Resources For Therapists

Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Internal Self-Alienation by Janina Fisher

Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors- Game Changer! This book is one my favorite resources for clients or therapists who are looking for a complete framework for treating trauma. Fisher’s experience as a Sensorimotor Psychotherapy trainer and her decades of clinical trauma experience have culminated in this rich discussion of treating structural dissociation in traumatized clients. She addresses the complexity of the internal attachment disruption caused by early trauma and the path to repair.

Being a Brain-Wise Therapist: A Practical Guide to Interpersonal Neurobiology by Bonnie Badenoch

Badenoch’s writing is fascinating and clear. She weaves the latest neurobiology into practical applications for therapists. She describes in detail the latest research on the brain, attachment, mindfulness, and relationship in the clinical setting in a way that will enrich your understanding of effective therapeutic process.

Mindful Therapy: A Guide for Therapists and Helping Professionals by Thomas Bien, 2006

This book is an elegant and accessible explanation of mindfulness in psychotherapy. The book addresses both therapist development and therapeutic interventions. Dr. Bien outlines an approach to integrate mindfulness into your own self-care in order to be a more effective therapist. There are case examples and exercises to use with clients to help them integrate mindful practices into their lives.

Trauma and PTSD

Somatic Experiencing Website: More information and history including readings. https://traumahealing.org/

Trauma through a Child’s Eyes by Peter A. Levine and Maggie Kline.

A book for parents, teachers, counselors, and others that outlines the causes and effects of trauma in childhood. This resource discusses learning implications  for students, ways to work with children to help them reset an unregulated nervous system, and helpful ideas to help regulate your nervous system when you are working with traumatized kids.

The Trauma Spectrum: Hidden Wounds and Human Resiliency , 2005

by Robert Scaer. A neurologists view of the effects of trauma.  Scaer describes how treatment of the trauma can prevent or support our healing from various trauma and stress-driven illnesses. Because of our inadequate understanding of the relationship of mind and body in processing these traumas, many of us suffer needlessly from our exposure to life’s traumas. Robert Scaer offers hope to those who wish to transform trauma and better understand their lives.

Attachment and Relationship Support

Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by Sue Johnson.

Clinical psychologist Sue Johnson here opens up her patented couples-therapy program, explaining the science behind the feelings that are frightening and overwhelming to couples seeking love, support, and companionship. She helps readers understand the needs of each person in a relationship and how to realize how your patterns are hurting your closeness.

Wired for Love: How Understanding Your Partner’s Brain and Attachment Style Can Help You Defuse Conflict and Build a Secure Relationship by Stan Tatkin

The title pretty much says it all here. This book is easy to read. It helps us understand our own attachment style and that of our partner in order to know how to support safe attaching and reduce the need to fight.