Often a client will ask me are there any books I should read? There are all sorts of books on counseling, psychotherapy, and self-help books. Here are five books I recommend to clients when they ask (and sometimes don't ask) for something to read outside of their counseling sessions:
1. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl – I recently re-read this book. Each time I read this book I am inspired and energized. Viktor Frankl was a Jewish psychiatrist who lived in Vienna prior to the World War II. When the Nazi’s invaded Austria the Frankl was forced into a concentration camp like as were most of the Jews in Europe. The book does not necessarily chronicle his experiences living in the concentration camp but is more about how he survived the brutal physical and mental conditions of the concentration camps. Frankl's book helps individuals consider their own situation and how they might approach it differently.
2. Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman - Drawing from neuroscience and behavioral research, "Emotional Intelligence" how qualities like self-awareness, self-discipline, and empathy often trumps a high IQ. Emotional intelligence can be developed, nurtured, and strengthened at any time in our life with immediate benefits for our health, relationships, and career.
3. EMDR by Francine Shapiro and Margot Forrest - I use Eye Movement Desensitiization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in my practice. This book is a great introduction to this cutting-edge therapy. EMDR has shown to be effective in treating anxiety, stress, and trauma. If a client is interested in learning more about EMDR I recommend this book because it is written in terms a lay-person can understand.
4. Full-Catastrophe Living by Jon-Kabat Zinn - Jon-Kabat-Zinn introduced the Buddhist practice of mindfullness to the US in this book and through his clinic at the University of Massachusetts in Worcester. His therapy Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction is effective in helping individuals manage stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. I integrate mindfulness based therapies in my practice and I encourage my clients to read this book to learn more about and to practice mindfulness meditation and other mindfulness practices.
5. Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach - In short this is book is about a clear and practical way for clients to develop self-awareness while also developing compassion for one's self and others. The book discusses how critical self-judgments, conflicted relationships, isolation, perfectionism, and addictions help to keep us stuck; but more importantly how to get unstuck using principals of Buddhist Psychology. Tara Brach's style of writing is clear, understandable but also warm and caring.