The 7 Best Books on Trauma Therapists Recommend
Learning from top academics and clinicians who are committed to sharing the greatest knowledge about the psychological impacts of trauma and the techniques that have helped others heal is a terrific way to support your own healing from traumatic experiences outside of the therapy room. You are not by yourself! Take a look at these excellent books on trauma to begin your path to recovery from complex trauma and PTSD.
It Didn’t Start With You
Anxiety, depression, self-doubt, and difficulty establishing boundaries are all signs of generational trauma that has been transmitted via the family structure. Traumatic events produce behaviors that get embedded in different positions within the family and can create the basis for dysfunctional family dynamics that, if ignored, can persist for decades. Lesley Rickman, LMSW, and Laura Boggan, LPC-MHSP, both suggest this book to clients who are coping with family trauma.
The Body Keeps The Score
It is one of the best books on trauma. Therapists Sarah Rather, NCC, Tristan McKenzie, M.S., Lesley Rickman, LMSW, and Meredith Sachs, LPC-MHSP, recommend this book as a must-read for anybody interested in reading books on trauma and how it affects all facets of our lives. Van Der Kolk provides a comprehensive description of how our hormones and nervous system alter following traumatic situations, along with advice on how to proceed, all supported by his decades of research on the effects of PTSD on the brain and body. This is the book for you if you want to learn about the science underlying the symptoms you could be having and the most effective healing techniques.
Getting Past Your Past
Karen Wade, LMSW, suggests reading this book by the psychologist who created EMDR in the 1990s if you’ve never heard of it or want to learn more about the science underlying this ground-breaking psychotherapy. Thousands of people, including myself, have found that eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) helps them remember traumatic and upsetting pictures and situations in a way that enables the brain to process and ultimately lessen the stress and negative feelings associated with such events.
What Happened to You?
In order to heal and change attitudes regarding trauma, Vaneisha Varnado, a Clinical Mental Health intern, and two of our seasoned clinicians recommend this book by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce D. Perry. By discussing her personal experiences and the findings of a seasoned clinician, Winfrey hopes to dispel the stigma associated with traumatic events by encouraging us to inquire, “What happened to you?” rather than, “What’s wrong with you?” Examining how we unconsciously—and perhaps intentionally—talk to ourselves and others about traumatic events and the emotions that accompany them frequently results in ingrained shame that impedes healing. We have all gone through some kind of trauma, and developing empathy and self-awareness is a crucial part of the healing process.
The Mindful Self Compassion Workbook
Finding a workbook like The Mindful Self Compassion Workbook, which offers mindful exercises and questions that promote the investigation of self-compassion, self-love, and acceptance, is a fantastic approach to carry on the therapeutic process independently. Self-compassion is one of the best books about trauma that enables us to care for others while maintaining sound boundaries, pursue our goals, and handle challenging situations as they arise. This is an excellent place to start if you struggle to journal on your own but still want a means to explore your feelings and thoughts in a healthy way.
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving
Therapists like Sarah Rather, NCC, and Meredith Sachs LPC-MHSP recommend this book as a crucial tool for people dealing with complicated PTSD. Walker sheds light on the signs and difficulties of this frequently misdiagnosed illness by fusing psychiatric insights with personal experience. It is an essential manual for everyone wishing to transition from survival to thriving since he offers doable healing techniques.
Misery’s Children
In Misery’s Children, Dr. Ramirez tackles the theme of childhood trauma with precision and empathy. The story centers on the lives of children born into tragic circumstances and their struggles to rise above the horrors of human trafficking. Ramirez delivers a powerful portrayal of how trauma shapes lives and highlights the courage and hope from the unwavering fight for justice and healing.
WRAP UP!
The seven books on trauma suggested by therapists provide remarkable insights into the complicated and multidimensional nature of trauma. Each has a distinct viewpoint on understanding, processing, and healing from traumatic situations, making them invaluable resources for both survivors and experts. These publications provide readers with strategies for healing and emotional growth, ranging from an exploration of the mind-body connection to personal resilience stories.