A Shining Affliction by Annie Rogers
I read this autobiographical book during my early graduate school years, and it offered me a beautiful example of what therapy can be, along with another example of how psychotherapy can be harmful. Powerful and moving.

Constructing the Self, Constructing America by Philip Cushman
My background in history is minimal, unfortunately, but this book opened my eyes to the history of psychotherapy and the importance of considering what it means for us today. As psychologists, I think we owe it to clients to know the roots of theories and treatments, so that we can be critical, thoughtful providers. A philosophical and challenging book.

Trauma and Recovery by Judith Lewis Herman
A book that sparked my interest in trauma. Herman is a giant in the field of trauma, and although disturbing, this book was another eye-opening, amazingly well-researched volume that keeps its focus on survivors.

Women, Race, and Class by Angela Davis
Another graduate school textbook, but one I will never forget. Davis’s analysis of women in slavery is gripping, and her writing is clear and convincing. Her call to recognize the burdens, roles, and strengths of black women is so important.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
As a white woman, I can’t imagine what it is to walk in Coates’ shoes, but he led me through the complex struggles of his life as a black man and parent in compelling prose.

The Truth about Children and Divorce: Dealing with Emotions so You and Your Children Can Thrive, by Robert E. Emery, Ph.D
This book offers parents a road map to divorce. This book illustrates how our powerful emotions and the way we handle them shape how we divorce and how we can build resiliency in children. I recommend this book because it is helpful for both adults and children going through divorce.

Putting Children First: Proven Parenting Strategies for Helping Children Thrive through Divorce by Robert Emery
This book helps parents gain a deeper understanding of what their children are experiencing and not only learn how to reduce conflict with the other parent but also learn effective parenting strategies. I recommend this book because it can provide another perspective to parents for what their children are going through. They can learn how to help themselves and their child(ren) through divorce.

Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide for Changing Families by Laurene Kransy Brown and Marc Brown
This book helps explain divorce in a friendly and easy to understand manner for children aged 4-7. This book helps children understand the following: divorce words and what they mean, why parents divorce, what about you?, after divorce, living with one parent, visitation, having two homes, celebrating holidays, telling friends, meeting new people, living with stepparents and having step-sibilings.

I don’t want to talk about it by Jeanie Franz Ransom
This storybook explores the range of emotions that children are likely to feel when the subject of divorce is first brought up for children aged 4-8.

My Mom and Dad don’t live together anymore: A drawing book for children of separated or divorced parents by Judith Rubin
This drawing book allows kids to express their feelings through art for children aged 4-8. I recommend this book because it allows children to express themselves through art. Children may not be able to communicate verbally and may feel more comfortable expressing themselves through another avenue. Parents can then gain a deeper understanding about how their child may be feeling.

The Power of Positive Thinking by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale
This book allows for clients to feel a sense of fulfillment and energized in their lives. I recommend this book because it helps clients learn how to believe in themselves and be kind to themselves. This book helps clients feel a sense of control over their life, develop the power to reach their goals, and eliminate worry.

A Year of Positive Thinking: Daily Inspiration, Wisdom, and Courage by Cyndie Spiegel
This book demonstrates how one can their life by changing their thoughts. I recommend this book because it teaches clients the power of positive thinking through quick affirmations. This book provides daily meditations to guide clients towards living their best life.

Practicing Mindfulness: 75 Essential Meditations to Reduce Stress, Improve Mental Health and Find Peace in the Everyday by Matthew Sockolov
This book explains mindfulness more in depth and provides mindfulness exercises. I recommend this book because it helps clients feel grounded and improve overall mental health.

Get out of your mind and into your life by Steven Hayes
This book can be used as a self-help book that is based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This book can help clients choose to live their best life based on what matters to them most. I recommend this book because it allows clients to discover what they value, learn how to commit to a meaningful life, and practice mindfulness skills.

A meditation to help you improve self-confidence and reach peak performance by Belleruth Naparstek
This audiobook helps clients increase feelings of self-esteem and confidence as well as reduce anxiety. I recommend this book for clients who suffer from low self-esteem and confidence. This is also helpful for clients who prefer audio.

The Anxiety and Phobia workbook by Edmund Bourne
This is a helpful workbook for those experiencing anxiety and/or phobia related anxiety. I recommend this workbook because it provides step-by-step treatment and allows clients to be active in their own treatment process and feel a sense of control. This book also provides various coping techniques and strategies.

  - Couples Books
Passionate Marriage, David Schnarch
I think this is maybe the most brilliant couple’s book ever written. However, it is VERY long and very dense. It focuses on intimacy and passion in marriage - but deals with so much more. Really explores the role of differentiation and “holding onto ourselves” as a key part of relationships and healthy marriage and sexuality. Delves deep into client examples with explicit sex images- so consider this too when considering reading it.

Mating in Captivity - Esther Perel
The book blows the top off of the common myth that intimacy/closeness = passion/desire/good sex and explores how closeness and intimacy can actually hinder sexual desire. Very normalizing for couples who love each other but are struggling with sex/passion/desire. Helpful for people who have had affairs/been cheated on. Also delves into the concept of differentiation and how maintaining separateness in relationship and can encourage desire. Also touches a bit on open relationships in a positive way (so maybe not for everyone).

8 Dates - John & Julie Gottman
Very easy read that provides a guide to 8 dates to deepen/reignite relationships. Great tool to use in tandem with therapy. Great for new couples working to build solid foundations and established couples who need to repair foundation.

7 Principles for making marriage work - John Gottman
An easy ready for couples that covers some of Gottman’s biggest takeaways, including the 4 Horsemen that lead to ending marriages. Works well in tandem with therapy.

The Five Love Languages - Gary Chapman
Very easy read/good book for couples who need to improve their expression and receiving of love from their partners - helps tailor their approach.

  - Life Changing Books
Some of my favorite "life changing" books that address spirituality, mindfulness, and acceptance of dealing with hard times.
   The Power of Now, Eckart Tolle
   A New Earth, Eckhart Tolle
   Seat of the Soul, Gary Zukav
   The Untethered Soul, Michael Singer
   Broken Open, Elizabeth Lesser
   When Things Fall Apart, Pema Chodron

Psychological Disorders
I decided to become a psychologist kind-of on a whim. I had a friend in middle school who wanted to be a psychologist, and she was very kind and smart, so that seemed like a good career choice. Yes, I’m serious; that was it. During high school and college, I read a number of books that solidified my fascination in people, human nature, and resilience. I don’t really think I knew what a psychologist was or did, but I declared myself a psychology major when I was an undergraduate without a second thought.

I went through a period of time when I read every book that I could find on Multiple Personality Disorder, which is now called Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). What I know now is that these books demonstrated the disruptive power of trauma on the psyche, even if I didn’t fully recognize that then. I later also discovered personality disorders, which shaped my development as a Forensic Psychologist.

My top portrayals of mental illness – several of these were also made into movies:

Women’s Issues
As an undergraduate at the University of Washington in Seattle, it was the 90’s; the grunge scene was in full swing, and, it was a time of “enlightenment”. We had one of the first step groups formed by an African American fraternity and sorority in that area (yes, one of each for the campus). Ellen DeGeneres came out on her television show, which we all sat around in the dorm and watched in celebration. And, I became a Women’s Studies minor. Here are a number of books that influenced me then and over time.

Relationships 
Even though I know you all know it’s not true, mental health professionals often feel like we have to have impervious relationships. Some of these are books that I’ve read for help in my own life, and, some are books I highly recommend to clients (or both).

Parenting
Parenting….is…..hard……need I say more?

Stress/Mindfulness/Transformation

Leadership and Career

Divorce or Considering Divorce