What Your Therapists Are Reading

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Ever wonder what your therapist reads?  Well you are about to find out.  I have gathered therapists from all over the world to share what they are reading this month with you.  There are a lot of great books out there and we are here to share them with you.  Here are some of our quick thoughts about what we are reading.  Don’t worry, we don’t spend our time just reading books on psychology, we have some fun ones too!

WHAT YOUR THERAPIST ARE READING

JANURARY 2015

amy phoeler

Yes Please by Amy Poehler

Sarah Leitschuh, MA, LMFT

The book I am currently reading is Yes, Please by Amy Poehler. This is Amy Poehler’s memoir and she talks about her experiences as a comedian and a mother. While the parts about Amy’s experiences as a comedian are interesting, it is the pieces about parenting that resonate most with me. As a parent myself and a therapist who works with a lot of parents, the part that sticks out to me the most is when she talks about her “Good for her! Not for me” approach. As parents it can feel like there is a lot of pressure to make the “right” decisions or a tendency to compare our parenting decisions to those that others have made. I appreciated Amy’s ability to talk about the way in which she can recognize the decisions that others are making as good decisions for them, but also feel confident in making different parenting decisions for her family. 

Sarah Leitschuh, MA, LMFT is a family therapist working with children, adolescents and their parents.  She also provides workshops on topics of interest.  You can find her www.sarahleitschuhcounseling.com.

 making a change for good

Making a Change for Good: A guide to Compassionate Self-Discipline by Cheri Huber

Emma Cameron, Integrative Arts Psycholtherapist

I’m planning a workshop for women who struggle with accepting their bodies and regulating their eating, and I’ve just come across this great book: “Making a Change for Good: A Guide to Compassionate Self-Discipline” by Cheri Huber. The author shows a new way to approach difficulties with issues such as eating, procrastination, etc., based not on self-punishment but on self-compassion and awareness. 

Emma Cameron, Integrative Arts Psychotherapist practices in London, UK. and specializes in working with women.  She also provides workshops.   You can find her at  www.resilienceflow.org
www.facebook.com/resilienceflow

untitled

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg

Jessica Fowler, LCSW

I just finished reading The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg.  Charles Duhigg talks about how we all have habits and he explores how to change those habits.  He talks about a “habit loop”: cue (trigger), routine and then reward.  Often it is not necessarily about breaking a habit, but rather replacing the habit. We all have habits in our lives, some healthy and some not so healthy.  This is a read that will get you thinking about your own habits for sure.

Jessica Fowler, LCSW is a therapist working with women and moms.  You can connect with her at https://www.jlfcounselingservices.com/

love sense

Love Sense: The Revolutionary New Science of Romantic Relationships by Dr. Sue Johnson

Anna Osborn, Licensed Psychotherapist and Relationship Specialist

I’m reading Love Sense by Sue Johnson. It’s an absolute must read for anyone who is, has or wants to be in a relationship. It breaks down why love can by so difficult and helps to make sense of how to stop working against ourselves in love. You can connect with  Anna Osborn at http://www.annaosbornmft.com/

panic attacks

When Panic Attacks: The New, Drug-Free Anxiety Therapy That Can Change Your Life by David D. Burns, MD

Kim Openo, LAPC CMFT NCC

I am re-reading When Panic Attacks by David Burns, MD. This book combines the real-world stories of people who have anxiety with congitive behavior therapy work in a way that makes it palatable for clients and therapists. I have enjoyed reading it a second time to work through WITH clients because anxiety and stress are getting more and more prevalent in my practice.  This book is a superb tool to combine with mindfulness & relaxation and interpersonal therapy. Kim Openo, LAPC CMFT NCC works with clients from Norcross GA at North Pines Counseling Center. Kim’s specialty is grief and trauma, but works with stress, anxiety, and crisis as well. You can connect with Kim at www.kimopeno.com.

places

The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times by Pema Chodron.

Erin Corey, MA, MHC-LP

A quick and insightful read! This book based on Buddhist principles will apply to any difficult situation you are facing. As Pema Chodron writes, “we can let the circumstances of our lives harden us so that we become increasingly resentful and afraid, or we can let them soften us and make us kinder and more open to what scares us.” Learning how to tap in to strength, connection, acceptance, compassion and bravery are just a few of the powerful topics covered in this book.   You can connect with Erin  at www.yourpathtowellnesscounseling.com

 

openness

 

Outrageous Openness: Letting the Divine Take the Lead by Tosha Silver

Laura Reagan, MS, LCSW-C

I have just started reading Outrageous Openness by Tosha Silver, a collection of funny stories about connecting with one’s own spirituality. It was recommended by a trusted friend who said it changed her life by helping her become more open to receiving abundance in all areas of her life. I am excited to get started with it! Laura Reagan, MSW, LCSW-C, a psychotherapist in private practice in the Baltimore, Maryland area.  You can connect with Laura at http://www.laurareaganlcswc.com

 

dark

Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature by Connie Zweig

Renee Beck, LMFT

Just picked up “Meeting the Shadow: The Hidden Power of the Dark Side of Human Nature” for a reread. It’s a delightful book, an anthology of talks from a symposium on the topic. I’m especially fond of Robert Bly’s piece, “The Long Bag We Drag Behind Us.” – Renee Beck, LMFT. Dreamwork & Transpersonal Therapy, Clinical Consultation, Supervision & Training. Oakland, CA. You can connect with Renee at http://www.ReneeBeckMFT.com

 

mars

Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus: The Classic Guide to Understanding the Opposite Sex by John Gray, Ph.D.

Amanda Patterson, LMHC

I’m reading Men are from Mars, when are from Venus by John Gray. I’ve just started it and I like it already. It highlights how men and women operate differently and when each sex becomes more aware of how the other sex behaves, then we will have a greater understanding of how to interact in a more harmonious way. I’m intrigued to read everything he has to say and look forward to using what I learn in my practice. You connect with me at  https://www.facebook.com/AmandaPattersonLMHC

 

communication

Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marsh B. Rosenberg

Peg Shippert, LPC

I’m reading Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg. I give this book to clients whenever a gift seems in order (graduations, marriages, etc.). I reread it myself frequently, to remind myself how to bring out the best in those I am in relationship with (including myself). Also Freedom From Your Inner Critic by Jay Earley and Bonnie Weiss. I often use Internal Family Systems techniques, especially for anxious clients, and this one is basically a manual for digging down to the core wounds that underlie a lot of anxiety, and healing them. This is another one I recommend to clients, and reread frequently. You can connect with Peg at www.pegshippert.com

 

Thanks for taking time to read what your therapists are reading for January, 2015.  We hope that you have found this helpful and will be picking up some new books.  Are you a therapist and want to share what you are reading?  Well we are doing this every month so email me at jlfcounselingservices (@) gmail.com

 

Happy Reading,

Jessica Fowler, LCSW

 

 

 

Comment

10 Replies to “What Your Therapists Are Reading”

  1. LOVE!!! It always makes my heart happy to find new book recomendations ) Thanks for putting this together Jessic.

  2. Thanks for inviting me to share what I’m reading, Jessica!

    I can see a few other books on this list that I’d like to take a look at… 🙂

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