Inspiration

I'm passionate about reading and research as one way to support wellness and personal development outside of the therapy room. The following are links to books, documentaries, websites, and podcasts to expand your healing experience.

Websites

Dr. Dan Siegel — Dr. Siegel is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine. He is on the faculty of the Center for Culture, Brain, and Development and is the founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center.

Dr. Stephen Porges — Dr. Porges, a University Scientist at the Kinsey Institute, Indiana University, and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina, is the author of the Polyvagel Theory and developer of the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP) to help people reduce stress and increase awareness, self-regulation and resilience.

Dr. Brene Brown — Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past decade studying vulnerability, courage, worthiness, and shame.

Dr. David Grand — David Grand, Ph.D., LCSW is a therapist, author, and world reknown expert on brain-body based therapy for emotional trauma. He is the discover/developer of the cutting edge technique Brainspotting with over 8,000 therapists trained internationally. 

The Gottman Relationship Blog — The Gottman Institute is dedicated to combining wisdom from research and practice to support and strengthen marriages, families, and relationships.

Esther Perel — Esther Perel is a therapist, author, and speaker and a leading innovator in the field of couples therapy.

Tara Brach — Tara Brach’s teachings blend Western psychology and Eastern spiritual practices, mindful attention to our inner life, and a full, compassionate engagement with our world.

 
 

Books, Docs & podcasts

TRAUMA RECOVERY

  • Trauma and Recovery by Judith Lewis Herman
  • Brainspotting: The Revolutionary New Therapy for Rapid and Effective Change by David Grand, Ph.D.
  • 8 Keys to Brain-Body Balance by Robert Scaer and Babette Rothschild
  • 8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery by Babette Rothschild
  • Crash Course: A Self Healing Guide to Auto Accident Recovery by Diane Poole-Heller & Laurence Heller
  • The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van Der Kolk, M.D.
  • Buck: Documentary by Cindy Meehl, 2011

CREATIVITY & PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT

  • Mindsight: The New Science of Personal Transformation by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.
  • The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge, M.D.
  • The Gifts Of Imperfection / Daring Greatly / Braving the Wilderness by Brené Brown, Ph.D., LMSW.
  • The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp.
  • Creativity: The Perfect Crime by Philippe Petit.
  • This is Your Brain on Sports: Beating Blocks, Slumps and Performance Anxiety for Good by David Grand, Ph.D. & Alan Goldberg, Ph.D.
  • On Being Podcast with Krista Tippett

MEDITATION & MINDFULNESS

  • The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
  • The Miracle of Mindfulness: An Introduction to the Practice of Meditation by Thich Nhat Hanh and Vo-Dihn Mai
  • Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness and Creativity by David Lynch
  • Real Love: The Art of Mindful Connection by Sharon Salzberg

RELATIONSHIPS

  • The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman, Ph.D. & Nan Silver
  • Get Closer: A Gay Men's Guide to Intimacy and Relationships by Jeffrey N. Chernin, Ph.D.
  • Lesbian Couples: A Guide to Creating Healthy Relationships by D. Merilee Clunis, Ph.D. & G. Dorsey Green, Ph.D.
  • Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples by Harville Hendrix, Ph.D.
  • Attached: The New Science of Adult Attachment and How it Can Help you Find - and Keep- Love by Amir Levine & Rachel S. F. Heller
  • Sexual Intimacy for Women: A Guide for Same-Sex Couples by Glenda Corwin, Ph.D.
  • Where Should We Begin? Podcast by Esther Perel

PARENTING

  • Parenting From the Inside Out by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. & Mary Hartzell, M.Ed.
  • The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture your Child's Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, M.D.
  • The Yes Brain: How to Cultivate Courage, Curiosity and Resilience in Your Child by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, M.D.
  • Always My Child: A Parent’s Guide to Understanding Your Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, or Questioning Son or Daughter by Kevin Jennings
  • No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame by Janet Lansbury
  • How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
  • Nurture Shock by Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman

ADDICTION & CODEPENDENCY

  • Unbroken Brain: A Revolutionary New Way of Understanding Addiction by Maia Szalavitz
  • The Heart of Addiction: A New Approach to Understanding and Managing Alcoholism and Other Addictive Behaviors by Lance M. Dodes, M.D.
  • Facing Codependence: What It Is, Where It Comes from, How It Sabotages Our Lives by Pia Mellody
  • Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself by Melody Beattie

GRIEF & LOSS

  • The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
  • The Grief Recovery Handbook: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and other Losses by John W. James and Russell Freidman
  • Griefwalker: Documentary by Tim Wilson, 2008
  • Young at Heart: Documentary by Stephen Walker and Sally George, 2007