Recommended Materials
Any book or product listed is something I have personally read or used and found to be effective with previous clients. There are many other wonderful resources out there and I am always happy to recommend more!
Attachment Styles, Dating
Easy to read, but backed by solid research; this is my most-recommended resource! This book has accurate information on the different attachment styles and quizzes to identify your attachment style to optimize communication and compatibility.
Trauma, Mind-Body
Bessel van der Kolk's groundbreaking book on how emotions are stored physically in the body and it's long-term implications is a more in-depth read for anyone curious about this topic.
*Trigger warning: Traumatic accounts
Self-Esteem, Self-Acceptance
Brene Brown has become a household name with her work on vulnerability, shame, and acceptance. I recommend her first book as a great place to start as she addresses the narratives we have built up around our own self-worth and value.
Seasonal Depression
A light therapy lamp is one of the most effective tools to help regulate our circadian rhythms during the darker winter months. Any light therapy lamp will work as long as it is at least 10,000 lux
Equine Interactions
Linda Kohanov was one of the first providers to begin utilizing this service through her own experiences working with horses. This is not a 'how to' manual, but just a great read for those interested in pursuing EAP as a career or anyone who has experienced a connection with horses.
Emotional Regulation and Awareness
If I've mentioned "we can only physiologically experience an emotion for 90 seconds" - this is the work I am referencing. This is a great book to gain insight around how we avoid difficult emotions such as anger, sadness, and grief.
Self-Awareness
Written by a psychotherapist, this is a great book that will force you to confront the negative beliefs or 'lies' we feed ourselves subconsciously and then act upon.
Mind-Body, Trauma
This is a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about the mind-body connection and how to regulate our nervous system. This book is equipped with information and helpful diagrams on specific stretches and massage points.
Trauma, EMDR
Francine Shapiro, the founder of EMDR, wrote this as a more-accessible tool for those interested in furthering their understanding of the concepts behind this therapy approach.
Depression
This book examines how the lack of social connection, values, hope for the future, etc. have more effect on our mental health than simply a a deficiency in neural chemistry. Back by interesting research and suggestions on how we can begin to live more meaningful lives.