From Amy Poehler’s first memoir to a new Stephen King novel, there were some wonderful new releases in the world of books in 2014. Here at GoodTherapy.org, we’re interested specifically in the titles related to mental health, psychology, and psychotherapy—and there were many published this year! To help us find the best and most beneficial, we solicited the help of our panel of Topic Expert therapists.
Many responded, and we compiled only those titles published in 2014 on topics ranging from self-esteem to trauma to adolescents to sexuality. Our Topic Experts’ recommendations are listed below, many of which are helpful to both professionals and consumers.
If you read any of these titles, let us know what you thought. Or, leave us a comment with your own favorite mental health-related books of 2014.
The Body Keeps the Score
By Bessel van der Kolk, MD: In this book Bessel emphasizes the importance of integrating physical and somatic practices into trauma treatment. He describes trauma in a clear and relatable manner, and explores the impact of progressive treatment methods including EMDR, yoga, and neurofeedback. His writing style makes the material accessible and relatable, and the wisdom of his clinical experience shines through the science and theory he shares. I would highly recommend this book to any trauma therapist, healer, or survivor looking for a grounded and integrative approach to healing. —Lisa Danylchuk, MEd, LMFT, E-RYT
Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain
By Daniel J. Siegel, MD: This book helped me to understand the effects of poor attachment for adults. It gave me tools to help my clients connect to their inner resources and heal wounds left from failed relationships. It helps us to understand how to attain secure attachment, and hence, experience more fulfilling relationships with others—and with oneself. —Mark Loewen, LPC
The Upside of Your Dark Side
By Todd Kashdan, PhD, and Robert Biswas-Diener, PhD: Sometimes people go to therapy and want to get rid of anxiety like it’s a hot potato. Some feel almost guilty for not being happy. This book points out that our dark sides can be incredibly helpful. —Kelley Garry Marschall, MA
Constructive Wallowing: How to Beat Bad Feelings by Letting Yourself Have Them
By Tina Gilbertson, MA, LPC: “Wallow better” is the message of this fun-loving book. It’s chock full of examples and exercises to help people learn strategies to accept how the mind works. —Kelley Garry Marschall, MA
Male Pelvic Fitness: Optimizing Sexual and Urinary Health
By Andrew Siegel, MD: This book discusses pelvic floor health in men and offers specific suggestions for how men can improve their sexual performance. It also comes with an exercise program that is designed to teach men how to strengthen and gain control of their pelvic floor muscles. For any man who has tried medical interventions such as Viagra or Cialis and still finds it difficult to maintain an erection, this book is a helpful non-medicine-based approach to improving erections. —Angela Lee Skurtu, MEd, LMFT
14 Days of Foreplay
By Monica Lieser, MMFT, LMFT, LPC: I think this is a good book to help couples try to rejuvenate the spark in their relationship. It offers day-by-day tips and is presented in an easy-to-read-and-follow format. —Angela Lee Skurtu, MEd, LMFT
Animal Madness: How Anxious Dogs, Compulsive Parrots, and Elephants in Recovery Help Us Understand Ourselves
By Laurel Braitman: Humans aren’t the only beings in the animal kingdom who experience mental health issues. If you’ve ever suspected your dog might be anxious, or that your cat is experiencing grief, you may very well be correct. Animal Madness sheds light on the psychological symptoms that occur in animals, and what we can learn from their experiences and recovery. —Lynn Somerstein, PhD, E-RYT
The Trauma of Everyday Life
By Dr. Mark Epstein: Dr. Epstein brings a very real human face to the various types of trauma, but he doesn’t stop there. Dr. Epstein illuminates the transformative potential of trauma that can allow the traumatized person to be cracked open a little wider, live a little deeper, and engage with a newfound empathy for others who suffer. —Lisa Vallejos, MA, LPC, NCC
© Copyright 2014 GoodTherapy.org. All rights reserved. Permission to publish granted by A GoodTherapy.org Announcement
The preceding article was solely written by the author named above. Any views and opinions expressed are not necessarily shared by GoodTherapy.org. Questions or concerns about the preceding article can be directed to the author or posted as a comment below.
