What Your Therapists are Reading February 2018

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The last time I did the blog post “What Your Therapists are Reading” was December 2016.  I had no intention of taking such a long break from it.  But time just kept passing and I never got back to it.  Until now and I am so excited to be back at it!  When I reached out to other therapists for this project, I was overhwelmed by the support.  It is exciting to know that others have missed it and those who didn’t know about it were just as excited to not only read it, but contribute.  As always, we have a great variety for you.  The topics range from relationships, shame, leadership, the body-mental health connection, narcississim, and so much more.

Mating In Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence by Esther Pere

I am so impressed with the way Esther weaves sexuality into a whole picture of individual and relationship health, and normalizes all kinds of sexual expressions that many people are confused by. I have already found the book helpful with both individuals and couples. You can connect with Abby Thompson, California LMFT# 94639 can be reached at www.abbythompsontherapy.com

Tribal Leadership: Leverging Natural Groups to Build a Thriving Lorganization

by Dave Logan, John King, and Halee Fischer-Wright

I am making a major (and terrifying) change in my practice, making a leap from small group to very large group and I have a lot of learn about leadership. This book has a lot of ideas about building a team that is working together for a greater purpose, which is a good fit for a counseling practice. I’ve taken several ideas from it. You can connect with Debbie McJimsey, LMFT at www.westrosevillecounseling.com

Understanding and Treating Chronic Shame: A Relational-Neurobiological Approach by  Dr. Patricia A. DeYoung

This book is an amazing asset in understanding the development of shame and how to recognize the subtle signs of shame in the therapy hour. As a clinician it also is extremely helpful in understanding our own patterns of shame and how to keep countertranference from affecting treatment of clients. If you’re looking for a step-by-step treatment formula this won’t be your book (because for shame, that is non-existant)- but I recommend everyone, therapists and non-therapists alike, read this book to understand what truly helps attack this sinister emotion. You can connect with Kelly E. Minyard, MS, APC at Kelly@awilsonlpc.com

Immunity to Change: How to Overcome It and Unlock the Potential in Yourself and Your Organization

by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey

This book does a fabulous job of exploring the hidden reasons why we struggle to make the changes we desperately want. The authors, who are accomplished researchers and consultants, present a compelling framework that helps us understand why we work against our own desires for change as well as lots of ideas about how to move forward. It’s written primarily for those in organizational leadership, but it’s great for anyone who wants to make meaningful, long lasting changes in their life. It’s helped me improve my work as a therapist and has given me some useful tidbits to share with my clients. You can connect with Laurie Budlong-Morse, MA, LMFT at www.lauriebmorse.com

A Mind of Your Own: The Truth About Depression and How Women Can Heal Their Bodies to Reclaim Their Lives

by Kelly Brogan MD

The thesis centers around learning about our bodies and what we put in them as an alternative to medications that don’t really work long term. She looks at psychotropics, thyroid, insulin, and many other current core issues we need to pay attention to that effect our bodies and mental health. You can connect with Barbara Winter PhD CSAT-Psychologist/Psychologist at barbara@drbarbarawinter.com

Rethinking Narcissism: The Secret to Recongizing and Coping with Narcissits by Craig Malkin PhD

Craig looks at the spectrum of narcissism not just from 0-10 but from -10-+10 kind of spectrum. At the narcissism extreme is the malignant narcissist (what many of us consider the narcissist) and at the other extreme is the ‘echoist’ (someone with no self esteem who does not ask for his/her needs to be met) and in the middle is the healthy narcissism. You can connect with Barbara Winter PhD CSAT: Psychologist-Sexologist at barbara@drbarbarawinter.com

Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brene Brown

I just started the book but I’ve read other books by Brene Brown. Her ability to share her own story as a way to help others show up in life with honesty and vulnerability is a gift and I look forward to diving into this next installment! You can connect with Elizabeth Cush, LCPC; at https://www.progressioncounseling.com/

8 Keys to Recovering from an Eating Disorder: Effective Strategies from Therapeutic Practice and Personal Expereince

by Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb

I love that this book is written from the perspective of 2 therapists (one a prior client) who have both recovered from EDs. They share great firsthand experiences and provide a lot of actionable journaling and reflections that can prompt helpful insight for clients. I’ve recommended for a few clients lately, and they’ve found it powerful. It’s availablie on Audible too, if that’s your thing. 🙂 You can connect with Ivy Griffin, LMFT, Director at www.thrivetherapyandcounseling.com

The Center Cannot Hold:My Journey Through Madness by Elyn R. Saks

This is an extraordinary memoir of Saks’s lived experiences with mental illness. This book offered a unique glimpse of the visceral struggles in the lives of those living with psychosis. Through reading her memoir, one get an intimate experience, an understanding of the world of someone experiencing psychosis. This book is truly a special gem. You can connect with Christy Choy, MA, LMFT at www.healingwithchristy.com

Four Letters of Love: A Novel by Niall Williams

This is an really heartfelt book about love, acceptance and belonging. It’s gentle and reflective tone makes it a beautiful read for those who might want to connect with what’s inside them.  You can connect with Tim Hill, Psychotherapist PACFA Clinical at http://timhillpsychotherapy.com

The last lecture by Randy Pausch

This book puts into perspective what truly matters in life. You enter the world of Randy Pausch, a college professor who faces his own mortality and cannot change the inevitable, that he is going to die of terminal illness. Yet he is able to find meaning and solace in the wisdom that he will pass on to his children and a life well lived. You can connect with Dina Olave Wirick at www.drwirick.com

Lovelands: Love is a Wild and Diverse Land.  Every Soul Needs a Map by Dr. Debra Campbell

This book is thoughtful and interesting. Dr. Campbell uses the metaphor of the love lands as a map that we travel throughout live. She presents stories from her life as well as clinical examples to teach on a variety of loves. You can connect with  Ili Rivera Walter, PhD, LMFT at familytherapybasics.com

I hope you enjoyed learning about What Your Therapists are Reading and maybe even found a book that might be of interest to you.  Curious about previous years, feel free to check them out.  Although I took a break, we had two years before that went strong.  You can see 2015 and 2016.  I already can’t wait for March’s edition of What Your Therapists are Readng!

Happy Reading,

Jessica Fowler, LCSW

*This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only.  It is not an endorsement of those that contribute to the article or the books.

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