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Reccomended Readings

A curated collection of inclusive, trauma-informed books on wellness and mental health

    • Integrative Psychiatry by Daniel A. Monti & Andrew B. Newberg
      An evidence-based guide that blends conventional psychiatry with complementary approaches such as mindfulness, nutrition, and spirituality.

    • The Inflamed Mind by Edward Bullmore
      Explores the links between inflammation in the body and depression, offering a biological-meets-holistic framework for treatment.

    • This Is Your Brain on Food by Uma Naidoo
      A psychiatrist and nutrition expert explains how diet affects anxiety, depression, and emotional well-being.

    • The Anatomy of Anxiety by Ellen Vora
      A holistic psychiatrist reframes anxiety not as a purely mental issue, but as a full-body experience, with practical lifestyle approaches for healing.

    • The Chemistry of Joy by Henry Emmons
      Integrates Western psychiatry with mindfulness, nutrition, and positive psychology to create a personalized path out of depression.

    • Out of the Shadows: Reimagining Gay Men’s Lives by Walt Odets
      A groundbreaking look at the inner lives of gay men, exploring identity, love, trauma, and resilience with honesty and compassion.

    • The Velvet Rage by Alan Downs
      Examines the shame and struggles gay men often face growing up in a heteronormative world, and offers insights into building authenticity and self-acceptance.

    • The Wheel of Time (Series) by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
      An expansive fantasy epic — included as a personal favorite — showing how storytelling and myth can be forms of escape, healing, and resilience.

    • Stumbling by Brandon Flanery
      A memoir of faith, queerness, and self-discovery that reflects on the complexities of leaving religion while embracing identity.Foundations of Therapy

    • Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
      A therapist becomes a client herself, blending humor, humanity, and insight into the healing process.

    • The Gift of Therapy by Irvin Yalom
      Bite-sized wisdom from a legendary psychotherapist; perfect for students, new clinicians, or anyone curious about what therapy looks like from the inside.

    • What Happened to You? by Oprah Winfrey & Dr. Bruce Perry
      A compassionate exploration of childhood trauma through the lens of neuroscience and resilience.

    • The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
      A classic text on how trauma affects the body and mind, and how healing can emerge through body-based and therapeutic practices.

    • My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem
      Explores racialized trauma and introduces somatic practices for healing across generations and communities.

    • Healing the Shame That Binds You by John Bradshaw
      Breaks down how shame is internalized, how it shapes our lives, and how we can work through it to find freedom.

    • Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski
      Explains the stress cycle and offers tools for completing it, especially helpful for women and caregivers.

    • Unwinding Anxiety by Dr. Judson Brewer
      Breaks down how anxiety becomes a habit and teaches brain-based methods to retrain patterns toward calm.

    • Decolonizing Therapy by Dr. Jennifer Mullan
      Calls for reimagining therapy as a liberatory practice, especially for marginalized and BIPOC communities.

    • The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health by Dr. Rheeda Walker
      Breaks down stigma, systemic barriers, and practical coping strategies for Black mental health.

    • Permission to Come Home by Dr. Jenny Wang
      Explores Asian American mental health struggles and offers an affirming, culturally sensitive perspective on healing.

    • Internal Family Systems Therapy by Richard Schwartz
      An accessible introduction to IFS, a therapy model that helps people understand their “parts” and develop inner harmony.

    • DBT Skills Training Handouts and Worksheets by Marsha Linehan
      A practical, hands-on guide to DBT skills for mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.

    • Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond by Judith Beck
      A highly regarded guide to CBT, rooted in evidence and perfect for students, therapists, and curious readers.

    • Attached by Amir Levine & Rachel Heller
      An introduction to attachment styles and how they play out in adult relationships, with practical advice for more secure bonds.

    • Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
      Helps readers recognize where boundaries are missing and build healthier, more empowering ones in every area of life.

    • Polysecure by Jessica Fern
      A trauma-informed take on attachment theory that also applies to non-monogamous and diverse relationship structures.

    • It’s OK That You’re Not OK by Megan Devine
      A grief book that doesn’t try to “fix” pain but instead honors loss and helps you feel less alone in it.

    • Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff
      Introduces research-backed practices for treating yourself with kindness instead of criticism.

    • Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown
      Maps out 87 emotions and experiences, helping readers develop a richer emotional vocabulary and deeper connections.