Book Corner
While therapy gives us space to process and heal together, reading can add another layer - a way to reflect, learn, or just feel a little less alone between sessions.
This corner is a collection of books I often share with clients because they’re honest, practical, and encouraging. They’re not meant to replace therapy, but they can be a comforting companion on your path.
“These recommendations are for informational purposes only
and aren't a substitute for therapy.”
Sexuality and Relationships
“Come As You Are”
by Emily Nagoski
This book dives into the science of sexuality and explains why there’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to desire.
This is one of my go-to recommendations for clients who want to better understand themselves and their sexuality.
Nagoski explains the science of desire, stress, and pleasure in a way that feels empowering and shame-free.
It’s not just about sex — it’s about learning how your body and mind work together, and how to approach yourself with more compassion and curiosity.
“The Body Keeps the Score”
by Bessel van der Kolk
This book is a cornerstone in understanding how trauma lives in the body and brain.
It explains why symptoms show up the way they do and offers hope for healing through different therapeutic approaches.
Trauma & Healing
Mindfulness & Self-Compassion
“Self-Compassion”
by Kristin Neff
Practical and compassionate, this book teaches how to shift from harsh self-criticism to kinder, more supportive inner dialogue.
This book has hugely influenced my own life and the way I talk to myself. Before reading it, I struggled a lot with shame and being overly critical of myself.
Neff’s approach to self-compassion is practical, research-based, and deeply human.
It helped me soften the way I relate to myself, and I recommend it often to clients who are learning how to replace harsh self-talk with kindness.
“Attached”
by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller
Explains attachment styles and how they play out in relationships. Accessible and often eye-opening for couples or individuals.
This is a book I recommend to clients often, and one I also gift to friends regularly.
Understanding attachment styles isn’t just helpful in therapy, it’s something we can all benefit from.
The book makes it easy to see how our patterns show up in relationships and gives practical tools for building healthier, more secure connections.
Relationships
Relational
“All About Love: New Vision”
by Bell Hooks
Explores the deeper meaning of love beyond cultural myths and romantic ideals. Hooks argues that many people are never truly taught how to love, which leads to disconnection, loneliness, and unhealthy relationships. Drawing from personal experience, psychology, and social critique, she reframes love as a conscious action that requires honesty, compassion, accountability, and emotional growth.
The book connects self‑love, community care, and justice, showing that love is both personal and social. Ultimately, hooks presents love as a transformative force that can heal individuals, strengthen relationships, and create a more caring society.
“Parenting from the Inside Out”
by Daniel J. Siegel & Mary Hartzell
Explores how a parent’s own childhood experiences, emotions, and attachment history shape the way they parent.
The book emphasizes self‑awareness and reflection, showing that when parents understand their own inner world, they can respond to their children with greater empathy, emotional attunement, and intention.
It combines neuroscience, attachment theory, and practical examples to help parents foster secure relationships, emotional regulation, and healthy development in their children.
Parenting
Connection & Emotional well-being
“The Joy of Movement”
by Kelly Mcgonigal
Explores how physical movement supports emotional resilience, connection, and mental well‑being not through discipline or appearance, but through pleasure and meaning.
Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and real human stories, McGonigal shows how movement can reduce anxiety, heal trauma, foster social bonds, and help us feel more alive. The book reframes exercise as a powerful, accessible tool for emotional health and human connection rather than a task we “should” do.
Nourishment
“This Is Your Brain on Food”
by Dr. Uma Naidoo
Explores the powerful connection between nutrition and mental health, showing how what we eat directly affects mood, focus, anxiety, depression, and overall brain functioning.
Blending psychiatry, neuroscience, and nutritional science, Dr. Naidoo explains how specific foods support brain health and emotional balance while offering practical, accessible guidance for using nutrition as part of mental wellness care. The book reframes food as a meaningful tool for supporting both brain and emotional well‑being not a cure, but a foundation.
Motivational
“Man's Search for Meaning”
by Viktor E. Frankl
Explains how people can find purpose even in extremely difficult circumstances. Viktor Frankl combines his experiences surviving concentration camps with his therapy approach, logotherapy, which is based on the idea that humans are motivated by the need to find meaning in life.
The book shows that meaning can come from three main areas: what we create or contribute, the relationships and love we experience, and the attitude we choose when facing unavoidable suffering. Overall, it focuses on resilience, purpose, and the human ability to find meaning even during hardship.
“The Let them Theory”
by Mel Robbins
Focuses on finding meaning through acceptance, boundaries, and personal responsibility. The core idea is that trying to control other people creates stress, while letting others make their own choices helps you reclaim your energy and emotional well‑being.
The approach encourages shifting focus from controlling others (“let them”) to controlling your own actions (“let me”). The book emphasizes self‑awareness, healthier relationships, and emotional freedom by helping readers understand what they can and cannot control in life.
Acceptance
