Recommended Resources for Anxiety, Relationships, and Emotional Health
Books and tools to support meaningful, lasting change
There’s no shortage of self-help content out there—but not all of it is grounded, useful, or aligned with how lasting change actually happens.
This is a curated collection of books and resources I often recommend to clients. Some are practical and skills-based, others are more reflective. All are selected with an emphasis on nuance, evidence, and real-world application.
Start Here.
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The Happiness Trap – Russ Harris
🛠️ Practical · 🧠 Science-Based
An accessible introduction to ACT, helping you relate differently to thoughts and emotions.
Best for: anxiety and overthinking -
8 Keys to Safe Trauma Recovery – Babette Rothschild
🛠️ Practical · 🌿 Gentle
A grounded, skills-based guide to trauma recovery that emphasizes safety and pacing.
Best for: building stability -
Self-Compassion – Kristin Neff
🌿 Gentle
A foundational guide to developing a kinder, more supportive relationship with yourself.
Best for: reducing self-criticism -
Man’s Search for Meaning – Viktor Frankl
🧭 Philosophical · 🔥 Deeper Work
A powerful exploration of meaning, suffering, and resilience.
Best for: perspective and purpose -
Atomic Habits – James Clear
🛠️ Practical
A clear, actionable approach to building sustainable habits through small changes.
Best for: follow-through, healthy mindset -
The Mental Compulsions Workbook for OCD – Lauren Rosen
🛠️ Practical · 🔥 Deeper Work · 🧠 Science-Based
A targeted workbook addressing mental compulsions, offering structured CBT and mindfulness tools.
Best for: intrusive thoughts and rumination -
Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents – Lindsay Gibson
🔍 Insight-Oriented · 🌿 Gentle
A clear and validating framework for understanding emotionally immature family dynamics.
Best for: insight into family patterns -
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work – John Gottman & Nan Silver
🛠️ Practical · 🧠 Science-Based
Research-based strategies for improving communication and managing conflict.
Best for: couples and relationship skills -
Overcoming Trauma and PTSD – Sheela Raja
🛠️ Practical · 🧠 Science-Based
A CBT-informed guide with practical tools for managing trauma symptoms and building resilience.
Best for: psychoeducation and coping skills -
Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life – Steven Hayes
🛠️ Practical · 🔥 Deeper Work · 🧠 Science-Based
A structured ACT workbook with exercises to build psychological flexibility.
Best for: hands-on skill work -
It’s Okay That You’re Not Okay – Megan Devine
🌿 Gentle · 🔍 Insight-Oriented
A validating and grounded perspective on grief that resists the pressure to “move on” too quickly.
Best for: navigating loss -
Mindfulness for Beginners – Jon Kabat-Zinn
🛠️ Practical · 🌿 Gentle · 🧠 Science-Based
A simple, accessible introduction to mindfulness rooted in evidence-based stress reduction.
Best for: getting started with mindfulness -
How to Not Die Alone – Logan Ury
🔍 Insight-Oriented · 🛠️ Practical
A research-informed look at dating patterns and relationship decision-making.
Best for: dating and patterns -
Radical Acceptance – Tara Brach
🌿 Gentle · 🧭 Philosophical
Blends mindfulness and psychology to support acceptance of difficult emotions.
Best for: emotional acceptance -
Why We Sleep – Matthew Walker
🧠 Science-Based · 🔍 Insight-Oriented
An engaging overview of sleep science and its impact on mental health.
Best for: improving sleep -
Come As You Are – Emily Nagoski
🧠 Science-Based · 🌿 Gentle
A research-based exploration of desire and sexual well-being.
Best for: understanding desire -
Digital Minimalism – Cal Newport
🛠️ Practical · 🔍 Insight-Oriented
Encourages a more intentional relationship with technology and attention.
Best for: focus and reducing distraction -
How Emotions Are Made – Lisa Feldman Barrett
🔍 Insight-Oriented · 🧠 Science-Based
A research-based perspective that expands how we understand emotional experience.
Best for: emotional flexibility -
Getting Unstuck from PTSD – Patricia Resick
🛠️ Practical · 🔥 Deeper Work · 🧠 Science-Based
Based on Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), focused on identifying and shifting trauma-related beliefs.
Best for: stuck points in trauma recovery -
DBT for Dating: Mindfulness and Emotional Skills for Sensitive Singles – Vanessa Claire Soleil
🛠️ Practical
A structured, skills-based guide to navigating dating with clarity, emotional regulation, and intention.
Best for: dating and emotional intensity -
When Things Fall Apart – Pema Chödrön
🧭 Philosophical · 🌿 Gentle
A reflective exploration of uncertainty and emotional difficulty.
Best for: life transitions, navigating uncertainty -
How to Build a Healthy Brain – Kimberley Wilson
🧠 Science-Based · 🛠️ Practical · 🔍 Insight-Oriented
A research-informed look at how sleep, nutrition, exercise, and daily habits influence mental health and long-term brain function.
Best for: understanding the role of lifestyle in emotional well-being -
The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook – Edmund Bourne
🛠️ Practical · 🧠 Science-Based
A comprehensive guide to managing anxiety using evidence-based tools.
Best for: structured support -
The Relaxation and Stress Reduction Workbook – Martha Davis et al.
🛠️ Practical · 🌿 Gentle
A wide range of techniques for calming the nervous system.
Best for: stress reduction
Books can be helpful, but not everyone learns best that way. These are a few podcasts, talks, and articles I recommend that offer thoughtful, grounded perspectives on mental health, relationships, and emotional well-being.
As with the books above, I tend to prioritize content that is evidence-informed, nuanced, and applicable to real life—not overly simplified or trend-driven.