Books To Read On Your Healing Journey Pt.1

Are you looking for a book to read in between your therapy sessions? Welcome to the Books To Read On Your Healing Journey series. Every few weeks, I’ll add a new part to the series. If you’re looking for a book on a specific topic to supplement your therapy, reach out to us and let us know!

Attached by Amir Levine

Attachment style refers to the way an individual relates to other people (1). Those with an anxious attachment style can be preoccupied with their relationships. They often worry about their partner's ability to love them back and might have a strong fear of abandonment. Individuals with an avoidant attachment often equate intimacy which a loss of independence. These individuals may try and minimize closeness and end relationships when they begin to get too close. The last attachment style discussed in the book is a secure attachment style. Those with a secure attachment feel comfortable with intimacy and may approach relationships with a sense of warmness. Understanding your attachment style can help bring clarity and closure to previous relationships as well as improve the current relationships in your life. If you’re interested in getting an idea about what your attachment style may be, you can take a short quiz by the author on his website here.

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

Maybe You Should Talk to Someone is a memoir written by a therapist about her time in both therapy and practicing therapy. If you’re a mental health practitioner or considering mental health treatment, this book is not only relatable, but validating and comforting.

Codependent No More by Melody Beattie

Does someone else’s problem become your problem? Do you feel like your closest relationships are taking advantage of you? Is it hard to not take things personally? Do you find yourself making excuses for others behavior? If you relate to any of these, this might be the book for you. The book includes self-tests, exercises, and personal reflections that can help start your healing journey.

Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski

Emily Nagoski is a Doctor of Health Behavior and Human Sexuality. In Come as You Are, she discusses everyone’s unique sexuality and how this impacts women specifically. She helps women work towards removing judgment around their own sexuality and normalizing their sexual wellbeing. In a world where women’s sexuality is often misunderstood, Emily’s book serves as its own world of healing.

More Than A Body by Lexie and Lindsay Kite

More Than A Body is a book written by two sisters, Dr.’s Lexie and Lindsay Kite. The mantra’s they share are “Your body is an instrument, not an ornament” as well as “Positive body image isn’t believing your body looks good; it is knowing your body is good, regardless of how it looks.” The book discusses these mantras in depth as well as all of the systems that play a part in how we view our bodies. If you’re looking to develop body image resilience, this is a great book to start with.

Citations

1.     Levy, K. N., Ellison, W. D., Scott, L. N., & Bernecker, S. L. (2011). Attachment style. Journal of clinical psychology, 67(2), 193-203.