Therapeutic Reflections
A weekly book review of clinical (and some non-clinical) book from the lens of a therapist.
In the world of self-help and/or clinical development, there are just TOO many books out there to read! How do you decide which ones are going to be worth your time? Which ones will resonate with your personal experiences? Which ones might support your healing? Which ones will help you to hone your professional specialties? Or maybe you need to expand your awareness into a new topic?
Let me help you with that!
I have a library card and am an avid reader (aka audiobook listener). I like to read the books my clients are reading and apply them as tools in our work together; I also like to recommend books to my clients to supplement our work together. I've spent the better part of my adult life reading books for coursework and to support research. And, let's face it, I'm passionate about my work as a therapist and I'm just plain curious about new, old, or emerging topics.
While I specialize in trauma, addiction, and dance/movement therapy, I find that my practice can benefit from expanding my awareness on a diversity of topics.
Need to catch up on past reviews?
“After a long hiatus, I have returned to read with you all once again! ”
Review to be released on 02/06/26
Untamed
Glennon Doyle exemplifies how our stories are ever-evolving as she questions everything she has ever known about how to be and who she is and learns to identify her truth by listening to herself rather than the opinions/expectations of others.
How can we, as therapists, support our clients through this fragile experience of learning to trust their own truth and challenging guidance, values, and beliefs they have carried?
Review to be released 02/13/26
All The Way to the River: Love, Loss, and Liberation
Once again, Liz Gilbert bears all and is brutally honest in sharing her story of addiction—not just drug and alcohol addiction, but the complex relationship dynamics between herself (as a self-identified love and sex addict and co-dependent) and her partner (a self-identified drug addict) —both partners bring problematic and toxic patterns into the relationship.
How can we, as therapists, support our clients in identifying the roles they are playing in unhealthy family dynamics and support their individual healing to help support the healing of the family as a whole?
Review to be released on 02/20/26
I Don’t Want to Talk About It: Overcoming the Secret Legacy of Male Depression
Jarod K. Anderson shares his story of non-linear healing and recovery from depression with the goal to offer help and support to others by way of embodying the value and need for connection and community to thrive, a value he came to embrace as he witnessed how it was reflected in the natural elements that often provided a sense of comfort to him.
How can we, as therapists, support the healing of our clients through co-regulation, meeting them where they are at, and helping to establish realistic expectations about the healing process?
Review to be released on 02/27/26
The Dark Side of the Light Chasers: Reclaiming Your Power, Creativity, Brilliance, and Dreams