If you have ever had a session with me or looked through any of my past blogs, you may have discovered this: I love to read. I didn’t use to, but in recent years I have made it a huge priority to always have a book in my hand. Over time this has morphed into a weird schedule of reading three books at the same time (one fiction, one non-fiction, and one book related to psychology or therapy) depending on how my mood is at the time. This has worked out great and has been the system that has stuck with me and helped me grow into a more avid reader.

During my years of schooling and during my professional development, I have stumbled across a few texts that I feel stand out among the rest. These books are especially notable because I reference them pretty much daily in my practice. So, I have below my top five books I would recommend to my clients, friends, neighbors, what have you. Enjoy!

Honorable Mention: Redefining Anxiety by John Delony

I had to mention this one in some capacity, especially since I dedicated an entire blog to this book. So, if you want to know more, please go read that! If you want the short and sweet version, this is a very small, quick read that is not even 100 pages. But the amount of gold within these pages is life changing. Dr. Delony offers a new perspective of how to think about anxiety, with tons of advice on both short- and long-term goals to help develop a new relationship with our anxious thoughts. A mixture of both actionable and philosophical makes this a great read that will bring about fresh new eyes on the view of mental illness.

5. Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Is this slightly obvious that this would be here? Yes. Is it completely deserving of the spot? Even more yes. Man’s Search for Meaning is a staple of counseling, one that almost all undergrads must work their way through at one point or another. Viktor Frankl takes us on a journey of his time in an internment camp during World War II, and how the experience brought about his foundation of the meaning of life. A heavy focus on existentialism, nihilism, and philosophy all culminating in his own creation of logotherapy, Man’s Search for Meaning has earned its spot as a staple for not only the aspiring clinician, but the average reader as well.

4. Trying Not to Try: The Art and Science of Spontaneity by Edward Singerland

While verging more on the likes of philosophy as opposed to therapy, there is no denying there is an incredible lesson to be gained from this deep dive into eastern ideology. Focused heavily on the idea of Wu-Wei (pronounced ooh-way, translated as inaction, non-doing, or effortless action) Trying Not to Try goes into the science and exploration of this ancient Daoist concept. By doing so, it provides great teaching on how we can become more energetic, natural, and effective in our everyday lives by working with rather than against the flow of life. I believe it is best summed up in a brilliant Bruce Lee saying: “Empty your mind. Be Formless. Shapeless. Like Water. Water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”

3. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk

This one is a recent addition from the reading list, and I am so disappointed in myself for not reading it sooner. This book is highly regarded and appraised in the therapeutic community, and it is no wonder why. The pages contain so many brilliant insights, stories, and incredible descriptions of neurobiology that will keep you thoroughly engaged with whatever van der Kolk chooses to venture into. Demonstrating the lengths to just how much trauma can not only affect our neurochemistry, but our overall physiology as well, The Body Keeps the Score shows us how although your mind may forget, your body holds on to the pain of the past.

2. Own Your Past Change Your Future: A Not-So-Complicated Approach to Relationships, Mental Health & Wellness by John Delony

I cannot even begin to explain how much I love this book. In my opinion, this is the pinnacle of combining both narrative and cognitive behavioral therapy. By the same author of Redefining Anxiety, Own Your Past, Change Your Future takes an even deeper dive into how to uncover and accept the burdens of your past and (even more importantly) what to do with it so you can march powerfully into the future. It is a great starting point for direction on where to go in life, your relationships, your therapeutic work, and so much more. Easy to read and understand, Dr. Delony drives a powerful narrative on the stories we tell ourselves each day and how to put a period at the end of the sentence and start writing something new.

1. Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud

I always joke with my clients that if the Bible didn’t exist, this would be the most important book on the planet. In my opinion, this book is imperative to read if you wish to have peace and true love in your relationships, whether they be romantic, familial, professional, or any other word you can conjure up. Boundaries dives into not only how and when to say yes to people but walks you through the steps on how to give yourself the ability and knowledge of when to say no to people. It paints a beautiful picture of how we are responsible to each other, but not for each other. No matter who you are or what you are working through, whether you have trauma or peace, addictions or attachments, isolation or community, Boundaries is a must read for all.

Thank you for taking the time to read through some of my reading journey thus far. I hope all or at least some of these titles inspire you to take a step towards healing. These books have been indispensable in my own self-growth and therapeutic work, and it is my wish that they will do the same for you in your own journey.