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 03/07/25

Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection.

Communication is hard. It is incredibly complex to navigate the complexities of interpersonal dynamics (verbal and non-verbal) in order to get a clear message across. Journalist Charles Duhigg collated research from multiple disciplines to help clarify and/or streamline effective communication strategies to increase our capacity for successful resolutions. How can we, as therapists, integrate verbal and non-verbal communication skill-building techniques to support progress in their healing process?

 

Scheduled to release 03/14/25

Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory

Polyvagal Theory identifies how the Autonomic Nervous System is set up to protect our survival by sustaining the functioning of our internal organs and supporting automatic reactions when threatened, as well as evaluating how these functions are impacted by trauma. Deb Dana, LCSW helps break down Polyvagal Theory as the “science of safety and connection” and guides the reader to work with these functions and build resilience through increased self-awareness of how it shows up in our own bodies/experiences. How can we, as therapists, help resource our clients with increased capacity for self-regulation and distress tolerance?

 

Scheduled to release 03/21/25

Dry: A Memoir.

Augusten Burroughs describes his experiences in early recovery, sharing anecdotes exemplifying transition from extrinsic to intrinsic motivation, impact on interpersonal relationships, internal struggle with triggers and cravings, trauma, grief and loss, cross addictions, relapse, and hope and healing [trigger warning]. How can we, as therapists, help our clients navigate the complex and intense experience of early recovery (ESPECIALLY in a way that promotes safety and decreases shame)?

 

Scheduled to release on 03/28/25

From Here to the Great Unknown: A Memoir

Riley Keough completes the memoir her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, was never able to finish using interview tapes and filling in gaps from memory to round out the narrative. The story portrays trauma, grief/loss, insecure attachment, family roles, suicide, and addiction (from the perspective of the addict and the family member), and more [trigger warning]. How can we, as therapists, support our clients to heal form complex trauma as a result of individual experiences within the context of the family system?