Books I Recommend

Below is a list of books that have helped me heal from emotional pain, relational trauma, and develop self-compassion and a more secure attachment. 

Self-Compassion and Self-Acceptance

• Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff
• Fierce Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff
• Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach
• The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
• A Mind at Home with Itself by Byron Katie & Stephen Mitchell

Healing Wounds and Secure Attachment

• Healing the Core Wound of Unworthiness by Adyashanti
• Men, Women, and Worthiness by Brené Brown
• Healing Your Attachment Wounds and The Power of Attachment by Diane Poole Heller
• Wired for Love by Stan Tatkin
• The Heart of Trauma: Healing the Embodied Brain in the Context of Relationships by Bonnie Badenoch and Stephen W. Porges
• The Neurobiology of “We" by Daniel Siegel
• Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt
• Receiving Love: Transform Your Relationship by Letting Yourself Be Loved by Harville Hendrix and Helen LaKelly Hunt
• Nonviolent Communication: a Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships by Marshall Rosenberg
• Fierce Intimacy: Standing Up to One Another with Love by Terry Real
• Why Him? Why Her?: Finding Real Love by Understanding Your Personality Type and Why We Love: The Nature and Chemistry of Romantic Love  by Helen Fisher
• Attachment Theory and Learning Love by Thais Gibson
• Monsters in Love by Resmaa Menakem
• Hold Me Tight and Love Sense by Dr. Sue Johnson 

Emotional Well-Being

• How Emotions Are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett
• Emotional Agility by Susan David
• The Power of Vulnerability (Audiobook) by Brené Brown
• The Upward Spiral: Using Neuroscience to Reverse the Course of Depression, One Small Change at a Time by Alex Korb

Boundaries

• Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
• Unf*ck Your Boundaries: Build Better Relationships Through Consent, Communication, and Expressing Your Needs by Faith Harper

Trauma and Nervous System Regulation

• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, MD
• Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine and Ann Frederick
• Healing Trauma by Peter Levine
• Sexual Healing by Peter Levine
• The Trauma of Everyday Life by Mark Epstein
• Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself (Revised and Updated) by Melody Beattie
• Polyvagal Exercises for Safety and Connection by Deb Dana
• Befriending Your Nervous System by Deb Dana
• Anchored by Deb Dana and Stephen Porges

Parts Work and Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy

• Greater Than the Sum of Our Parts by Richard Schwartz
• No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model by Richard Schwartz
• You Are the One You've Been Waiting For : Applying Internal Family Systems to Intimate Relationships by Richard Schwartz
• Transcending Trauma: Healing Complex PTSD with Internal Family Systems by Frank G. Anderson