Recommended books.

Sue Johnson. “Love Sense” Recommended for all couples. It describes the concept of attachment and provides important information about how our emotional systems work in intimate relationships. It can help you understand each other better and then react in ways that make the situation better instead of worse. This comes in an audio book read by the author if reading isn’t your thing. Her earlier book, “Hold Me Tight” is also excellent. You can find lots of free Sue Johnson material on the internet.

David Burns. “Feeling Good Together” Recommended for individuals and couples who want to learn how to communicate in ways that reduce conflict.

Dayna Lee-Baggley. “Healthy Habits Suck” Recommended for anyone who wants to break out of a bad habit or create good habits.

Emily Nagoski. “Come as You Are.” Recommended for individuals who want to better understand their sexual desire system. I have some of Emily’s videos on my Sexual Connection page if you want to check them out.

Marshall Rosenberg. “Nonviolent Communication: A language of life” Recommended for anyone who wants to change how they relate to themselves and to others. Includes a way of thinking that can dramatically reduce anger and frustration.

Janis Spring. “After the Affair” Recommended for couples who are recovering from a physical or emotional infidelity. It can help you understand your own and your partner’s reactions and gives good advice on how to help the healing process.

Bruce Fisher and Robert Alberti. “Rebuilding When Your Relationship Ends” Recommended for people who are struggling with feelings when a relationship has ended. This book is meant for people who are going or have gone through a divorce but it can also be helpful for other kinds of breakups. I like that this book has a clearly defined program of recovery and simple written exercises that encourage reflection and healing.

Judith Beck: “The Beck Diet Solution. Train Your Brain to Think Like a Thin Person” I’m not a fan of dieting. But many people I see want help with weight management. Judith Beck is a cognitive therapist and she recognizes how the brain fights us when we want to eat better. Her book includes tools to get the brain to back off a little.

David Burns. “The Feeling Good Handbook” This is the most recommended book in all of therapy. It is a thick book but don’t let that scare you. This book contains powerful strategies for changing how you feel by changing how you think. It is helpful for anxiety, depression, self-esteem, guilt, shame, and more. NOTE: David Burns has released an updated version of his book, called “Feeling Great”. You can buy it everywhere and it is also available at the HRM library.

David Burns. “When Panic Attacks” This book is similar to “The Feeling Good Handbook” but is geared towards people who have anxiety as their major concern.

Tara Brach. “Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha” This book is an engaging read and introduces the key mindfulness meditations that are useful for shifting the brain out of difficult emotions. In my view, there are many interventions that can change how you feel. Most have a small amount of power. Mindfulness meditation is one of the few that have significant power and you really don’t need to become a regular meditator to benefit.

Gregg D. Jacobs. “Say Good Night to Insomnia” Contains excellent information on how to get better sleep. Includes a 6 week program to improve sleep.

Colleen E. Carney and Rachel Manber. “Goodnight Mind” Excellent and short book that shows how to treat insomnia.

Joanna Faber. “How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen” I don’t have a lot to say on parenting as it isn’t my area of expertise, but parents I’ve spoken to recommend this book.