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Reply to "I need a new book"

How We Heal and Grow: The Power of Facing Your Feelings by Jeffery Smith

Jeff Smith blogs at Moments of Change and I can't speak highly enough of this book (Full Disclosure: I have a blurb on the back cover and Dr. Smith has used my Erotic Transference post as a chapter in another of his books: Attachment to your Therapist: A Conversation). He writes very clearly about the therapeutic relationship and how you heal. He has other books listed on his blog and a lot of great posts. He's worth spending some time with. I gave How We Heal and Grow to my T and a rather-dog eared copy sits on his table and he refers to it often. 

Kitchen Table Wisdom by Rachel Naomi Remen 

This was recommended by my T and I found it invaluable. I came back to session with about 24 yellow stickies marking things I wanted to discuss. She's an doctor who works with patients dying of cancer and has done extensive healing of her own and this book is a reflection of all she has learned. Very accessible and full of "aha" moments. 

Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving: A GUIDE AND MAP FOR RECOVERING FROM CHILDHOOD TRAUMA by Pete Walker

Pete Walker is a therapist who has also healed from long term childhood trauma and it shows in his writing. He also has a website http://pete-walker.com/  that has a log of good information and articles.

My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist's Personal Journey by Jill Bolte Taylor

Fascinating book that examines right brain versus left brain thinking. She's a neurosurgeon from Harvard who had a stroke and shares how it felt from the inside providing some incredible insights. She did a TED talk about the book, it's also worth tracking down. 

The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self by Alice Miller

This one can be a difficult read as she really focuses on the pain caused by deprivation in childhood. I had to take this one slowly in order to absorb it. Led to at least one email to my T, but a lot of good insight. 

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Townsend and Cloud

First book I ever read on Boundaries way back when at a time when Boundaries were a totally foreign concept. One of the best explanations I've ever read. They do write from a Christian perspective but also as exprienced clinicians. I think you can still really benefit from the book even if you do not agree with the worldview. 

Dance of Anger: A Woman's Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationships

This was another one I read a long time ago, but remember learning an incredible amount from it. Especially since anger is such a problematic feeling for me. 

I'll stop now since that's probably enough to hit you with at once. Happy reading!

AG

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