Books Like...
If you liked The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, here are the top 100 books to read next:
An eye-opening and validating read for those affected by difficult parental relationships - offering clarity, self-understanding, and a path toward healing. Worth a look if you’re ready to explore childhood wounds, but possibly not for everyone.
'Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents' by Lindsay C. Gibson is a self-help book that delves into the complexities of healing from distant, rejecting, or self-involved parents. Readers commend the book for shedding light on attachment issues, childhood trauma, toxic parenting, and the impact of neglectful parenting on shaping one's personality into adulthood. The book is praised for offering insights into relational patterns, emotional maturity, and the struggle to find and maintain healthy relationships.
June 2015•216 pagesEmpathetic, practical, and deeply validating - this is a must-read guide for survivors of childhood trauma looking to move from merely surviving to genuinely thriving, though readers hoping for precise instructions or less intense content may want to dip in carefully.
'Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving' by Pete Walker is a transformative self-help book that delves into the complexities of childhood trauma and its long-lasting impact on individuals. Through a dual perspective as a therapist and a survivor of CPTSD himself, Walker provides practical advice and strategies for healing, offering a deep analysis of CPTSD while also outlining steps for recovery. The book is praised for its empathetic approach, easy-to-remember checklists, and insightful exercises that help readers navigate their healing journey from surviving to thriving.
The writing style of 'Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving' is described as powerful, well-written, and in-depth, offering a comprehensive understanding of CPTSD in a self-help manner. Many readers found the book to be a validating and enlightening read, providing validation for the suffering of individuals who have experienced childhood trauma. Walker's personal experiences and compassionate tone make the book relatable and impactful, guiding readers through difficult memories and situations with a roadmap for authentic healing.
This book describes a multimodal treatment approach to Cptsd. It is oriented toward the most prevalent kind of Cptsd, the kind that comes from growing up in a severely abusive and/or neglectful family...December 2013•376 pagesA compassionate, eye-opening guide for recognizing and healing the invisible wounds of childhood emotional neglect - hugely helpful for many, but some may crave more depth or a broader perspective.
"Running on Empty: Overcome Your Childhood Emotional Neglect" by Jonice Webb, PhD, delves into the topic of emotional neglect and its impact on individuals. It offers insights on how emotional neglect can damage people and provides guidance on how to heal and move forward. Readers have praised the book for its psychological self-help approach, which includes teaching coping skills, communication techniques, and empathy development. Many have found the book to be a valuable resource in understanding the effects of childhood emotional neglect and learning how to navigate through challenging situations.
“…I am trying to draw attention to the immense contribution to the individual and to society which the ordinary good mother with her husband in support makes at the beginning, and which she does simpl...October 2012•302 pagesA comforting, research-backed guide to taming your inner critic and treating yourself with the kindness you truly deserve. Not a miracle cure, but a life-changing mindset shift for many.
'Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself' by Kristin Neff discusses the destructive consequences of negative self-thoughts and how our culture has normalized self-hatred and harsh self-judgment. Dr. Neff provides methods to quiet these habitual negative thoughts, emphasizing treating oneself with kindness and understanding, similar to how one would treat a friend in need. explores the concept of self-compassion as an alternative to self-criticism, highlighting the importance of acknowledging our common humanity and practicing mindful awareness. Through research findings, personal stories, and practical exercises, Dr. Neff guides readers on a journey towards healing destructive emotional patterns and cultivating self-compassion for a healthier and happier life.
This kind of compulsive concern with “I, me, and mine” isn’t the same as loving ourselves . . . Loving ourselves points us to capacities of resilience, compassion, and understanding within that are si...April 2011•331 pages- #5
Save:An accessible, compassionate guide to understanding trauma’s ripple effects, packed with empathy and science. Ideal for anyone seeking insight, healing, or just a better understanding of themselves and others.
'What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing' by Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry delves into the impact of childhood trauma on adult behavior, offering insights into understanding and healing from past experiences. Narrated in a conversational style, the book presents practical applications of trauma responses in relationships, making complex topics like trauma, regulation, neuroscience, and child development accessible to readers. Through interview Q&A format and real-world examples, the authors provide readers with crucial skills to recognize and address disruptive behavioral patterns rooted in past traumas.
More than 130 million babies are born in the world every year. Each arrives into their own unique set of social, economic, and cultural circumstances. Some are welcomed with gratitude and joy, cradled...April 2021•286 pages A heartfelt, courageous memoir that blends personal healing with investigative depth - 'What My Bones Know' is moving, illuminating, and validating for trauma survivors and anyone wanting a deep dive into what it really means to heal.
'What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma' by Stephanie Foo is a powerful and emotional memoir that delves into the author's journey of surviving complex trauma and her relentless pursuit of healing. Through impeccable and vulnerable storytelling, Foo shares her coping mechanisms, self-soothing techniques, and in-depth analysis of her hometown and past experiences. The book is praised for its relatable tone, cultural depth, and the author's ability to share nuanced and painful experiences of severe childhood abuse.
The narrative in the book resonates with readers struggling with CPTSD, providing a raw and honest account of the effects of an abusive childhood and dysfunctional upbringing. Foo's writing style is described as searingly honest, immensely helpful, and essential for anyone looking to heal from trauma. The book not only offers personal insights but also sheds light on the flaws in the healthcare system and the journey of relentless healing and recovery from trauma.
There are only four family movies that haven’t been thrown away. I keep the tapes in the highest, farthest corner of my closet. I can’t watch them—who even has a VCR anymore? Still, I keep them as the...February 2022•340 pages- #7
Save:A groundbreaking, thought-provoking tour of our mental shortcuts and decision-making flaws - essential reading for anyone interested in how humans think, but be prepared for a dense and sometimes repetitive ride.
"Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman is a comprehensive study on human thought processes, highlighting how individuals are prone to cognitive illusions and biases. The book delves into the concept of two systems of thinking - one fast and intuitive, the other slow and analytical - and explores how these systems impact decision-making in various aspects of life, including business and personal choices. Kahneman skillfully combines decades of research in psychology and economics to provide insights into human behavior, emphasizing the importance of understanding our cognitive tendencies to make better decisions.
Your experience as you look at the woman’s face seamlessly combines what we normally call seeing and intuitive thinking. As surely and quickly as you saw that the young woman’s hair is dark, you knew...October 2011•531 pages Thought-provoking, challenging, and broad in scope - The Myth of Normal is a must-read for anyone curious about the hidden forces shaping our minds and bodies, but it's best suited for those ready to grapple with some tough truths.
'The Myth of Normal' by Gabor Mate delves into the topics of trauma, illness, and healing in a toxic culture. Mate explores how early trauma shapes personality and behavior, touching on the connection between trauma and mental and physical health. discusses the impact of stress, isolation, and oppression on overall well-being, shedding light on how suppressing and ignoring pain and trauma can affect mental and physical health.
Picture this: At the tender age of seventy-one, six years before this writing, your author arrives back in Vancouver from a speaking jaunt to Philadelphia. The talk was successful, the audience enthus...September 2022•568 pages- #9
Save:A classic and science-backed resource for understanding and improving your mood, best for those looking for hands-on CBT tools. Not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a solid starting point for many on the path to better mental health.
Readers find 'Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy' by David D. Burns to be a helpful guide in dealing with depression and anxiety. The book delves into cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to combat negative thinking patterns and provides exercises to increase self-awareness. Despite some criticism towards the writing style, readers appreciate the practical advice and steps offered to control one's own thoughts and emotions.
Depression has been called the world’s number one public health problem. In fact, depression is so widespread it is considered the common cold of psychiatric disturbances. But there is a grim differen...1980•695 pages A clear, practical guide to changing your habits - if you want to build better routines or break bad ones, this is one of the easiest and most useful books out there. Not revolutionary, but worth reading for almost anyone looking to make lasting changes.
'Atomic Habits' by James Clear is a practical guide on how to build good habits and break bad ones. The author provides tangible takeaways such as habit stacking, environmental cues, and temptation bundling to help readers understand the power of their daily actions in shaping their identity and desired outcomes. Clear offers a blueprint for setting up one's environment and time to establish positive habits and eliminate negative ones, emphasizing the importance of making small, incremental changes over time for significant results.
Imagine two people resisting a cigarette. When offered a smoke, the first person says, “No thanks. I’m trying to quit.” It sounds like a reasonable response, but this person still believes they are a...2016•309 pages
