Books recommended to me by my therapist(s)

Hey y'all! Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I wanted to share a topic that’s close to my heart: the books that have been recommended to me by my therapist over the years. Some of these books have become staples in my life, while others… well, they weren’t quite for me. But that’s what makes this journey so interesting, right?

Before we dive into the books, though, I want to share some context. I don’t see books as a replacement for therapy. I’ve been in therapy for 13 years now, and while books have been helpful tools, they’re not the same as talking to a professional. I use books to help me better articulate my needs, ask smarter questions, and understand myself more deeply in conversation with those I trust. But let me be clear, they’re not there for self-diagnosing or making huge decisions about mental health care on their own.

That said, let’s talk about the books that have stuck with me, and maybe you'll find one that resonates with you too.

1. Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab

I’ve mentioned this book before on my channel/TikTok and other pages, and I’ll probably keep mentioning it because it’s just that good. This book was a game-changer for me in terms of understanding boundaries. For most of my life, I viewed setting boundaries as putting up walls between myself and the people I loved. But with therapy, some deep conversations, and this book, I learned that boundaries actually expand relationships. They create safety and allow us to show up as our full selves.

There’s a quote I love from Prentis Hemphill: “Boundaries are the distance at which I can love me and you at the same time.” This book brings that idea to life. It’s not about pushing people away but letting them see more of who you are by being clear about your needs and limits. If you struggle with boundaries like I did, this one is worth picking up. It really helped me change the way I think about what it means to protect my peace.

2. The Highly Sensitive Person's Guide to Dealing with Toxic People by Shahida Arabi

If you identify as a highly sensitive person, this book is a great resource. It acknowledges that being sensitive is a gift, not a flaw. The world can be overwhelming, and this book helps you navigate that. It talks about how highly sensitive people can be targets for manipulation and narcissism, which really resonated with me.

That said, I did have a bit of a challenge with the book’s approach to labeling people as narcissists. I don’t think the intention was to empower people to diagnose others, but it could easily be misinterpreted that way. Still, I found a lot of helpful insights, especially about protecting your energy in tough situations.

3. Codependent No More by Melody Beattie

This one opened my eyes to what codependency actually is. Before, I had a pretty narrow view, but working through this book with my therapist helped me understand the blurred lines between supporting someone and trying to control their outcomes. It helped me detach from the agony of over-involvement, and that was a game-changer for me. If you’ve ever found yourself enmeshed in someone else’s crisis or trying too hard to “fix” things for them, this book might speak to you like it did for me.

4. Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Joseph Nguyen

This one was recommended by my therapist after I shared how often I struggled with negative self-talk. The title says it all—don’t believe every thought that pops into your head! For me, this book really hit home when it came to battling thoughts about self-worth and capability.

However, I struggled with some of the messaging around healing and suffering. While I appreciated the insights, I felt like the book took a pretty individualistic approach to healing, which doesn’t entirely resonate with me. I believe, like Prentis Hemphill says, that healing is relational. Our systems and communities need to be part of that process, not just our own inner work.

5. The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

This book has been a hot topic for years now, and for good reason. It breaks down how trauma affects both our minds and bodies in ways that are both scientific and compassionate. I appreciate how van der Kolk blends research with real empathy for the people he’s writing about.

The thing I loved most about this book was its message of hope. It reminded me that our brains have the capacity to heal, and that trauma doesn’t have to be the end of the story. If you’re someone who needs evidence and step-by-step guidance, this book will definitely give you that, along with practical tools for healing.

Final Thoughts

Therapy has introduced me to so many books, and the ones I’ve shared here are the ones that stuck. I’m curious—has your therapist ever recommended any books to you? Or have you found books that helped you along your journey? Let me know in the comments!

Thanks so much for reading, and I’ll be back soon with more to share!