Best Mental Health Resources That Therapists Recommend to Their Clients

Have you ever wondered if there is a key that unlocks the door to invaluable knowledge on how to cope with mental health struggles or life in general?  Did you try to repair a relationship with a book recommended by a friend or try to control your panic attacks with advice shared by a neighbor?  Besides asking your typical go-to guru, Google, what professionally recommended supports do you have to deal with depression, address your anxiety and communicate effectively with others?  Here are top resources that mental health experts recommend to their own clients.

Anxiety/Stress

Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most common conditions affecting approximately 18% of adults in the United States.  Therapists teach clients about the anxiety spiral; what we think affects how we feel, what we feel affects how we behave, how we behave affects us physically, relationally, etc. See below for highly recommended anxiety and stress resources. 

Books

The Feeling Good Handbook by David D. Burns

Change Your Brain-Change Your Life by Daniel Amen

When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chodron

Anxiety Relief For Teens by Regine Galanti

The Ten Best Ever Anxiety Management Techniques by Margaret Wehrenberg

APPS

Youper

CBT-I Coach 

MindDoc

Videos

Lessons from the Mental Health Hospital

Gifts

THE MINDFULNESS GAME

STRESS RELIEF AND ANTI-ANXITY TOOLS

MINDFULNESS DESK SCULPTURE

Grief and Loss

The loss of a loved one can derail you and the effects of the pain can be far-reaching. Those experiencing grief might have an impaired ability to function in some parts of daily life, even taking a toll on mental and physical health. The following supports can help guide you in your grief, and regain a sense of balance and eventually even peace. 

Book

It’s OK That You’re Not OK by Megan Devine

Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler

Through the Eyes of a Lion by Levi Lusko

The Other Side of Sadness by George A. Bonanno 

A Grace Disguised by Jerry L. Sittser

Videos

We don’t move on from grief, we move forward with it

Mood

Do you find yourself in an alternating pattern of emotional highs and lows? Use the following guides to identify how you are feeling and what you can do to regain emotional stability in your life.  

Books

Mind Over Mood by Dennis Greenberger and Christine A. Padesky

The Anger Workbook by Frank Minirth and Les Carter Good

Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy by David D. Burns

An Unquiet Mind by Kay Redfield Jamison

The Bipolar Survival Guide by David J Milkowitz

I Hate You Don’t Leave Me by Erin Johnston

APPS

MoodTools

FearTools

Videos

How to Practice Emotional First Aid

Gifts

FEELINGS WHEEL 

Relationships

Explore the dynamics of relationship patterns for growth, clarity, and a deeper understanding of interpersonal communication. Identify and address areas of interpersonal tension or ongoing conflict with these top relational supports.  

Books

Love is Never Enough by Aaron Beck

Codependent No More by Melody Beattie Marriage by David Schnarch  

The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman

The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner

Everybody Wins by Gary Chapman

Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix

After the Affair by Janis Abrahms Spring

Love Me Don’t Leave Me by Michelle Skeen

Gifts

OUR MOMENTS Couples: 100 Thought Provoking Conversation Starters

 APPS

Gottman Card Decks

Trauma

Have you survived a trauma or scary experience and are looking to heal? Stop seeing the world through the eyes of fear and rediscover safety in your environment.  These resources will help you learn skills to help you cope as you process your traumatic experiences.  

Books

The Body Keeps Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Getting Past Your Past by Francine Shapiro

Waking the Tiger by Peter Levine

The Courage to Heal by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis

Healing Collective Trauma by Thomas Hubl

Healing Developmental Trauma by Laurence Heller Ph.D and Aline LaPierre

The Journey from Abandonment to Healing by Susan Anderson

APPS

CPT Coach

Breathe2Relax

Self-Care

We have been given this gift, known as life, and it can be a doozy to navigate some days. Giving ourselves the time and space to recuperate and recharge, especially during challenging times, is essential to our health and happiness. Put your feet up, relax and snatch up one of these self-care inspirations.

Books

Give Yourself a Break by Kim Fredrickson 

The More or Less Definitive Guide to Self-Care by Anna Borges

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No by Henry Cloud

APPS

Headspace

Calm

Bloom

Gifts

AROMATHERAPY DIFFUSER AND OIL SET

WELLNESS ESSENTIAL OIL ROLLERBALL SET

Podcasts

THE ADULT CHAIR

Imposter Syndrome

Do you feel inadequate at your job, insecure in your relationships, and question if you really belong? If you struggle with low self-esteem, perfectionism, and insecurities, you might be experiencing what social psychologists call Imposter Syndrome. Check out these tips and tricks to address your distorted thoughts and tear down the faulty feelings of fraud.  

Books

The Middle Finger Project by Ash Ambirge

The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Valerie Young

The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown

Videos

The Power of Vulnerability 

The Surprising Solution to the Imposter Syndrome

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