What Your Therapists Are Reading July 2015

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During the summer I enjoy relaxing outside with a good book.  I do not always need beach read, although those are great for self-care, I am often happy reading something that will help me in the work I do or help me grow in any way.  What types of books to you like to read?  As therapists, I think it is essential to keep reading and learning.  So pick up one of the suggestions for this month, grab a lawn chair and feel the sun on your face as you read!
grain
I have become very interested in how nutrition is related to mental health.  Grain Brain shares current science about how what we eat, including grains and sugar, can affect our brain health which can impact mental health.  David Perlmutter, MD discusses mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, ADHD and others.  You can connect with Jessica Fowler, LCSW at www.jlfcounselingservices.com
art
My best inspiration for my work (both the clinical work that I do with helping professionals and the coaching that I do with therapists who are building their practices) almost always comes from outside of the field of mental health.  I like to read about travel and the various destinations that I’m traveling to. Ran across this book and thought it might help me travel a littl Watts e more consciously . . . slow down, linger, and savor each step of my journey.  “We usually don’t look, we overlook.” ~ Alan Watts.  You can connect with Tamara Suttle M.Ed, LPC at www.allthingsprivatepractice.com
dark
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 Renne at http://www.ReneeBeckMFT.com/
 
soul
I love comparing mystical systems, and personality systems, too. I’ve been working with the Tree of Life for four decades, and with the Enneagram for two, and this is a really interesting read! Renee Beck, LMFT Dreamwork & Transpersonal Therapy for Alternative Healers, Intuitives & Artists. Clinical Consultation & Supervision. Transpersonal CEUs. Oakland, CA & Online. http://www.reneebeckmft.com/
children
 An interesting read challenging how we look how at how some kids faced with difficult situations (poverty, trauma, stress) are able overcome adversity and be academically successful while others are not. The author explores how certain skills and character traits such as self-regulation, grit and social intelligence as good predictors about how children will perform long-term in school. The book tackles a complicated issue but I enjoyed the author’s story-telling approach and the discussion of the need for perseverance in dealing with failure to be timely.  You can connect with Julie Safranski, LCSW at www.juliesafranski.com
The Gifts of Imperfection
My (non-mental health) book club chose this book and it is about time I read it! I am not finished yet and I have already learned so much. I cannot wait to talk with clients about the concepts of whole-hearted living!  You can connectg with Bethany Raab, LCSW at www.raabcounseling.com
energy
Dr. Orloff helps us tap into our intuition and recognize and use positive energy in our lives. I found her approach especially helpful in managing stress, surrounding myself with positive people, and limiting energy drains such as too much technology. You can connect with Sharon Martin, LCSW at www.SharonMartinCounseling.com
drama
Alice Miller’s The Drama of the Gifted Child is a compelling and thought-provoking book for both therapists and individuals in therapy. The book is about the child who never discovered his “true self” because he was so concerned with pleasing those around him (mainly his parents), and the repercussions of that later in life, as an adult. The book offers help by explaining the problems and consequences of growing up in this way, and suggestions for steps as to remove himself from the person he is not, and move towards finding his “true identity”. The author discusses that the role of the therapist is to help the adult rediscover the lost child. This a great book for therapist and clients to read together and discuss as part of the treatment process. You can connect with Jill Ceder at www.childcare.about.com
warrior
I started reading this book, written by the woman who writes the “Momastery” blog, after seeing her TED talk and following her blog posts for a while. In the book Glennon shares her attempts to numb her emotions beginning at age 8. She started binging and purging at that young age and moved into substance abuse during adolescence. Her stories of surviving the brutal and beautiful feelings of being alive, which she describes with the statement “life is brutiful,” are poignant, funny, sad and so relatable.  You can connect with Laura Reagan, LCSW-C, Severna Park, MD at www.laurareaganlcswc.com
child
This book is about the damage that’s often caused by having had parenting that was emotionally neglectful – and what you can do to heal it.
You can connect with Emma Cameron MA Dip., Integrative Arts Psychotherapist, Colchester UK at www.emmacameron.com
I hope everyone has found some inspiration from What Your Therapists are Reading for their reading list for July.  As always, we would love to hear your thoughts on these books so please comment below.  If you have a book you would recommend, please email me at jlfcounselingservices (at) gmail (dot) com.  Don’t forget to catch up on previous months on the blog as well.  We have been doing this all year!
Happy Reading,
Jessica Fowler, LCSW
Please note that this is for educational and informational purposes only.

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