recommended reads
As counselors, we sometimes come across books that we feel are invaluable not only to ourselves, not even just for our clients, but to anyone who is seeking to learn useful techniques and exercises they can incorporate into their everyday lives. For this reason, we made a list of recommended reads, which we feel would be beneficial to you.
The Body Keeps The Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma
By: Bessel van der Kolk, M.D.
This #1 New York Times Bestseller is written as a narrative into how trauma can affect people on many levels, including how it can reshape our body and brain. Dr. van der Kolk then goes on to offer a look into some innovative treatments that can offer new ways to recover after traumatic events, all while utilizing your brain’s neuroplasticity abilities. We love neuroplasticity and the brain’s natural ability to retrain itself towards positive or healthy behaviors, so this book comes highly recommended for anyone healing after trauma.
If you’re interested in reading more about neuroplasticity, you can read our blog post on the subject HERE.
Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life With Self-Help Techniques From EMDR Therapy
By: Francine Shapiro
Francine Shapiro is the creator of EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) therapy and provides us with an easy to utilize book full of scientifically researched and evidence-based EMDR therapies. Filled with understandable lingo, a hint of humor and intriguing stories from real life people, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the power of EMDR therapy. We recommend this book because of its readability and usefulness for anyone who is looking for ways to recover from trauma and want to start at home.
If you are interested in meeting with a therapist to discuss EMDR treatments, please feel free to contact us.
Tapping In: A Step-by-Step Guide to Activating Your Healing Resources Through Bilateral Stimulation
By: Laurel Parnell, PHD
EMDR expert Laurel Parnell has put together a step-by-step guide filled to the brim with easy-to-learn and easy-to-utilize exercises to help you in accessing your “latent positive resources,” as a form of preventative self-care. Through accessing your “latent positive resources,” you are on your way to increasing your internal resilience and sense of safety.
EMDR has been proven to be useful in recovering from trauma, which is why we feel this book is an excellent place to start for anyone who is curious.
If you have further questions on EMDR, one of our EMDR-trained counselors would be happy to help!
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind
By: Daniel J. Siegel
The Whole-Brain Child is a New York Times Bestseller written by neuropsychiatrist Daniel Siegel, and provides a practical approach to understanding the science behind your child’s brain, their developmental patterns, and how your child’s brain changes as they grow. This book can help you to understand more about your child’s behaviors so you are able to be more empathetic towards their actions and reactions. We recommend this book for anyone who is seeking to learn more about the inner-workings of their child’s developing mind.
No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind
By: Daniel J. Siegel
This is another New York Times Bestseller by neuropsychiatrist Daniel Siegel and this book delves into the complex relationship between the way a child’s brain develops alongside the ways that parents can react to misbehavior. No-Drama Discipline provides techniques on how to determine their own personal discipline philosophy, along with providing instruction on how to best communicate with your child during times where discipline is necessary. We recommend this book because of its ability to clearly define what discipline is, while giving a full picture on how various methods of disciplining can affect your child.
