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.

Gay and Brown in L.A. by Anthony Christian Ocampo

• A vivid portrait of queer Filipino American men in Los Angeles, tracing how race, immigration, class, and sexuality intersect to shape identity and belonging.

• Blends personal narratives and ethnography to explore friendship, family expectations, masculinity, and chosen community with nuance and care.

• Highlights resilience, cultural hybridity, and the everyday negotiations of being both gay and brown in a city that promises freedom but still carries constraints.

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.