Therapeutic Reflections

A weekly book review of clinical (and some non-clinical) book from the lens of a therapist.

In the world of self-help and/or clinical development, there are just TOO many books out there to read! How do you decide which ones are going to be worth your time? Which ones will resonate with your personal experiences? Which ones might support your healing? Which ones will help you to hone your professional specialties? Or maybe you need to expand your awareness into a new topic?

Let me help you with that!

I have a library card and am an avid reader (aka audiobook listener). I like to read the books my clients are reading and apply them as tools in our work together; I also like to recommend books to my clients to supplement our work together. I've spent the better part of my adult life reading books for coursework and to support research. And, let's face it, I'm passionate about my work as a therapist and I'm just plain curious about new, old, or emerging topics.

While I specialize in trauma, addictions, and dance/movement therapy, I find that my practice can benefit from expanding my awareness on a diversity of topics.

Need to catch up on past reviews?

 
 

Scheduled to release 10/4/24

Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls

Lisa Damour reviews the factors that may explain why our young girls are disproportionately affected by anxiety today. How can we as therapists support these young girls struggling with anxiety and the adults trying to provide a conducive environment for our young people to thrive?

 

Scheduled to release 10/11/24

Don’t Think, Dear: On Loving and Leaving Ballet

Alice Robb incorporates history and anecdotes of dancers’ personal experiences that provides a cultural context for the trajectory of dance/ballet culture. While this one may seem “off-topic”, let me confirm that it exemplifies trauma, addiction, eating disorders, predatory grooming, and then some within the microcosm of the ballet world. [Trigger warning when reading']

 

Scheduled to release 10/18/24

Unmasking Autism: Discovering the New Faces of Autism

Devon Price reviews research and firsthand anecdotes from the experiences of neurodivergent persons (especially highlighting Autism and ADHD experiences). As a therapist, it provided me with a lot more information about neurodiversity, as well as some insight about the daily experience of living in a neurotypical world. I finished the book encouraged and excited to learn more about Autism and ADHD.

 

Scheduled to release 10/25/24

Maisie Dobbs Series

This book (series) is a bit more of a “self-care” read to round out the month. While it may not be clinical in nature, it relates with a lot of clinical themes and concepts such as attunement, empathy, and mindfulness; as well as grief and loss and the cultural impact of the trauma of war.