RECOMMENDED READINGS
Depression
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The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris
Takeaway: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Learn how to open up and make room for difficult thoughts, feelings, sensations, urges, and memories and allow them to flow through you without getting into a battle with them.
The Feeling Good Handbook by David Burns
Takeaway: Offers powerful techniques and step by step exercises to help you cope with everyday problems.
Healing the Child Within by Charles L. Whitefield M.D.
Takeaway: Getting in touch with and living aligned with our True Self is central to personal growth.
Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life by Martin E.P. Seigman Ph.D.
Takeaway: An optimistic attitude, according to Martin, is a key factor in overcoming depression.
The Road Less Travelled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values, and Spiritual Growth by M. Scott Peck M.D.
Takeaway: Avoiding our problems causes pain and suffering.
Anxiety
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The Anxiety and Worry Workbook: The Cognitive Behaviour Solution by David A. Clark Ph.D. and Aaron T. Beck M.D.
Takeaway: Learn how to challenge thoughts and get the courage to take small steps to face situations you fear.
Anxiety Toolkit by Alice Boyes PhD
Takeaway: Practice self compassion. Be kind to yourself.
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook by Edmond J. Bourne, Ph.D.
Takeaway: Learn how to use breathing, food, exercise, meditation, and positive self- talk to ease your fears.
PTSD/ PTSI (Post Traumatic Stress Injury)
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When Bad Things Happen to Good People by Harold S. Kushner
Takeaway: Forgiveness is a favour we do for ourselves, not a favour we do for the other party.
The Body Keeps Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel Van der Kolk M.D.
Takeaway: Exposes the power of relationships to both hurt and to heal; it offers new hope for reclaiming lives.
Life Sentence: A Police Officers Battle with PTSD by Simon Gillard
Takeaway: A memoir inspired by the need to raise awareness of PTSD and to help other sufferers.
Loving Someone with PTSD by Aphrodite T. Matsakis, Ph.D.
Takeaway: A guide to understanding and connecting with your partner after trauma.
Self Growth/Inspirational
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Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Takeaway: It is a lucid and enlightening summary of Nobel laureate Kahneman’s life’s work. It will change the way you think about thinking.
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene’ Brown
Takeaway: Explores how to cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to embrace your imperfections and to recognise you are enough.
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Takeaway: Powerful wisdom told through a story. The choice of words is impeccable with a beautiful flow. A beautiful and accessible book full of wisdom and philosophy.
Hardwiring Happiness by Rick Hanson Ph.D.
Takeaway: Lays out a simple method that uses hidden power of everyday experiences to build new neural structures full of happiness, love, confidence and peace.
The Untethered Soul: The Journey Beyond by Michael A. Singer
Takeaway: To attain true inner freedom, you must be able to objectively watch your problems instead of being lost in them.
A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
Takeaway: It shows how people can let go of the ideas of entitlement and move beyond themselves to live a happier and healthier life.
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz
Takeaway: Offers a code of conduct based on ancient Toltec wisdom that advocates freedom from self- limiting beliefs that may cause suffering and limitation in a person’s life.