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 12/06/24
Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teaching of Plants
Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer exemplifies the ways that plants and animals (and humans) adapt and survive via poetic integration of native wisdom supported/validated by science and personal anecdotes. How can we utilize these important lessons and concepts to value the connections with others, as well as appreciate the power we have to support a thriving community or cause harm by disrupting the gentle balance/harmony of an interrelated ecosystem?
Scheduled to release 12/13/24
Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me
Whoopi Goldberg reflects on her experience of processing the complexities of grief and loss following the deaths of her mother and brother and how it affected her connected with her own sense of self (feeling “lost”). How can we as therapists support and affirm our clients’ unique and complex experiences related to grief and loss?
Scheduled to release 12/20/24
A Little Closer to Home: How I Found the Calm After the Storm
Ginger Zee, the ABC Chief Meteorologist, shares her story (one that involves childhood issues, anorexia, abortion, sexual assaults, depression, suicide attempts, abusive relationships, a borderline personality disorder diagnosis, and more [trigger warning when reading]) with mutual goals to portray her “truest self” via the honesty that has been key to her recovery, and help to reduce the stigma/increase accessibility for others to get help. How can we, as therapists, help our clients navigate a potential double bind of needing to be more open about their challenges when doing so may create a threat to their sense of safety?
No New review released on 12/27/24
Happy Holidays!