Reading is an activity that provides many benefits. It allows people to learn from authors who have spent a considerable amount of their lives working towards understanding the human condition, fosters abstract reasoning, and opens the mind to new ways of thinking, experiencing and living.

Books are included on this list for several reasons. Some cover material meant to improve mental health or increase our understanding of this complex topic. Others are on this list because they possess great literary value, which, after all, is based on complex observations of human motives, limitations, aspirations, dreams and realities.

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown. If you have been in psychotherapy with me, you know that I strongly emphasize the importance of relating to yourself and to others with kindness and compassion. In this book, Brené makes compelling arguments about what it means to live an authentic life by learning to live with our imperfections in a way that facilitates change and healthy living. She also offers many research based strategies on how to improve your relationship with yourself and others.

Self-Compassion  by Kristen D. Neff. This book is a great complement to Brené’s book. You may use it to deepen you knowledge of cognitive and behavioral strategies to aid with mood regulation and change. This knowledge will be equally helpful to people who have had a good working relationship with a therapist as well as to the novice. It’s a great starting point if you are looking to experience relief.

Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life by Marshall Rosenberg. This book provides a clear, and excellent, guide to learning specific communication skills likely to decrease suffering and increase intimacy. Rosenberg also focuses on the importance of acknowledging, valuing and communicating our needs to others; a skills most of us can benefit from.  Overall, learning to communicate more effectively can have a significant impact on our relationships with others at work and at home. A good resource for acquiring knowledge related to living a more fulfilling life.

Anxiety Survival Guide for Teens by Jennifer Shannon (She also has a version for grown ups). This is a short and easy to read book that does an excellent job at explaining anxiety from an evolutionary, biological, cognitive  and behavioral perspective.  However, this book doesn’t stop there. It also offers many techniques on how to reduce anxiety and allow people to move towards their chosen paths/values.

The Wisdom We’re Born With By Daniel Gottlieb. Sometimes we hurt. Gottlieb gets it and has the rare ability to foster hope without invalidating suffering. This book can be a soothing companion through difficult times. Yes, yes (and Yes!)… this is another book about compassion and finding meaning.

Feeling Good by Dr. Daniel D. Burns. This book is a classic! It does a great job teaching readers how to recognize the effect that maladaptive thinking patterns have on feelings and behaviors. However, this book was written decades ago and for today’s readers it may come across as culturally insensitive.

The Developing Mind By Daniel J. Siegel. This is an academic book. It’s fairly easy to read as concepts are well explained. Yet, I only recommend this book to those highly interested in psychology. The book is about Interpersonal Neurobiology, or the interrelations between the brain, the mind, and experiences. It discusses complex theories related to the process of healing through psychotherapy and other healthy behaviors. A must read for therapist!

The Center Cannot Hold by Elyn R. Saks. I have read many autobiographical books written by people who live with mental illness. This is one of the best! Elyn walks the reader through “my journey through madness.” She discusses the experience of having schizophrenia, her  resistance to taking medication, how she was treated at inpatient facilities, and how she found her way… This book shows the beauty, value, and uniqueness of a human being whose path confronted her with obstacles unknown to most others.