Book Recommendations

If You Want To Go Further Right Now...

Whether you’re in therapy with me or exploring your healing journey on your own, these are some of my most trusted books and podcasts. I will update this page occasionally, and my hope is that it continues to grow with resources. Please take what’s helpful and leave what’s not. If anything you read or listen to brings up difficult emotions, reach out to a therapist or support person.  You don’t have to walk through any of this alone.

Best Anxiety Books Recommended by a Therapist

  • Don’t Believe Everything You Think — Joseph Nguyen

    Best for: Overthinking, anxiety, and rumination

    This short, thought-provoking book explores how suffering is often fueled by the stories we tell ourselves rather than by events themselves. I recommend it for people who feel trapped in anxious thought loops or constant mental chatter. While it’s insightful, it’s more philosophical than practical and doesn’t provide structured exercises.

  • The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control — Katherine Morgan Schafler

    Best for: Perfectionism, burnout, and fear of failure

    Rather than encouraging you to “stop being a perfectionist,” this book offers a fresh perspective on how perfectionism develops and how to work with it in healthier ways. I recommend it for anyone whose high standards are leading to stress or self-criticism. It’s more reflective than workbook-based.

  • Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway — Susan Jeffers

    Best for: Anxiety, confidence, and life transitions

    A classic self-help book that teaches readers to take meaningful action despite fear instead of waiting to feel completely confident. I often recommend it to people who avoid opportunities because of anxiety. Some ideas feel dated, but its core message remains timeless.

  • Maybe You Should Talk to Someone — Lori Gottlieb

    Best for: Personal growth and anyone considering therapy

    Part memoir and part behind-the-scenes look at therapy, this book offers an honest, compassionate perspective on the healing process. I recommend it to anyone curious about therapy or navigating a major life transition. While deeply relatable, it’s a memoir rather than a practical workbook.

Best ADHD Books for Adults

  •  Now It All Makes Sense

  • Your Brain’s Not Broken

  • The Anti-Planner

Best Books About Attachment Styles & Relationships

  • Attached

  • Set Boundaries, Find Peace

  • Are You Mad at Me?

  • Codependent No More

Best Trauma Recovery Book

  • Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents

  • Complex PTSD

  • What Happened to You?

  • It Didn’t Start With You

Best OCD Books Recommended by a Therapis

  • Overcoming Unwanted Intrusive Thoughts — Sally Winston & Martin Seif

  • Needing to Know for Sure — Martin Seif & Sally Winston

  • Freedom from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder — Jonathan Grayson

  • The OCD Workbook — Bruce Hyman & Cherry Pedrick

Best Books for Overthinking (Recommended by a Therapist)

  • Don’t Believe Everything You Think — Joseph Nguyen

    Best for: Overthinking, anxiety, and rumination

    This short, thought-provoking book explores how suffering is often fueled by the stories we tell ourselves rather than by events themselves. I recommend it for people who feel trapped in anxious thought loops or constant mental chatter. While it’s insightful, it’s more philosophical than practical and doesn’t provide structured exercises.

  • The Perfectionist’s Guide to Losing Control — Katherine Morgan Schafler

    Best for: Perfectionism, burnout, and fear of failure

    Rather than encouraging you to “stop being a perfectionist,” this book offers a fresh perspective on how perfectionism develops and how to work with it in healthier ways. I recommend it for anyone whose high standards are leading to stress or self-criticism. It’s more reflective than workbook-based.

  • Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway — Susan Jeffers

    Best for: Anxiety, confidence, and life transitions

    A classic self-help book that teaches readers to take meaningful action despite fear instead of waiting to feel completely confident. I often recommend it to people who avoid opportunities because of anxiety. Some ideas feel dated, but its core message remains timeless.

  • The Happiness Trap — Russ Harris

  • Self-Compassion — Kristin Neff

Best Books for Setting Boundaries

  • Set Boundaries, Find Peace — Nedra Glover Tawwab

  • Codependent No More — Melody Beattie

  • Attached — Amir Levine & Rachel Heller

  • The Book of Boundaries — Melissa Urban

  • Boundaries — Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

Best Mental Health Books for Young Adults

  • Maybe You Should Talk to Someone — Lori Gottlieb

  • Best for: Personal growth and anyone considering therapy

    Part memoir and part behind-the-scenes look at therapy, this book offers an honest, compassionate perspective on the healing process. I recommend it to anyone curious about therapy or navigating a major life transition. While deeply relatable, it’s a memoir rather than a practical workbook.

  • The Gifts of Imperfection — Brené Brown

  • Attached — Amir Levine & Rachel Heller

  • Don’t Believe Everything You Think — Joseph Nguyen

  • The Defining Decade — Meg Jay