Welcome to May’s edition of What Your Therapists Are Reading. As usual, we have some great books listed. Therapists from all over have shared what they are reading this month with you and a few thoughts about the book. I would love to know some of your thoughts about these books as well. Feel free to comment below.
What Your Therapists Are Reading May 2015
Even as a therapist, it takes effort and decoupling to “practice what I preach.” This book is reminding me of the value in vulnerability and the benefits of being gentle with myself in challenging times. Brené Brown’s work resonates with me on such a deep, heartfelt level. You can connect with Robyn D’Angelo, LMFT at www.TherapywithRobyn.com
The Compassionate Mind: A New Approach to Live’s Challenges by Paul Gilbert, PH.D
A wonderful book clearly explaining mindfulness and self-compassion concepts and exercises that are easy to follow and work. You can connect with Debbi Carberry at www.debbicarberry.com.au
The Trauma of Everyday Life by Mark Epstein, MD.
Often we think of trauma as this horrible thing that happens to us and shakes the bedrock of our lives and worldview. But what if we choose to shift our view of trauma and suffering from the unpleasant exceptions in life. And rather saw it as an inseparable reality of human experience? Using Buddhist philosophy as the lens through which this shift occurs, Mark leads the reader on a journey that reframes human suffering as a tool to gain more compassion for all people. You can connect with E.J. Smith at www.simplyej.com, www.twitter.com/SimplyEJS and www.facebook.com/SimplyEJ
Facing Codependence: What It Is, Where It Comes From, How it Sabotages Our Lives by Pia Mellody.
Looking at codependence and how it affects all of our lives from love dependence to praise dependence. This book breaks down what are healthy boundaries. How they become dysfunctional and how we can improve them to better ourselves and our relations to others in our lives. You can connect with John Harrison, LPCC at www.cincinnaticounselingreiki.com
Permission to Parent: How to Raise Your Child with Love and Limits by Robin Berman, MD
Not another parenting fad book! The book teaches parents to be comfortable setting boundaries while maintaining a loving connection, fostering self-esteem, respect, and emotional maturity. This book uses anecdotes, advice and research to provide parents the tools they need to enjoy their children, without anxiety. You can connect with Jill Ceder
at www.childcare.about.com
Based on Attachment theory (for children) they talk about how there are three types of attachment styles and how our relationships are affected by what type of attachment style we have. This book is excellent because it provides an understanding of adult attachment. It reveals how an understanding of your attachment style will help you find a long-term stable relationship. The book guides readers in determining their attachment style they and their partner (or future partner) follow, and then provides a road map as to how to build stronger, more fulfilling connections with the people they love.You can connect with Natasha Daniels, LCSW Child Therapist and Toddler Specialist at http://www.anxioustoddlers.com or http://www.facebook.com/anxioustoddlers
The Engaged Leader: A Strategy for Your Digital Transformation by Charlene Li
Increasingly, each of the disciplines in mental health is struggling to inspire and instill leadership within their ranks to build and support ethical communities of care.
Charlene Li has written a short call to action to let go of traditional hierarchical thinking about leadership, encouraging us to engage with each other on social media, be willing to shift our thinking about relationships, and to be strategic in our goal-setting and the digital tools that we use.
For any therapist interested in leading and serving their peers and / or their clients, this is a quick read with solid advice for adapting to the demands and opportunities that present themselves in the digital age. You can connect with Tamara G. Suttle, M.Ed., LPC at http://www.AllThingsPrivatePractice.com
“May I Be Happy: A Memoir of Love, Yoga and Changing My Mind,” by Cyndi Lee.
I’m currently listening to the audio CD of this book. Author Cyndi Lee, a yoga and meditation teacher and dancer who is the founder of Om Yoga in New York City, shares her struggle to love her body and love herself as she travels the world teaching yoga. It’s entertaining and thought provoking at once and she shares mindfulness practices throughout the book. As a therapist I can relate to the struggle of living my own practice. You can connect with Laura Reagan, LCSW-C Severna Park, MD at www.laurareaganlcswc.com
I would say this is a fabulous list, wouldn’t you? Thank you so much for taking the time to read What Your Therapists are Reading for May 2015. We hope you have found it helpful. If you need to catch up on What Your Therapists are Reading check out January, February, March and April.
Are you a therapist and want to share what you are reading? We do this every month so just send an email at jlfcounselingservices (at) gmail (dot) com.
Happy Reading,
Jessica Fowler, LCSW
Please note that this is for educational and informational purposes only.