Select Books on Therapy

Danielle Bertini, LPC

A Shining Affliction: A Story of Harm and Healing in Psychotherapy - Annie Rogers

 “I have always felt that one of the most important parts of therapy, if not the most important part, is the relationship between client and therapist. Annie Rogers, a psychotherapist, tells the story about how her work with a severely disturbed five-year-old boy begins to parallel her own past trauma. The work they do together ultimately heals them both. Annie's story really highlights the power that the therapeutic relationship holds in terms of healing.”

Steven Topper, LCPC

East of Eden - John Steinbeck

“There are innumerable reasons to love this book. I read it in my 20's and then returned to it when turning 30, and it impacted me profoundly both times. Steinbeck communicates a deep wisdom for how to treat others, the possibility that hope gives, and the responsibility all of us have for what we bring into this world. It's beautifully written and touches the heart of what it means to be human.”

Jeannie Peters, MFT 

Harry Potter Series – J.K. Rowling

“As silly as it sounds, the Harry Potter series has been greatly influential in my life. As a kid, my family would read the books together before bedtime. The later books came out as I got older and they continued to be a source of comfort for me. The series became a form of self-care and to this day, if I have a lot on my mind, listening to the books on audible or reading them feels mindless and a nice escape from any stress or anxiety.”

Bridgette Gottwald, LPC, NCC

Neuro-Psychodrama in the Treatment of Relational Trauma – Tian Dayton

"Although I love many mental health and wellness related therapy books, one that comes to mind is something that I read during graduate school as a part of my "Psychodrama" class. It's called Neuro-Psychodrama in the Treatment of Relational Trauma, by Tian Dayton, PhD, TEP. 

This is a step out of my comfort zone, as I practice cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and eclectic therapy. However, it is still applicable as I treat many trauma victims. CBT revolves around the notion that our behaviors are influenced by our thoughts and eclectic therapy is taking the approach that works best for the client. Although, I am not a certified psychodramatist, this book added value to my practice in many different ways. It shares that amidst therapy, sometimes words are not enough, and we have to integrate the body in order to rid ourselves of trauma that is trapped within us. Sometimes we have to get moving and active in order to reach the deep recesses of the mind that are affected by trauma. Psychodrama moves beyond cognition and into disturbed inner states that drive dysfunctional behavior. This allows individuals to have greater control in moments where they feel triggered, so that they do not engage in acting-out or dysfunctional behaviors. Check out the book to learn more about how to let the body lead, repair broken connections, deal with buried pain and understand the dynamics of the social brain." 

Robin Saffir, LPC

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck – Mark Manson

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck is an easy read that shifts perspective out of “shoulds” and into options, autonomy, and empowerment. Often times self-work can feel hard and heavy. There is a place for that deep work in therapy, but in the day-to-day framework of self-inflicted pressure, this book proves a source of guidance: you have got to choose when and where to give a fuck.  I love this book because it is an uncomplicated anti-self-help book. It makes space for things to not have to be so heavy and complicated. Identify what you give a fuck about, choose what is worth giving a fuck about, and give yourself permission to live your fucking life.

Liza Daroff, LSW

This City is Killing Me: Community Trauma and Toxic Stress in Urban America – Jonathan Foiles 

I was assigned to read This City is Killing Me at the beginning of my second-year internship in graduate school at Mount Sinai in their adult outpatient mental health center. The author, Jonathan Foiles was my supervisor at the time and had just published the book a couple months prior. We were assigned to read a chapter at a time and then would discuss it as a group of interns all going through their social work graduate school program.

This City Is Killing Me is an eye-opening book that explores the community trauma that takes place all around us every day, while so many of us are unaware due to not being exposed to this in their own lives. The book goes through different case studies of patients Jonathan worked with during his time at Sinai and it is incredible to see the resilience and strength of these patients. The book is a great conversation starter on the injustices that take place in this city and how so little resources there are for the people who need them the most. As a graduate student reading this book, this only made me more passionate about wanting to be in the field of social work and work hard to help those that are not able to help themselves.