome low self-esteem.  You can connect with Lisette at www.llzeeuw.com or at Facebook website at https://m.facebook.com/llzeeuwPsychologistBarcelona

embody: Learning to Love Your Unique Body (and quiet that critical voice!) by Connie Sobczak

Natalie Wingfield, licensed professional counselor, therapist and registered yoga instructor

I’m reading embody: Learning to Love Your Unique Body (and quiet that critical voice!) by Connie Sobczak. I specialize in eating disorders and this is a great read for myself and my clients. It includes specific steps for loving and caring for your body. You can connect with Natalie at http://vabeachcounseling.com/therapist-blog/

 

The Yamas and Niyamas: Exploring Yoga’s Ethical Practice by Deborah Adele

Jamie L. Summer Stacks, LPC, LACAC and Mindful Living Expert

It is a guide to living the yogic life and principals which I find to be an ideal set of guidelines. It is a constant work in progress to work to incorporate these into my everyday life and I will never fully be there but it provides an amazing place to strive for.

Jamie L. Summers Stacks, LPC, LADAC and Mindful Living Expert. She strives to bring mindfulness and the huge benefits it can have to everyone she can. Jamie provides mental health therapy and does media interviews, speaking and training for other mental health professionals.  You can connect with Jamie L. Summer Stacks, LPC, LACAC at www.jamiestackstherapy.

Marketing for the Mental Health Professional: An Innovative Guide for Practitioners by David P. Diana

Brenda Bomgardner, MA, LPC, NCC, BCC

I am reading for the second time the book Marketing for the Mental Health Professional by David P. Diana. I read it the first time when I was launching my private practice and I wanted to succeed in business. I still feel the same fire of desire to succeed because I love what I do and the people I work with. I want to reach the people I work best with because I believe a good fit helps create success for the people who come to me for therapy. The book has affordable ideas anybody can use. 

Brenda Bomgardner, MA, LPC, NCC, BCC helps people who are survivors of catastrophic violence to create a life beyond loss and trauma. She helps people change their relationship with pain and suffering. You can connect with Brenda at http://www.CreatingYourBeyond.com

The Song of the Vikings: Snorri and the Making of Norse Myths by Nancy Marie Brown

Tamara G. Suttle, Licensed Professional Counselor

I’m reading Song of the Vikings: Snorri and the Making of the Norse Myths By Nancy Marie Brown.

Snorri Sturlson was an Icelandic poet, historian, politician, and mythologist that lived during the Middle Ages. His legacy, in part, is that his works were the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings (trilogy) and also some of C.S. Lewis’ works.

Tamara G. Suttle, Licensed Professional Counselor owns her own private practice. You can connect with her at http://www.tamarasuttle.com.  Tamara also has her own coaching / consulting / professional mentoring primarily with therapists who are focused on building their clinical practices. You can connect with her for coaching at www.allthingsprivatepractice.com

Outrageous Openness: Letting the Divine Take the Lead by Tosha Silver

Laura Reagan, MS, LCSW-C

I have just started reading Outrageous Openness by Tosha Silver, a collection of funny stories about connecting with one’s own spirituality. It was recommended by a trusted friend who said it changed her life by helping her become more open to receiving abundance in all areas of her life. I am excited to get started with it! Laura Reagan, MSW, LCSW-C, a psychotherapist in private practice in the Baltimore, Maryland area.  You can connect with Laura at http://www.laurareaganlcswc.com

Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature by Connie Zweig

Renee Beck, LMFT

Just picked up “Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature” for a reread. It’s a delightful book, an anthology of talks from a symposium on the topic. I’m especially fond of Robert Bly’s piece, “The Long Bag We Drag Behind Us.” – Renee Beck, LMFT. Dreamwork & Transpersonal Therapy, Clinical Consultation, Supervision & Training. Oakland, CA. You can connect with Renee at http://www.ReneeBeckMFT.com

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex by John Gray, Ph.D.

Amanda Patterson, LMHC

I’m reading Men are from Mars, when are from Venus by John Gray. I’ve just started it and I like it already. It highlights how men and women operate differently and when each sex becomes more aware of how the other sex behaves, then we will have a greater understanding of how to interact in a more harmonious way. I’m intrigued to read everything he has to say and look forward to using what I learn in my practice. You connect with me at  https://www.facebook.com/AmandaPattersonLMHC

Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marsh B. Rosenberg

Peg Shippert, LPC

I’m reading Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg. I give this book to clients whenever a gift seems in order (graduations, marriages, etc.). I reread it myself frequently, to remind myself how to bring out the best in those I am in relationship with (including myself). Also Freedom From Your Inner Critic by Jay Earley and Bonnie Weiss. I often use Internal Family Systems techniques, especially for anxious clients, and this one is basically a manual for digging down to the core wounds that underlie a lot of anxiety, and healing them. This is another one I recommend to clients, and reread frequently. You can connect with Peg at www.pegshippert.com

Thanks for taking time to read what your therapists are reading for January, 2015.  We hope that you have found this helpful and will be picking up some new books.  Are you a therapist and want to share what you are reading?  Well we are doing this every month so email me at jlfcounselingservices (@) gmail.com

Happy Reading,

Jessica Fowler, LCSW