“The War for Kindness: Building Empathy In A Fractured World” by Jamil Zaki
This book weaves science and stories together, examining why we struggle to understand people who aren’t like us, but find…
Books – Healing & Growth
“Resilient Grieving,” by Lucy Hone, Ph.D.
Hone is an expert in the field of resilience and psychological well-being, who had the opportunity to test the helpfulness…
“The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma” by Bessel Van der Kolk, M.D.
Trauma is a fact of life. Most lives are touched by trauma to some degree. This book explores the ways…
“The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom” by Jonathan Haidt
Jonathan Haidt is a brilliant and engaging Social Psychologist who combines ancient wisdom with scientific research to study how the…
“The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science” by Norman Doidge, M.D.
Scientists once thought the fully-developed adult brain was unchangeable. This has not turned out to be the case. The science…
“Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself” by Kristin Neff, Ph.D.
The mental health community got it wrong when we embraced the importance of self-esteem, and we are rapidly walking it…
“You Are Not Your Pain: Using Mindfulness to Relieve Pain, Reduce Stress, and Restore Well- Being” by Vidyamala Burch and Danny Penman
This book is written by two experts in the Mindfulness field who themselves have struggled with severe pain after sustaining…
“Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life” by Susan David, Ph.D.
The path to wellbeing is not to sweep things under the rug, deny our feelings or act tough and impervious.…
“The Deepest Well: Healing the Long-Term Effects of Childhood Adversity” by Nadine Burke Harris, M.D.
In 1998, a landmark study was published, identifying 10 “adverse childhood experiences” (ACE’s) that negatively affect both brain and biological…
“The Compassionate Mind,” by Paul Gilbert
Summary: Our minds have developed in a way that makes them highly sensitive to perceived threats. This fast-acting system can…
“Braving the Wilderness” by Brene Brown, Ph.D.
Summary: If you would like to live your life in a more reflective way, there is no better author than…
“Prisoners of Our Thoughts” by Alex Pattakos, Ph.D. and Elaine Dundon
Summary: Drawing on the work of Viktor Frankl, renowned psychiatrist and holocaust survivor, psychologists Pattakos and Dundon outline 7 core…
“How To Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen” by David Brooks
Summary: I do not make New Year’s Resolutions. They too often rely on impulsive wishes, and result in feeling inadequate…
“Truth and Repair” by Judith Lewis Herman, M.D.
Summary: Psychiatrist Judith Herman is one of the most respected voices in the area of trauma – especially sexual violence. …
“The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World” by His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, with Douglas Abrams
Summary: If you only read one book this year, this is the book I would recommend. It is one of…
“The Book of Forgiving: The Fourfold Path for Healing Ourselves and Our World,” by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu
Summary: A frequent topic in my therapy sessions is forgiveness: Should we forgive another? How do we do that in…
“Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World,” by Vivek H Murthy, M.D. (Surgeon General of the United States)
Summary: Even when surrounded by people, and bombarded by endless stimulation, humans can often still feel lonely. The hidden impact…
“The Mayo Clinic Handbook for Happiness: a 4-step plan for resilient living” by Amit Sood, M.D.
Summary: Dr. Sood is a specialist in stress and resiliency who has spent decades studying the factors that help people…