A Reading List for Personal Growth, Relationships, Parenting, Neurodiversity, and more!

As a therapist, I often get asked for book recommendations. Over the years, I’ve gathered a list of favorites, many of which clients have shared with me. These books cover personal growth, mental health, parenting, and relationships.

I’m not necessarily endorsing everything in them, but they are popular choices that have come up often in therapy sessions. Whether you’re looking to understand yourself better or improve your relationships, there’s something here for everyone. Here’s a list of books I’ve read or that clients have recommended to me:

Personal Growth and Emotional Well-Being

• Brené Brown’s Works Daring Greatly, The Gifts of Imperfection, and Atlas of the Heart dive deep into topics like vulnerability, shame, courage, and empathy. These books are great if you’re looking to better understand yourself and build more meaningful connections.

  
  

• Self-Compassion by Dr. Kristin Neff This one is all about being kinder to yourself. Dr. Neff’s research offers practical ways to build self-compassion and bounce back from life’s challenges.

  
  

• Atomic Habits by James Clear If you want to build better habits or break bad ones, this book gives you simple strategies to make lasting changes in your life.

  
  

• Unbound by Tarana Burke The founder of the #MeToo movement shares her personal story of healing and strength. It’s a moving and empowering read.

  
  

• Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb A funny and heartfelt memoir that takes a peek behind the curtain of therapy, showing both the therapist’s and client’s perspectives.

Relationships and Marriage

• The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work & Eight Dates by Drs. John and Julie Gottman These books provide solid tools for improving communication and strengthening your relationship. The Gottmans’ research-backed advice is incredibly helpful for couples.

  
  

• Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy This one offers a fresh take on parenting, focusing on your child’s emotional well-being and how to build a stronger connection with them.

  
  

• The Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

  Practical strategies to help your kids develop emotional regulation, using brain science to guide your approach.

  
  

• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish A classic! This book offers simple, effective communication strategies for connecting with your kids.

  
  

• Untangled by Lisa Damour, Ph.D. A helpful guide for parents of teenage daughters, this one covers how to navigate the challenging teen years.

  
  

• The Explosive Child by Dr. Ross W. Greene If you’re dealing with challenging behaviors, this book takes a compassionate approach, encouraging collaboration and problem-solving.

  
  

Neurodiversity

• Uniquely Human by Dr. Barry M. Prizant Shifting the focus from deficits to strengths, this book provides a new perspective on autism.

  
  

• The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida Written by a 13-year-old boy with autism, this book gives an insightful glimpse into his world and helps build empathy for those on the spectrum.

  
  

• NeuroTribes by Steve Silberman An in-depth look at the history of autism and the importance of embracing neurodiversity.

• Parenting ADHD Now! by Elaine Taylor-Klaus and Diane Dempster A practical, strength-based guide to parenting children with ADHD.

  
  

• Differently Wired by Debbie Reber This one focuses on how to embrace and advocate for neurodivergent children, celebrating their differences.

  
  

Teens and Mental Health

• The Self-Driven Child by Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson This book empowers parents to help their teens take ownership of their lives and build resilience.

  
  

• Brainstorm by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel An insightful guide to understanding the adolescent brain and how to strengthen your connection with your teen.

  
  

• What Made Maddy Run by Kate Fagan A powerful exploration of mental health struggles in teens, particularly around performance and social media pressures.

  
  

• Anxiety Relief for Teens by Regine Galanti, Ph.D. A helpful workbook with practical exercises for managing anxiety and building emotional strength.

• Why We Sleep by Dr. Matthew Walker (Teen Edition Available) Sleep is so important for teens! This book explores the science behind sleep and why it’s crucial for mental and physical health.

General Mental Health and Well-Being

• Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by Dr. David D. Burns A great introduction to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques for overcoming anxiety and depression.

  
  

• Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl A timeless book about finding purpose in life, even in the hardest of circumstances.

  
  

Anxiety and Stress Management

• The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne A comprehensive guide filled with exercises to help manage anxiety.

  
  

• Untangling Anxiety by Joshua Fletcher A straightforward, easy-to-understand guide for those dealing with anxiety.

  
  

Depression

• Lost Connections by Johann Hari This book explores how societal and relational factors contribute to depression and offers a new way of thinking about healing.

  
  

• Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig A personal and hopeful look at overcoming depression, with encouragement for anyone who’s struggling.

  
  

Trauma and Recovery

• It Didn’t Start with You by Mark Wolynn A fascinating exploration of intergenerational trauma and how we can heal inherited emotional wounds.

• Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma by Peter A. Levine This book takes a somatic approach to healing trauma, focusing on the body’s role in recovery.

  
  

Mindfulness and Emotional Regulation

• The Mindful Way Workbook by Teasdale, Williams, and Segal A hands-on workbook for learning mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT).

  
  

• Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach Offers tools for developing self-compassion and accepting life’s challenges.

  
  

• Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn A classic on mindfulness meditation and how it can help bring peace to your life.

  
  

Grief and Loss

• Healing After Loss by Martha Whitmore Hickman Daily meditations for those dealing with grief.

  
  

• Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant This book focuses on how to build resilience after loss or trauma.

  
  

Each of these books offers a different lens on personal growth, relationships, and mental health. While I don’t endorse everything in these works, they’ve all been recommended or well-received in therapy settings.

Have any of these books caught your eye?